Vegetative growth and yield of two watermelon varieties (Citrullus lanatus) as influenced by different organic fertilizers

Abstract

The demand for watermelon for consumption in a fresh form as a source of minerals and vitamins is on the increase. Consequently, any agronomic approach to promoting the productivity and quality of watermelon is a technique that needs to be studied. Thus, an experiment was conducted at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s research farm to compare the impact of various types of organic fertilizer’s (cow manure, sheep manure, poultry manure, goat manure, fish waste, vermicompost, and dolomite) on the growth and yield of two watermelon varieties. A total of sixty-four (64) experimental pots were arranged in a CRD layout and in factorial design of which eight organic fertilizers were used as main factors, and two varieties (V) of watermelon as sub-factors, which was replicated four times. Results of this study showed that the New Dragon variety treated with poultry fertilizer produced significantly higher results in vine length at 4 WAP (79.84 cm), the number of leaves (26.0), LAI (0.77), chlorophyll content at 6 and 8 WAP (60.1 and 66.6 SPAD respectively), days to 50% flowering (20.0 days) and weight of fruits (15.2 t/Ha). Moreso, the seaweed-extract treated New Dragon watermelon variety produced a significantly higher number of female flowers (3.75). Summarily, the New Dragon variety (red-fleshed) recorded higher results for both growth and yield characteristics than the Golden Delight (yellow-fleshed) variety of watermelon. Correlation analysis between morphological and yield parameters showed that yield parameters positively correlated with growth and development. It is recommended that the New Dragon variety of watermelon treated with poultry manure gives the best results