GROWTH, YIELD AND VARIANCE COMPONENTS OF WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus) GROWN ON LIME (CaCO3)-AMENDED ACIDIC SOIL OF SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA:

EKEMINI EDET OBOK; Francis Ekpiken; Joyce Akpan; Francis Nwagwu; Macauley Ittah; Donatus Uwah

Dr Obok Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6971-6101
Francis Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar
Joyce Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar
Francis Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar
Macauley Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar
Donatus Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess growth and yield responses of watermelon to lime application in acid soil of Calabar. The experiment was a 3 × 3 factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Varietal differences (Heracles F₁, Kaolack and Sugar Baby), lime (CaCO₃) rates (0 t ha^-1, 2.7 t ha^-1 and 5.7 t ha^-1) and their interactions effect on growth and yield traits of watermelon were studied. Heracles F₁ and Kaolack outperformed Sugar Baby (p ≤ 0.05) in growth and yield. Lime rates 2.7 t ha^-1 and 5.7 t ha^-1 increased the initial soil pH (4.6) by 21.74 % and 43.48 %, respectively. Vine length, number of leaves, transverse and longitudinal sections of the fruits and sugar content of the fruits had ≥ 50 % heritability, a useful index in the selection of choice growth and yield traits in watermelon. Multi-location studies are recommended to give further insights to this pilot study.

Author Biographies

Dr Obok, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar

Francis, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar

Joyce, Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar

Francis, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar

Macauley, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar

Donatus, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar

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