Optimizing yield, nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency in fluted pumpkin through fertilizer microdosing
Abstract, Intriduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgments
Keywords:
Keywords: Telfairia occidentalis, biomass, fertilizer, microdosing
Abstract
Due to severely weathered soils and copious amounts of rainfall, the timing and rate of fertilizer application to enhance fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) yields, nitrogen use efficiency, and recovery have been key concerns in Southwestern Nigeria. The experiment was conducted using a 2 x 2 x 5 Randomized Complete Block Split Plot Design (RCBSPD) with four varieties. Ilesa and Ogbomoso made up the main plot, whereas the timing of urea fertilizer application and the five nitrogen levels 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha-1 made up sub-plots. The base application of 5 tons ha-1 organic fertilizer was added to (0, 20, 40, 60 kg ha-1) a week prior to planting. We calculated the biomass yield, recoveries, and nitrogen utilization efficiency. Regarding control, 20, 80 (kg N ha-1) urea, the fresh yield in tons ha-1 were 7.7, 9.4, 10.7, and 3.3, 8.3, 9.5 (kg N ha-1) for Ilesa and Ogbomoso. The highest nitrogen use efficiency (60.26 kg N ha-1) was obtained at the rate of 40 kg N ha-1 in Ilesa, and at the rate of 20 kg N ha-1 (61.91 kg N ha-1) in Ogbomoso. Higher fresh yield was obtained in Ilesa compared to the yield in Ogbomoso. It was determined that the best method for producing fluted pumpkin in Southwest Nigeria was to combine 5 tons of organic fertilizer with a microdosing of 20 to 40 kg N ha-1 as urea.
References
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Sumner, M.E. and Miller, W.P. (1996). Cation exchange capacity and exchange coefficient In D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, P.A. Helmke, R.H. Loeppert, P. N. Soltanpour, M. A. Tabatabai, C. T. Johnston, M. E. Sumner eds, Methods of soil analysis. Part 3. Chemical method. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy. Madison, WI., pp 475-490
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Thomas, G.W. (1996). Soil pH and soil acidity., In: D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, P.A. Helmke, R.H. Loeppert, P. N. Soltanpour, M. A. Tabatabai, C. T. Johnston, & M. E. Sumner eds, Methods of soil analysis. Part 3. Chemical methods. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI., pp 475-490.
Tovihoudji, P.G., Akponikpè, P.B.I., Agbossou, E.K., Bertin, P. and Bielders, C.L. (2017). Fertilizer microdosing enhances maize yields but may exacerbate nutrient mining in maize cropping systems in northern Benin. Field Crop Research. 213, 130-142. doi: 10.1016/j. fcr.2017.08.003.
Walkley, A. & Black, I.A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37:29-38. doi: 10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003.
Walters, A. (2020). Impact of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and associated revenues in no-tillage Pumpkin. Horticulture. 55, 522-527. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI14512-19.
Whitbread, A., Sennhenn, A. and Grotelüschen, K. (2013). Nitrogen-use-efficiency in Maize based farming systems in Malawi: A simulation study and meta-analysis of literature. Crop Production Systems in the Tropics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences University of Goettinge Grisebachstr, Göttingen, Germany., pp 1-20.
Anonymous, (2014). Vegnews: Scaling up of synergized indigenous vegetables and fertilizer micro-dosing. Innovations for food security and family economic development. Nigerian Canada Vegetable project. Ile-Ife, Nigeria. www.microveg.org.
Bala, A. (2015). Description of cropping systems, climate, and soils in Nigeria. Global yields Cap Atlas Nigeria, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. www.yieldgap.org.12-02-2018., pp.1-2.
Black, C.A. (1986). Methods of soil analysis. Part I. Physical and mineralogical properties including statistics of measurement and samplings Part II. Chemical and Microbiological properties. Agronomy series. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI., pp 1085-1122.
Bouyoucous, G.H. (1962). Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analysis of soils. Agronomy Journal. 54, 464-465. doi: 10.2134/agronj1962.00021962005400050028x.
Bray, R.H. & Kurtz, L.T. (1965). Determination of total, organic, and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science. 59, 39-45. doi: 10.1097/00010694-194501000-00006.
Bremner, J.M. 1996. Nitrogen-total, In: D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, P.A. Helmke, R.H. Loeppert, P., Soltanpour, N., Tabatabai, M. A., Johnston, C. T. and Sumner M. E. Methods of soil analysis. Part 3. Chemical method. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy Madison, WI., 1085-1122p.
Bremner, J.M. & Keeney, D.R. (1965). Steam distillation methods for determination of ammonium, nitrate and nitrite. Analytical Chimica. Acta. 32, 485-495. doi: 10.1016/S0003-2670(00)88973-4.
Ciampitti, I.A., Murrell, S.T., Tuinstra, M., Camberato, J.J., Xia, Y., & Friedemann, P. (2013). Physiological dynamics of maize nitrogen uptake and partitioning in response to plant density and N-stress factors: II. Reproductive phase. Crop. Science. 53, 2588-2602. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2013.01.0041.
Eivazi, A. & Hbibi, F. (2013). Evaluation of nitrogen use efficiency in corn (Zea mays L.)
Varieties. 21, 63-68. doi: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2013.21.1.2423.
Gee, G.W. & Or, D.B. (2002). Particle size analysis, In: Dane J.H. and G.C. Topp (eds.). Method of Soil Analysis Part 4, Physical methods. Soil Science Society of America Book Series No. 5, Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy Madison, WI., pp 255-293.
Gupta, S., Gowri, B.S., Lakshmi, A. & Prakash, A. (2000). Solar drying of coriander and methi leaves. J. F. Science Technology. 23, 639-641.
Idowu, M.K., Oyedele, D.J., Adekunle, O.K., Akinremi, O.O. & Eilers, B. (2014). Effects of planting methods and seed density on vegetable yield and nutrient composition of Solanum macrocarpon and Solanum scabrumin southwest Nigeria. Food Nutritional Science 5, 1185-1195. doi: 10.4236/fns.2014.513129.
Idowu, M.K., Oyedele, D.J. & Oladele, A.O. (2017). Influence of nitrogen fertilizer application on organic carbon content of underutilized vegetable grown soils in southwestern Nigeria. Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon, Rome, Italy, 21-23 March 2017.
Jones, J.B. (1998). Soil test methods: Past, present, and future use of soil extractants. Communication in Soil Science. 29, 1543-1552. doi: 10.1080/ 00103629809370048.
Karthik, V., Selvakumar, P., Ponnusamy, S., Dai Viet, N., Jaisankar, S., Dhanaba, S. &
Balakrishnan, S. (2021). Advanced techniques to remove phosphates and nitrates from waters: A review. Environmental Chemistry Letters. 19, 3165–3180. doi: 10.1007/s10311-021-01239-2.
Kuo S. (1996). Phosphorus, In: D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, P.A. Helmke, R.H. Loeppert, P. N. Soltanpour, M. A. Tabatabai, C. T. Johnston, & M. E. Sumner. Methods of soil analysis. Part 3. Chemical method. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy Madison, WI., pp 869-919.
Nelson, D.W. & Sommers, L.E. (1996). Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. In:
Page, A.L. et aL. (eds.). Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Agronomy Monogronomy. 9. 2nd ed. ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI., pp 539-579.
Nishida, C., Uauy, R., Rumanyika, S. & Shetty, P. (2004). The Joint WHO/FAO Expert consultation on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic disease: Process, product and policy Implications. Public Health Nutrition. 7, 245-250. doi: 10.1079/phn2003592.
Olaniyi, J.O., Modupeola, T.O., Idowu-Agida, O.O., Bidmos, F.A., Egbekunle, K.O. & Ogunsakin, I.F. (2014). Effects of nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizer on yield, nutrient uptake and nutritional values of Telfairia occidentalis Hook f. American Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization Technology 4, 18-26. doi: 10.3923/ajpnft.2014.18.26.
Oluoch, M.O., Pichop, G.N., Silué, D., Abukutsa-Onyango, M.O., Diouf, M. &
Shackleton, C.M. (2009). Production and harvesting systems for African indigenous vegetables, In: Shackleton, C.M., W. Pasquini, and A.W. Drescher (eds.). African indigenous vegetables in urban agriculture. Earthscan, London, UK., pp 145-176.
Sally L., Dave, C., Demie M. & Teferi, T. (2008). Soil science: Step-by-step field analysis. Soil Science Society of America. Madison, WI. pp 159-180 doi: 10.2136/2008. Soilsciencestepbystep.
Schaller, (2020). Influence of rootstock and site on nitrate accumulation. Mitt. Klos. 36, 238-244.
Sumner, M.E. and Miller, W.P. (1996). Cation exchange capacity and exchange coefficient In D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, P.A. Helmke, R.H. Loeppert, P. N. Soltanpour, M. A. Tabatabai, C. T. Johnston, M. E. Sumner eds, Methods of soil analysis. Part 3. Chemical method. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy. Madison, WI., pp 475-490
Thomas, G.W. (1982). Exchangeable cations. In: page A. L Miller. R. H., & Keeney. D. R., eds, Part 2, 2nd ed. Agronomy Monographs. 9. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI., pp 159-165.
Thomas, G.W. (1996). Soil pH and soil acidity., In: D.L. Sparks, A.L. Page, P.A. Helmke, R.H. Loeppert, P. N. Soltanpour, M. A. Tabatabai, C. T. Johnston, & M. E. Sumner eds, Methods of soil analysis. Part 3. Chemical methods. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI., pp 475-490.
Tovihoudji, P.G., Akponikpè, P.B.I., Agbossou, E.K., Bertin, P. and Bielders, C.L. (2017). Fertilizer microdosing enhances maize yields but may exacerbate nutrient mining in maize cropping systems in northern Benin. Field Crop Research. 213, 130-142. doi: 10.1016/j. fcr.2017.08.003.
Walkley, A. & Black, I.A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37:29-38. doi: 10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003.
Walters, A. (2020). Impact of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and associated revenues in no-tillage Pumpkin. Horticulture. 55, 522-527. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI14512-19.
Whitbread, A., Sennhenn, A. and Grotelüschen, K. (2013). Nitrogen-use-efficiency in Maize based farming systems in Malawi: A simulation study and meta-analysis of literature. Crop Production Systems in the Tropics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences University of Goettinge Grisebachstr, Göttingen, Germany., pp 1-20.
Published
2025/07/02
Section
Original Scientific Paper