Authors : O.J.Ayodele , S.O. Omotoso and C.O. Akinrinsola
Abstract: Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of P application on egusi grown in two Alfisols soils at Ibadan in the subhumid zone of South-Western Nigeria. There were five P treatments (0, 10, 0, 0, 40 kg P.ha 1), applied as single superphosphate (SSP, 18% P205). The treatments were replicated four times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. The result indicated that fruit and seed (egusi) yields increased significantly (p>0.05), 0 kgP.ha 1 produced highest yield in 1999 and did not differ from higher rates up to 40 kgP.ha-1 in 2000. Seed yield increased in relation to the significant improvement in fruit number plant 1, average fruit size and weight. Yield components, leaf N, P, K and S, seed P and S, oil and protein content increased significantly with P application whereas leaf and seed Ca level declined. The substantial increases in seed yield, oil yield and protein content justify the recommendation of 16-20 kgP.ha 1 for optimum egusi seed production.
O.J.Ayodele , S.O. Omotoso and C.O. Akinrinsola , 2006. Phosphorus Fertilizer use in Melon (Egusi) Seed Production: Effects on Yield, Oil and Protein Content and Nutrient Composition. Agricultural Journal, 1: 216-220.