MANURE SOURCE, SEASON AND TIME OF APPLICATION ON FRUIT YIELD, QUALITY AND NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY OF GOLDEN MELON

Abstract

ABSTRACT Golden melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals. Optimizing manure application using various sources and appropriate application time can enhance its fruit yield and nutrient use efficiency without jeopardizing quality. This study evaluated the influence of manure source and time of application for optimum yield, fruit quality attributes and nutrient use efficiency of golden melon at different seasons. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farms, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State (Latitude 7o 25'N, Longitude 3o 25'E) in the early and late seasons of 2023 and 2024. The experiment was in split plots fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated four times. Main plot treatments consisted of manure source: Cow dung, Poultry manure, Goat manure and Pig dung applied at 10 t. ha-1 each. Sub-plot was time of application at 1, 2 and 3 Weeks Before Planting (WBP) as well as same day planting. Data were collected on average fruit weight, total yield and fruit proximate composition using standard procedures. Nutrient use efficiency parameters calculated were agronomic efficiency (AE) and partial factor productivity (PFP). Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance using GenStat Discovery and means were separated using Least Significant Differences at 5% probability level. Yield and proximate composition of golden melon were higher during the early season relative to late season production. In the early season, golden melon cultivated with poultry manure applied at 1 WBP had highest fruit yield (16.60 ± 2.00 t. ha-1) while those cultivated with cow dung applied at 1 WBP had highest fruit dry matter (5.71 ± 1.00 %), carbohydrate (70.27 ± 2.00%), AE of nitrogen (49.45 ± 10.00 kg. ha-1), potassium (36.15 ± 3.00 kg. ha-1) and highest PFP of nitrogen (50.20 ± 13.00). During the late season, cultivation with poultry or goat manure applied at 2 WBP had highest fruit yield (4.38 ± 3.00 t. ha-1) while cultivation with goat manure applied at 2 WBP had highest crude protein (7.01 ± 1.00 %), carbohydrate (69.85 ± 2.00%), AE of phosphorus (42.55 ± 20.00 kg. ha-1) and potassium (11.92 ± 6.00 kg. ha-1). In conclusion, cultivation of golden melon in the early season with 10 t. ha-1 poultry manure or cow dung applied at 1 WBP gave optimum fruit yield and proximate composition. Cultivation with cow or pig dung applied at 2 WBP was effective for optimum nutrient use efficiency. In the late season, cultivation with 10 t. ha-1 poultry manure or goat manure at 2 WBP gave optimum fruit yield and proximate composition. Goat manure applied at 2 WBP was efficient for optimum nutrient use efficiency. For fruit yield and proximate composition, cultivating golden melon with poultry manure, goat manure or cow dung applied 1 or 2 WBPis optimum and is recommended while for optimum nutrient use efficiency, cultivation with goat manure applied 2 WBP is recommended for early and late season productions.