ABSTRACT
This study examines the comparative study of yield and growth of two (2) varieties of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) cultivated in Umudike, Abia state, under natural condition. Watermelon belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its centre of origin has been traced to both the Kalahari and Sahara deserts in Africa and these areas have been regarded as point of diversification to other parts of the world. The experiment was carried out under field conditions. Completely randomized design was employed for the experiment which comprise of two (2) different varieties of watermelon (Raider52 and Wantoma60). The land used size was 20 by 25 metre in size, on a sandy clay soil. The total of 26 stands was made for the cultivation with 2 seeds per stand. The planting was carried out under zero application of manure or fertilizer, it was performed under natural condition and in this case, nothing was applied to it. All the stands were watered every day; morning and most times, evening. Most of the seeds sprouted from the 5th day after planting. The different parameters studied were vine length, number of flowers, number of fruits, size of fruits and weight of fruits. The result shows that the growth was influenced by duration (week) in which it has lasted. The growth and some yield of the two (2) different Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) from the research carried out shows that Wantoma60 had 0.18m over Raider52 with 0.17m under size of fruit, with significant different at (P<0.01). The weight of fruit was 1.16g over 1.21g for Raider52 and Wantoma60. Raider52 had more vine length and number of fruit of 3.36m and 1.92m over Wantoma60 with 1.45m and 1.85m, though it had no significant different at (P<0.05). Wantoma60 had more number of flowers with 2.05 over Raider52 with 2.04, at no significant different of (P<0.05) respectively
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of contents v
List of tables vi
Abstract vii
CHAPTER ONE 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Taxonomy of Watermelon 5
1.2 Nutritional
Value of Watermelon 5
1.3 Objective of this study 7
1.4 Justification of
the Study 8
CHAPTER TWO 9
LITERATURE REVIEW 9
2.1 Origin and
Distribution of Watermelon 9
2.2 Historical
Review of Watermelon 9
2.3 Organic Farming Techniques 11
2.3.1 Organic Fertilizer 11
2.3.2 Compost 11
2.3.3 Green Manure 12
2.3.4 Animal Manure 13
2.3.5 Mulching 13
2.3.6 Weed Control 13
2.4 Benefit of Organic Farming 14
2.41 Benefit of Organic Farming to the
Environment 14
2.5 Watermelon Varieties 14
2.6. Economic Importance and uses of
Watermelon 17
CHAPTER THREE 18
3.0 Materials and Methods 18
3.1 Study Area 18
3.2 Design of Experiment 18
3.3 Collection and Samples Identification 18
3.4 Natural Condition of Farming 19
3.5 Land Preparation 19
3.6 Cultural Conditions 19
3.7
Measurement of Growth Parameters 20
3.8 Soil Collection/Analysis 20
CHAPTER FOUR 22
4.0 RESULTS 22
CHAPTER FIVE 25
5.0 Discussion, Conclusion
and Recommendation 25
5.1 Discussion 25
5.2 Conclusion 27
5.3 Recommendation 27
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
LISTS OF TABLES
Table 1: Taxonomical Classification of Watermelon. 4
Table 2: Varieties of watermelon 16
Table 3: Results of Soil Analysis in Umudike. 20
Table 4: Week after planting as parameter in
determining the different varieties performances in study. 22
Table 5: Mean showing the effect of two (2) watermelon
grown under natural
Condition
at week 14. 23
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Watermelon
[Citrullus lanatus Thunb.] belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae (Schippers, 2000). Its centre of origin has been
traced to both the Kalahari and Sahara deserts in Africa (Jarret et al.,
1996) and these areas have been regarded as point of diversification to other
parts of the world (Schippers, 2000). In Nigeria, though there are no official
figures recorded for its production, the crop has a wide distribution as a
garden crop, while as a commercial vegetable production; its cultivation is
confined to the drier savanna region of the Nigeria (Anon, 2006).
In order to obtain high yield of water melon,
there is need to augment the nutrient status of the soil to meet the crop’s
need and thereby maintaining the fertility of the soil. One of the ways of
increasing the nutrient status is by boosting the soil nutrient content either
with the use of organic materials such poultry manure, animal waste and use of
compost or with the use of inorganic fertilizers (Dauda et al., 2005).
Watermelon is a heavy feeder of nitrogen and therefore required a liberal
application of 200kg. NPK compound fertilizer to be applied before sowing, followed
by application of nitrogenous fertilizers at 5 weeks at intervals up to
flowering stage (Rice et al., 1986; Schippers, 2000). Inorganic
fertilizers are the most important sources of nitrogen. Adequate supply of
nitrogen is associated with high photosynthetic activity, vigorous vegetative growth
and a dark green colour of the leaves (John et al., 2004). Extensive use
of inorganic fertilizer has a depressing effect on yield. This causes reduction
in number of fruits, delays and reduces fruit setting, which subsequently delay
ripening and leads to heavy vegetative growth (Aliyu et al., 1992; John et
al., 2004).
Natural
and Organic farming works in harmony with nature rather than against it. This
involves using techniques to achieve good crop yields without harming the
natural environment or the people who live and work in it. Organic farming
helps for recycling and composition of crop wastes and animal manures. Organic
farming involves crop rotation, mulching, application of green manures and
legumes helps to improve the soil fertility. Organic farming method helps in
increasing genetic diversity. It encourages useful predators that eat pests
(1998, HDRA).
Through
careful planning and using all the other techniques available should be
possible to avoid the need for any crop spraying. If pests are still a problem natural
products can be used to manage pests, including sprays made from chilies,
onions, garlic or neem (1998, HDRA).
The
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines organic farming as a
farming system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically
compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed
additives to the maximum extent feasible, or the farming system that relies on
crop rotations, residues, animal manure, legumes, green manure, off-farm
organic wastes, and the aspects of biological pest control measures, soil productivity
and tilt, to supply plant nutrients and to control insects, weeds and other
pests (Alvares et al., 1999). According to the Organic Organization
(HDRA, 1998), organic farming involves using techniques to achieve good crop
yields without harming the natural environment or the people who live and work
in it. Organic farming works in harmony with nature rather than against it. It
keeps and builds good soil structure and fertility as well as controls pests,
diseases and weeds. Organic farming also involves careful use of water
resources and good animal husbandry.
Poultry
manure is relatively resistant to microbial degradation. However, it is
essential for establishing and maintaining optimum soil physical condition and
important for plant growth. Poultry manure is also very cheap and effective as
a good source of nitrogen for sustainable crop production, but its availability
remains an important issue due to its bulky nature, while inorganic fertilizer
is no longer within the reach of poor-resource farmers due to its high cost (Rahman,
2004). However, John et al., (2004) had advocated for an integral use of
organic manure and inorganic fertilizers for the supply of adequate quantities
of plant nutrients required to sustain maximum crop productivity and
profitability, while minimizing environmental impact from nutrient use. According
to Beckman (2001) the use of manure application enhances soil productivity,
increases the soil organic carbon content, soil micro-organisms, improves soil crumb
structure, the nutrient status of the soil and enhances crop yield. The
application of nitrogen a major component of poultry manure has been reported
to improve the yield of eggplant (Dauda et al., 2005). Aliyu (2000)
reported that the use of farm yard manure (FYM) plus poultry manure has resulted
in higher fruit yield of eggplant.
There
is prospect for production of the watermelon in Nigeria (especially, Lafia Nassarawa
State, Nigeria) as indicated by the demand and the price it commands. However,
there is a dearth of information relative as to the scale of production, yield
potential and cultivation under different fertilization status in the study
area.
Watermelon
(Citrullus lanatus) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the
world at large. According to FAO (2011) statistics, China is the world’s
leading producer of watermelon. The top twenty leading producers of watermelon
produced a collective volume of approximately 92.7 million metric tonnes in
2011, of which China produced 75%. Turkey, Iran and Brazil commanded a
production share of 4.7%, 3.5% and 2.4% respectively in 2011. Nigeria produced
more watermelons in 2011 (139,223 tons) than the leading fresh produce African
exporter, Kenya, which produced 66,196 tons and South Africa that produced
77,993 tons (This Day Live, 2014). There are over 1,200 varieties of watermelon
worldwide and quite a number of these varieties are also cultivated in Africa
(Zohary and Hopf, 2000). The global consumption of the crop is greater than
that of any other cucurbit.
Watermelon
is a tender, warm season vegetable belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is
enjoyed by many people across the world as fresh fruit. It is highly nutritious
and thirst-quenching and also contains vitamins C and A in the form of
disease-fighting beta-carotene. Watermelon is rich in carotenoids, some of the
carotenoids of which include lycopene, phytofluene, phytoene, beta-carotene,
lutein and neurosporene.
Lycopene is what gives watermelon its rich red colour and beta-carotene work in
conjunction with other plant chemicals not found in vitamin/mineral
supplements. Potassium is also available in it which is believed to help in the
control of blood pressure and possibly prevention of stroke (De Lannoy, 2001).
Table 1: Taxonomical
Classification of Watermelon
Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Rosids
Orders: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Citrullus
Species: C. lanatus
Variety: lanatus
|
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon
|
1.1 Taxonomy of Watermelon
Watermelon
(Citrullus lanatus) has 22 chromosomes (2n=22, x=11). The
genus Citrullus belongs to the sub-tribe Benincasinae. In 1930, L.H.
Bailey proposed dividing cultivated watermelon C. vulgaris, into
botanical variety lanatus and botanical variety citroides. The
genus Citrullus has been studied taxonomically and recently has been
divided into four species: C. lanatus (syn. C. vulgaris), C. ecirrhosus,
C. colocynthis, and C. rehmii. C. ecirrhosus is more
closely related to C. lanatus than it is to C. colocynthis.
There are two other closely related species: Praecitrullus fistulosus from
India and Pakistan, and Acanthosicyos naudinianus from southern Africa.
Other members of the Cucurbitaceae with 22 chromosomes include Gymnopetalum,
Lagenaria, Momordica, Trichosanthes, and Melothria. None appear to
be closely related to watermelon. Watermelon cultivars are available in many
fruit sizes, shapes, and rind patterns. Fruit size of the edible flesh type can
be ice box, small, medium, large, or giant. Fruit size is inherited in polygenic
fashion. Fruit shape can be round/oval or blocky/elongate. Rind pattern can be
solid dark green, solid medium green, solid light green, gray (speckled light green),
wide striped, medium striped, or narrow striped (HDRA, 1998).
1.2
Nutritional Value of Watermelon
Watermelon
is 92% water and 8% sugar. It is rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that gives it,
its characteristic color. It is fat free (Medicine Net, 2004). Watermelon can
be processed and used for juice syrups and sweets. From the seeds it is
possible to extract oil rich in vitamin D. Their sugar content boosts our
energy so we are more positive in any aspect. High water content cleans human
organism and does well for our urinary and digestive system. It is obvious that
using watermelons in our regular diet is very healthy as it has positive curing
effect on coronary, liver, gold bladder and kidney patients. Half kg of fruit
can satisfy our daily need in vitamin C. Other than 85% water content it
contains 7-15% of sugar, also minerals, vitamins and little bit of proteins as
well. Vitamins present are carotenes, vitamin B complex and traces of C vitamin.
Mineral content present are potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc,
iron, and cuprum. It is a good source of carotenes and lycopens as well. Apart
from nutrient value, it is also important as natural medicine source
(Ignjatovic, 2005).
Watermelon is rich
in carotenoids. Some of the carotenoids in watermelon include lycopene,
phytofluene, phytoene, beta-carotene, lutein and neurosporene. Lycopene makes
up the majority of the carotenoids in watermelon. The carotenoid content varies
depending on the variety of the watermelon. Depending on the variety,
carotenoid content in red fleshed
watermelon varies from 37 – 121 mg/kg fresh weight, whereas lycopene varies
from 35 – 112 mg/kg fresh weight (HonCod, 2008).
Not only is watermelon packed with thirst-quenching
water and natural sweetness, it is an excellent source of two powerful
antioxidants: lycopene, and beta carotene. Lycopene is what gives watermelon it’s
rich, red colour and is associated with reduced risk of developing muscular
degeneration, prostate challenges, and a variety of other degenerative
conditions. Beta carotene is another powerful antioxidant that can help to
protect your cells against damage by free radicals (Kim, 2008).
Watermelon seeds are excellent sources of protein
(both essential and non-essential amino acids) and oil. Watermelon seed is
about 35% protein, 50% oil, and 5% dietary fiber. Watermelon seed is also rich
in micro- and macro-nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron,
phosphorous, zinc etc. (HonCod, 2008).
The seeds are eaten as a snack or added to other
dishes and may be roasted and seasoned. The rind is edible and may be
stir-fried, pickled or even grilled. Beyond these values, the watermelon plant
provides aesthetic delight and the fruit appeals to the senses of taste, sight
and touch. Ecologically, the watermelon flowers provide a source of nectar and
pollen for bees (New World Encyclopedia, 2008).
In some African cuisines, however, watermelons are
served as a cooked vegetable. Watermelon seeds are ground into flour and baked
as bread in some parts of India. In addition, watermelon is also used as feed
for livestock (New World Encyclopedia, 2008).
Watermelon has the highest lycopene content among
fresh fruits and vegetables; watermelon contains 60 % more lycopene than
tomato. Lycopene in the human diet is associated with prevention of heart
attacks and certain cancers. Watermelon rind contains an important natural
compound called citrulline, an amino acid that the human body makes from food.
Citrulline is found in high concentration in the liver, and is involved with
athletic ability and functioning of the immune system (Perkins-Veazie et al.
2001).
1.3 Objective of this study
The broad objective of this study was to examine the yield and some
growth parameters of two (2) varieties of watermelon cultivated using organic
method. The specific objectives were to:
i. To determine the growth rate of two (2) different varieties of
watermelon on study area.
ii. To also compare their yield parameters on the study area, under the
same weather condition, using organic farming method.
iii. Identify and describe the constraints to watermelon production in
the study area.
iv. To compare the growth of two (2) different varieties of watermelon
without any organic input.
1.4
Justification of the Study
The objective of this study is to provide necessary framework
to the present watermelon producers by critically examining and observing the
yield and some growth parameters of two (2) different varieties, using organic
farming method (under natural method, without any input like fertilizer, green
manure, mulching and etc.), so as to improve on their profit margin. Watermelon
has the potential of not only increasing the income and standard of living of
the producers but also contributing to the nation’s GDP. However, its overall
production inefficiency can seriously affect the production and realization of
its potential. The profitability of this agricultural enterprise could only be
improved upon if the current level of productive activities is known. Moreover,
the cost effectiveness of inorganic or conventional method of cultivating the
watermelon may have prevented prospective large-scale farmers from venturing
into this business. Therefore, any resources channel in the investigation to
compare the yield and some growth parameters of two (2) varieties of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon)
cultivated using organic method will not be a waste.
Login To Comment