Response of dry season garden egg (Solanium melongena) to watering regime and organic mulching levels in Okigwe, Southeastern Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research - Year 2018, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
Rain fed garden egg cultivation is dominant in the farming systems of Okigwe southeastern Nigeria. Farmers seldom cultivate garden egg during dry season in the study area due to low soil moisture. This study was therefore designed to determine the level of water requirement and mulching level that could guarantee off season cultivation of garden egg in Okigwe. The dry season field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design, replicated three times in 7 × 4 factorial combinations. The factor A treatments was watering regimes (0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000 L/ha) while the factor B was four organic (sawdust) mulching levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all the weed infestation, growth and yield parameters. The result also showed increase in mulching levels with significant reduction in weed density and biomass. The application of 1500 L/ha produced 19.13 and 18.93 t/ha fruits respectively. The least fruit yield 9.56 and 9.11 t/ha respectively, was from the control (no irrigation) treatment. The application of 3000 L/ha of irrigation water produced 1-53% and 2-56% more fruit yield than other irrigation water levels in 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons, respectively. The result also indicated significant fruit yield of 22.05 and 22.62 t/ha from application of 15 t/ha sawdust while the least fruit yield; 9.80 and 9.29 t/ha, respectively was from control (no mulching) treatment. The interaction effect between irrigation water and mulching levels on fruit yield varied significantly different in both cropping seasons. The highest fruit yield, 25.86 and 26.80 t/ha, in both cropping seasons were observed between 3000 L/ha and 15t/ha sawdust while the least, 5.16 and 3.75 t/ha, was obtained from the interaction of no irrigation water and no mulching. The 1500 L/ha irrigation water and 10t/ha organic mulching (sawdust) were recommended for off season cultivation of garden egg in Okigwe southeastern Nigeria.
Authors and Affiliations
Ikeh A. O, Akpan E. A
Keywords
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- EP ID EP542883
- DOI 10.33495/jacr_v6i2.17.142
- Views 201
- Downloads 0
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