EFFECT OF TILLAGE AND STAKING METHODS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (Telfairia occidentalis L.) IN KAFANCHAN, SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNAH, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of tillage and staking methods on the growth and yield of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) at Kafanchan in southern Guinea Savannah, Nigeria. This was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kaduna State University, Kafanchan Campus. The experiment was a factorial combination of three tillage practices and three stacking methods and was laid out in complete randomized block design and replicated three times on a 3x3 factorial in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisted of three tillage practices (zero tillage, flat tillage, and mound) and three staking methods (zero staking, single staking, and trellis staking). The results showed that Mound tillage (T3) resulted in a 22% increase in vine length (49.12 cm) compared to flat tillage (T2) at 3 WAS. Trellis staking (S3) significantly improved root length (29.05 cm), representing a 43% increase compared to single staking (S2). Zero tillage (T1) resulted in a 51% increase in leaf weight (2.53) compared to flat tillage (T2) and mound tillage (T3). The study suggests that conservation agriculture practices like zero tillage and trellis staking can be beneficial for fluted pumpkin production, potentially reducing soil degradation and promoting soil health. There was no significant interaction in your yield parameters.