Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 14(1): Published March, 2018 Nsa, S. O. et al., 2018

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1 PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF FRESH VINE AND LEAFY YIELDS OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (Telfairia occidentalis HOOK. F.) AS INFLUENCED BY HARVESTING INTERVALS IN UYO, NIGERIA Nsa 1*, S. O., Umoyoh 1, F. J. and Ndaeyo 2, N. U. 1 Department of Vocational Education, Faculty of Education University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria 2 Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Crop Science, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria *Corresponding saviouronsa1@yahoo.com ABSTRACT This study evaluated effect of harvesting intervals on fresh vine and leaf yields of fluted pumpkin in Uyo, Nigeria between April and November, A randomized complete block design with 3 replicates was used. Simple randomization method was used to assign the seeds into four treatment groups. The treatments were four harvesting intervals (every one week, two weeks, three weeks and four weeks harvesting intervals). The sample size of two hundred and sixteen (216) seeds was drawn from a population of six hundred and seventeen (617) seeds. The parameter used to determine the fresh vine and leaf yields was the weight of the pumpkin leaves with vines. Data collected were analyzed and tested at 0.05 level of significance using mean to answer research questions, and t-test was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed a significant difference in the vine and leaf yields of fluted pumpkin among the harvesting interval. Vine and leaf yields of fluted pumpkin harvested at two, three and four weeks out-performed those harvested at one week interval. It was concluded that fluted pumpkin should be harvested every two week in order to guarantee high nutritional and medicinal values. Keywords: Fluted pumpkin, harvesting intervals, vine, leaf yield. INTRODUCTION Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentialis Hook F.), a herbaceous perennial climber usually cultivated as an annual, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and originated from tropical West Africa (Abiose, 1999; Schippers, 2000). Although a perennial by nature, it is usually grown as an annual (Ogbonna, 2009) as vegetable for its leaves and seeds, which constitute an important component of the diet in many Nigerian homes (Ayanwale and Abiola, 2007; Odiaka et al., 2008). Pierce (2005) defined vegetable as an edible plant or part of plant other than a sweet fruit or seed. They could be consumed as leaf, fruit or leaf and fruit vegetables. Also, Hazar and Som (2010) defined vegetable as the tender shoot, leaves, fruits and root of plants and spices that are consumed whole or in part, raw or cooked as a supplement to starchy foods and meat. Fluted pumpkin is a rich source of vitamins, minerals salts, carbohydrate, protein and dietary fibre which are important in human diet. It is generally regarded as a leaf and seed vegetable Pierce (2005). The leaf has a high nutritional, medicinal and industrial values being rich in protein 29%, fat 18%, minerals and vitamins 20% (Tindall, 1986). In recent time, Telfairia leaf had gained medical recognition and is regarded as blood purifier and is used in the maintenance of good health mostly among people in the developing countries. Apart from the leaves, the seeds can be cooked/roasted and eaten, or ground and added in soup, contained 20.5g proteins, 45g fat, 23g carbohydrate, 2.2g fibre and 4.8g total ash (Badifu and Ogunsua, 1991). The oil in the seeds is useful in soap making and in cooking (Fashina et al, 2002). In the recent time, fluted pumpkin had gained medicinal recognition. It has been discovered to be blood purifiers (Aletor et al, 2002; Aderi et. al., 2011) and could therefore be useful in maintenance of good health. Vegetable production is increasingly being recognized as a catalyst for rural development and as a means for increasing and generating internal revenue and foreign exchange in Africa. Telfairia occidentialis as a seed and leaf vegetable, has provided job opportunities to many Nigerians including the people of Akwa Ibom State who engage in it production and marketing Farmers harvest the leaves either for consumption or for sale. Large succulent leaves attract higher premium than the small and poor quality leaves. The female plants are endowed with large succulent leaves that are attractive. When fluted pumpkin begins to flowers, the male plant begins to show signs of senescence leading to a drop in the yield of leaves. Harvesting plays significant role in it production and may greatly enhance and support the availability, sustainability and accessibility. This is because harvesting stimulates branching in Telfairia and is essential for adequate vegetation and makes way for new shoots. Tindall (2002) maintained that harvesting of Telfairia increases the number of edible shoots, fruits and percentage of pistillate flowers. Chandrasekaran et al. NJAFE VOL. 14 No. 1,

2 (2010) asserted that harvesting at appropriate time is essential in getting good quality and higher leaf and seed yields. Harvesting interval is the period of day(s), week(s) and month(s) between one harvest and another. Orgar and Asiegbu (2005) reported that frequent harvesting of Telfairia shoots stimulate vine production and that Telfairia occidentalis yields more branches under regular harvesting intervals. Ossom (2010) observed that higher yield of Telfairia leaves is obtained with frequent harvest intervals compared to infrequent harvest schedule. He also explained that more branching was observed from more frequent removal of apical dominance with cutting of the terminal buds which allowed for more flushes. Reddy (2005) stated that one week harvesting interval of Telfairia resulted in profuse branching leading to production of more vines and leaves. Harvesting too soon may reduce yield as frequent leaves harvesting (at one week harvesting interval) may lead to a decline in leaf vegetable yield because the plant does not have ample time to develop good vegetative growth to permit adequate photosynthetic process.. Fluted pumpkins harvested at one week interval is said to have shorter stem length and size, since the stem length of fluted pumpkin increases with time of harvesting intervals. However, there is assertion that Telfairia harvested in one week intervals have the highest quality in terms of freshness and succulent leaves. Also, Telfairia harvested weekly has low crude fiber, high protein content in leaves and less carbohydrate contents than those with long harvesting intervals. On the other hand, Ossom (2001) reported that two weeks harvesting interval yields higher marketable vegetable yield (leaves and shoots) and produces greater number of branches as this allows for more flushes while Akoroda (2003) stated that longer harvesting interval decreases crude protein percentage in fluted pumpkin. Sinclair (2006) asserted that leaves yield of Telfairia decreased while nutritive quality increases as the harvesting interval of Telfairia increases. This assertion suggested that Telfairia harvested at two weeks intervals would have optimized the forage yield and nutritive value than those of one, three and four weeks intervals of harvesting. Osadebe et. al. (2014) reported that Telfairia harvested at three weeks intervals have shorter internodes distance which suggested slow rate of vine growth as against the Telfairia vine with more frequent harvest intervals that had longer internodes distance as a result of new flushes. They opined that at three weeks harvesting interval, the plant have formed lateral shoots and at least three fully expanded true leaves with some of the leaves past the consumable stage of leaf vegetable Currently, Telfairia farmers in Uyo Local Government Area do not practice any specific harvesting interval that could guarantee higher productivity and sustainable production. Little or no specific harvesting interval is practiced as they harvest the leaves as the need arises. Therefore, this study was conducted to provide information on the effects of harvesting intervals on the fresh leaves yield of Telfairia occidentalis and recommend the best harvesting interval(s) for farmers in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. METHODOLOGY The study was conducted in the Department of Vocational Agricultural Education Skills Acquisition Farm of University of Uyo, Town Campus, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria between April and November, Uyo is situated in the humid tropical rainforest zone of Southeastern Nigeria and lies between latitude and North and longitude and East and altitude 38.1m above sea level (Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette, 2007). Uyo is in a rainforest zone which receives about 2700mm rainfall annually (Meteorological Garden, 2008). The rainfall pattern is bimodal, with long (March - July) and short (September - November) rainy seasons separated by a short dry spell of uncertain length, usually during the month of August. The mean relative humidity is 78.8 %, atmospheric temperature is 30 0 C and the mean sunshine hours is 12 (Peters et al., 1989). The soil belongs to the ultisol broad group and the land had been under fallow for about two years before the experiment. The study was carried out under rain fed condition between April and November, A randomized complete block design with 3 replicates was used. Simple randomization method was used to assign the seeds into four treatment groups. The sample size of two hundred and sixteen (216) seeds was drawn from a population of six hundred and seventeen (617) seeds. Research questions that guided the study were: a) what is the difference between the leaves yields of Telfairia occidentalis (Afia ubong landrace) harvested at four weeks interval and those harvested at two weeks interval? b) what is the difference between the leaves yields of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at three weeks interval and those harvested at two weeks interval? c) what is the difference between the leaves yields of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at one week and those harvested at two weeks interval? The treatments were four harvesting intervals (every one week, two weeks, three weeks and four weeks harvesting intervals) used to measure weights of the fresh leaves harvested per seed-bed. Poultry droppings were incorporated before planting which was done at a spacing of 1m x 1m using the seeds. First weeding was done at two months after planting and repeated at 3 and 6 months after planting using native hoe to ensure that weed effect was check. The experiment was terminated at 8 months after planting. Weight of leaves (leaves + vines) was determined using a calibrated Camry weighing scale, Data collected were analysed and tested at 0.05 level of significance using mean to answer research questions. Null hypotheses one, two and three were tested using t-test using t-test. NJAFE VOL. 14 No. 1,

3 RESULTS Table 1 shows the summary of fresh leaf yields of Telfeiria occidentalis harvested at four weeks intervals and those harvested at two weeks interval. Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two weeks interval indicated a higher fresh leaves yield than those harvested at four interval. Those harvested at two weeks interval yielded 45.1kg at the end of the experiment while those harvested at four weeks yielded 30.70kg. The mean gain difference of 14.37kg indicated that harvesting at four weeks does not encourage fresh leaves production of Telfairia occidentalis. Table 2 shows the summary of fresh leaf yields of Telfeiria occidentalis harvested at two and three weeks intervals. Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two weeks intervals indicated a higher fresh leaf yield than those harvested at three weeks interval. Those harvested at two weeks interval yielded 45.17kg of fresh leaves at the end of the experiment while those harvested at three weeks interval yielded 29.67kg. The mean gain difference of 15.50kg indicated that, harvesting at two encouraged fresh leaf yield production of Telfairia occidentalis than harvesting at three weeks interval. Table 3 shows the summary of fresh leaves yields of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at one and two weeks intervals. Telfairia occidentalis harvested two weeks intervals indicated a higher fresh leaf yield than those harvested at one week interval. Those harvested at two weeks interval yielded 45.17kg of fresh leaves at the end of the experiment while those harvested at one week yield 29.24kg. The mean gain difference of 15.93kg indicated that harvesting at one week does not encourage fresh leaf production of Telfairia occidentalis. Table 4 shows the summary of independent t-test analysis of fresh leaves yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two and four weeks intervals. The result indicated that the t- calculated value of is greater than t-critical value of 2.78 at 0.05 level of significance and at 4 degree of freedom. Therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected in favour of alternative hypothesis. The fresh leaf yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two weeks was greater than those harvested at four weeks interval. Table 5 shows the summary of independent t-test analysis of fresh leaves yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two and three weeks interval intervals. The result indicates that the t-calculated value of 3.99 is greater than t- critical value of 2.78 at 0.05 level of significance and at 4 degree of freedom. Therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected in favour of the alternative hypothesis. The fresh leaf yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two weeks was greater than those harvested at three weeks interval. Table 6 shows the summary of independent t-test analysis of fresh leaf yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at one and two weeks interval. The result indicates that, the t- calculated value of 5.13 is greater than t-critical value of 2.78 at 0.05 level of significance and 4 degree of freedom. Therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected in favour of the alternative hypothesis. The fresh leaf yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two weeks was greater than those harvested at one week interval. DISCUSSION The result that provided answer to research question one revealed that there was higher mean gain of fresh leaves yield from Telfairia harvested at two weeks than those harvested at four weeks. Therefore, harvesting at four weeks should be discouraged if optimum fresh leaves yield of Telfairia is desired. Also analysis of hypothesis one revealed that there was a significant difference in the fresh leaves yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two weeks over those harvested at four weeks interval. This is in tandem with the findings of Hazar and Som, (2010) which stated that Telfairia should be harvested at proper interval (two weeks intervals) as this not only determining the quality of the product but also prolonged the life span and yield of the crops. The result that provided answer to research question two revealed that there was mean gain of fresh leaves yield obtained from Telfairia harvested at two compare to those harvested at three weeks intervals. Also analysis of hypothesis two revealed that, there was a significant difference on the fresh leaves yield of Telfaira occidentalis harvested at two weeks over those harvested at three weeks interval. These findings are in agreement with the work of Tindall (2002) who stated that two weeks harvesting interval increased the number of edible shoots, fruits set and percentage of harvested pistillate flowers. The result that provided answer to research question three revealed that there was mean gain of fresh leaves yield obtained from Telfairia harvested at two compared to those harvested at one week interval. Also, analysis of hypothesis three revealed a significant difference on the fresh leaf yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two weeks compared to those harvested at one week interval. This finding is agreement with the work of Cobley and Steele (2000) who stated that Telfairia leaves harvested at one week interval does not allow the plant ample time to develop good vegetative growth to permit adequate photosynthetic process, subsequent recovery and growth of plant. These hindered the growth and vegetative yield of Telfairia harvested at one week interval. Odiaka (2001) stated that the freshness of stems/tendrils of fluted pumpkins leaves decreased with increase in harvesting intervals, which implies that fluted pumpkin harvested at three weeks interval are fibrous with not very delicious taste and tough stems than those harvested at one or two week(s) intervals. NJAFE VOL. 14 No. 1,

4 In support of our findings, Ossom (2001) reported that there was a decline in total leaf vegetable yield as leaf harvesting was delayed to four weeks due to the fact that some of the leaves surpassed the consumable stage before the next harvest. Telfairia harvested at four weeks intervals have more leaves than those harvested at one, two and three weeks in each harvesting time. Orgar and Asiegbu (2005) reported that successive increase in interval between harvests progressively increased the weight and number of pod per plant. This is due to more leaves that are photsynthetically active in translocation and assimilation in the fruit for storage, which compensates for its leaves yield and fruit yield. Also in line with our findings, Osadebe et. al. (2014) stated that vine length increased with an increase in harvesting intervals and that Telfairia harvested at four weeks interval have the highest vine length than those harvested at 1-3 weeks. CONCLUSION Harvesting of Telfairia occidentalis at two weeks interval boosted fresh leaves yield. Telfairia occidentalis harvested at two weeks interval yielded more fresh leaves than those harvested at one week, three weeks and four weeks intervals. This is because harvesting at two weeks interval promoted the biomass regrowth and development of Telfairia than other harvesting intervals. This study has provided useful theoretical, technical and practical information on the practice of Telfairia farming. The findings of this study have implication for improvement of vocational agriculture through crop production which can be practiced in pre-vocational and vocational subjects in secondary and tertiary institutions. REFERENCES Abiose, S. (1999). Assessment of the external foods introduced food and imported food in commercial eaten center in South West Nigeria. African s Natural Resources Conservation, 7(3): Aderi, O. S., Udofia, A.C. and Ndaeyo, N.U. (2011). Influence of chicken manure rates and inorganic fertilizer formulations on some quantitative parameters of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 7(1): Akoroda, M. O. (2003). Ethnobotany of Telfairia occidentalis (Curcurbitacae) among Igbos of Nigeria, Journal of Economic Botany, 3 (2): Aletor, O., Oshodi, A.A. and Ipinmoroti, K. (2002). Chemical composition of common leafy vegetables and functional properties of their leaf protein concentrates. Food Chemistry, 78: Ayanwale, A. B. and Abiola, M. O. (2007). Efficiency of fluted pumpkin production under tropical conditions. International Journal of Vegetable Science, 13 (3): Badifu, G.I.O. and Ogunsua, A.O. (1991). Chemical composition of kernels from some species of cucurbitaceae grown in Nigeria. Plant Food Human Nutrition, 41(1): Chandrasekaran, B. Annanadurai, K. and Osomasundaram, E. (2010). A text Book of Agronomy. New Delhi: New Age International Ltd., pp Cobley, L. S. and Steele, W. M. (2000). An Introduction to the Botany of Topical Crops. London: Longman Group Limited, pp Fashina, A.S., Olatunji K.A. and Alasiri, K.O. (2002). Effect of different plant populations and poultry manure on the yield of Ugu (Telfairia occidentalis) in Lagos State, Nigeria. In: Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON), 14th 17th May 2002; NIHORT, Ibadan, Nigeria. Official Gazette (2007). Federal Republic of Nigeria Hazar, J. C. and Som, S. P. (2010). Tropical vegetable Crops. London: Arthur Stockwell Limited, pp Meteorological Garden (2008). Department of Geography and Regional Planning. University of Uyo. Uyo, Nigeria. Odiaka, N. I. (2001). Survey on the Production and Supply of Telfairia occidentalis in Makurdi, Crop Production Department, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, pp Odiaka, N. I., Akoroda, M. O, and Odiaka, E. C. (2008). Diversity and production methods of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.). African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(8): Ogbonna, P. A. (2009). Pod portion and type effects on sex, growth and yield in fluted pumpkin. African Crop Science Journal, 16 (3): Orgar, E. A. and Asiegbu, J. E. (2005). Effects of fertilizer rates and cutting frequency on the marketable vegetable and pod yields in fluted pumpkin. Journal of Agriculture Food, Environment and Extension, 4 (1): Osadebe, V. O., Echezona, B. C. and Bakare, S. O. (2014). Effects of weed management and cutting frequency on the leaf yield and proximate composition of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) Hook. Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad), 63(1): Ossom, E. M. (2001). Influence of harvesting intervals on yield, crude protein npk contents on longevity of fluted pumpkin, (Telfairia occidentalis) Hook. Tropical Agriculture Trinidad and Tobago. 63(1): Peirce, L. C. (2005). Vegetables: Characteristics, production and marketing. New York: John Wiley. pp NJAFE VOL. 14 No. 1,

5 Peters, S. W., Usoro, E. J., Obot, U. W. and Okpon, S. N. (eds). (1989). Akwa Ibom State: Physical background, soil and land use and ecological problems. A technical report of the task force on soils and land use survey in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. pp Reddy, S. R. (2005). Principles of agronomy. Ludhiana: Kalyanni Publishers. pp Schippers, P. R. (2000). African indigenous vegetables: An overview of the cultivated species. Chantam, UK: NRI/CTA, pp: 214. Sinclair, A. A. (2006). Leafy vegetables. a treasure to be plucked. Information for Agricultural Development in APC countries, pp Tindal, H.D. (1986). Vegetables in the Tropics. Macmillan Education Ltd. Houndmills, Hampshire. pp: 533. Tindall, H.D. (2002). Vegetables in the Tropics. Hong Kong: Liverpool University Press, pp.275. Table 1: Mean difference between fresh leaves yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at four weeks interval and those harvested at two weeks interval Harvesting Interval N χ Mean gain difference Four Weeks Two Weeks Source: Field work report, 2016 Table 2: Mean difference between fresh yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at three weeks interval and those harvested at two weeks interval. Harvesting Intervals N χ Mean gain difference Three Weeks Two Weeks Source: Field work report, 2016 Table 3: Mean difference between fresh leaves yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at one weeks interval and those harvested at two weeks interval. Harvesting methods N χ Mean gain difference One Weeks Two Week Source: Field work report, 2016 Table 4: t-test analysis of fresh leaves yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at four weeks harvesting interval and those harvested at Two weeks interval. Source of Variance n SD Df t-cal t-cri Decision Two Weeks * Four Weeks *Significant at Source: Field work report, 2016 Table 5: t-test analysis of fresh leaves yield of Telfairiaoccidentalis harvested at three weeks interval and those harvested at two weeks harvesting interval. Source of Variance n SD Df t-cal t-cri Decision Three weeks interval * Two weeks interval * Significant at Source: Field work report, 2016 NJAFE VOL. 14 No. 1,

6 Table 6: t-test analysis of fresh leaves yield of Telfairia occidentalis harvested at one week interval and those harvested at two weeks harvesting interval. Source of Variance n SD Df t-cal t-cri Decision One week interval * Two weeks interval * Significant at Source: Field work report, 2016 NJAFE VOL. 14 No. 1,