Influence of Different Fertilization Levels on the Growth, Disease and Pest Status of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.) in Buea, Cameroon

Abstract

Aims: Investigates the effects of different NPK fertilizer levels on growth and disease situation of Telfairia occidentalis in Buea, Cameroon. Study Design:  The design was a complete randomized design with four treatments and four replicates. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the research field of the Department of Plant Science in the university of Buea, Cameroon Methodology: Two fluted pumpkin seed were planted in each planting stand in each experimental unit, with a planting distance of 0.5m x 1m at a depth of 4cm.  NPK fertilizer treatments; T1(0 kg NPK/ha), T2(69.3 kg NPK/ha), T3 (138.8 kg NPK/ha), T4 (208.3 kg NPK/ha) were applied two weeks after seed germination, using a circular method. Plants were randomly tagged for growth measurements and observation for disease situation for a period of five weeks at weekly base. Results: Growth parameters increased with increased fertilization levels. Incidence and severity were low and decreased with increased fertilization at T4 (208.3 kg NPK/ha). Blistering disease-like symptom recorded the highest incidence (9.38%), followed by white spot disease-like symptom (6.25%) while necrosis and crinkling recorded the least (4.1%). T1 recorded a higher disease incidence (17.71%) while T3 and T4 recorded the least (5.21%). The severity of the diseases was highest in TI (2.3%) and least in T4 (0.9%). Garden snail, Eastern lubber, Winter moth larva and soft scale coccus were the pests observed in the study Conclusion: Appropriate NPK application rates should be used by farmers to optimize crop production and contributing to improved food security. T. occidentalis in Buea is infected with some diseases though the incidence is low.