18 Table 3: Soil temperature, volumetric water content and growth parameters of wild watermelon as affected by population density and mulch. 40 Table 9: Soil temperature, volumetric water content and growth parameters of wild watermelon as affected by population density and mulch.
Introduction
2 development, led to the decline in cultivation, consumption and ultimately loss of native food crops, despite centuries of their survival mechanisms in the environment (Norman et al.1996; Alphane et al. 2003). Mulching (dead or alive) is a crop production technique that involves planting or placing organic or inorganic materials on the soil surface to provide a more favorable environment for plant growth and development (Aguyoh et al. 2006).
Origin and food value of watermelon
- Industrial use
It can be planted as a catch crop in sorghum fields as it is more drought tolerant (Schippers, 2002; Anomymous, 2008). It is widely eaten as a snack, added to other dishes or used as an oilseed (Schippers, 2000;.
Botany
Agronomy
- Climatic requirements
- Soil requirements
- Propagation and planting
- Crop diseases and pests
An annual rainfall of about 600 mm to 1200 mm is ideal for wild watermelon although it is very sensitive to the combination of high humidity and low temperatures (20oC) due to leaf disease development. No literature could be obtained on the yield of wild watermelon as such, except for the fertility of the plant, which was recorded in Botswana at a maximum of about 8 fruits per plant (Anonymous, 2008).
Problem statement, hypothesis and objectives
To determine the effects of population density on the growth and yield of wild watermelon under field conditions and. To investigate the effects of mulching on the growth and yield of wild watermelon under field conditions.
The biodiversity of traditional vegetables in the Transkei region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Effects of sheep kraal manure and intercropping with maize on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of a vegetative Amaranthus accession in the central region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Introduction
One of the main reasons for multiple cropping is lack of good agricultural land for crop production (Mukhala et al. 1999 cited by Mhlontlo, 2008). Mulching, as a crop production technique, involves placing organic or inorganic materials on the soil surface, thereby providing a more favorable environment for plant growth and development (Korir et al. 2006).
Materials and methods
- Description of study site
- Planting material
- Experimental design
- Experimental procedure, data collection and statistical analysis
- Experimental procedure
- Data collection
- Statistical analysis
Weed control of the experiment was done two weeks after emergence through manual scraping with simultaneous hand pulling around the plant. The length of vines was measured using a meter rule and the number of vines (branches) and leaves was determined by manual counting.
Results and discussion
- Influence of population density and mulch on soil temperature during the growing
- Influence of population density and mulch on soil water content during the growth
- Effects of population density and mulching on growth of wild watermelon
- Vine length
- Number of branches or vines per plant
- Number of leaves per plant
- Effects of population density and mulching on yield
- Fruit number per plant
- Fruit number per hectare
- Fresh fruit mass
- Dry fruit mass
- Total yield
- Effects of population density and mulching on market quality
- Effects of population density and mulching on weed occurrence
Low population density (3000 plants/ha) had the highest water content (P < 0.004) compared to all other population densities. The interaction between population density and mulch had no effect (P > 0.05) on soil water content. Regarding the interaction between population density and mulch, low population density combined with 2.5 tons of mulch had the longest vines (1.97 m) compared to all treatment combinations.
Regarding the interaction of population density and mulch, the highest number of branches per plant was observed at low population density in combination with 2.5t/ha mulch compared to all other treatment combinations. The low population density (3000 plants per ha) had more leaves per plant than all other population densities. The interaction of population density and mulch produced the highest number of leaves per plant at low population density in combination with 2.5t/ha mulch rate compared to all possible treatment combinations.
This shows that the higher the population density, the higher the number of fruits per h hectare. 26 than per plant, based on the inverse relationship between population density and the number of fruits per plant (Ngouajio et al., 2006; Motsenbocker, 1996).
Conclusion
Effect of cover cropping on soil and plant water status, and the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a semi-arid environment. Effect of grass mulch and plant spacing on growth and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.). Unpublished BSc. Dietary nutritional deficiencies in small-scale farming communities in South Africa: Benefits of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).
An evaluation of green waste composting for fodder corn (Zea mays L.) production Compost Science and Utilization. Performance of maize/bean and maize/pumpkin intercrops under different cropping and weed combinations in the Transkei, South Africa. Response of component crops in a maize (Zea mays L.)/bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) mixture to farm and weed treatments in the Eastern Cape Region of South Africa.
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Directorate: Statistics and Economic Analysis, South Africa, Pretoria. Influence of row spacing and mulching on weed growth and bulb yield of garlic (Allium sativum I.) in Sokoto, Nigeria.
Introduction
The literature indicates poor weed management as one of the limiting factors in crop production, as it results in reduced yield. Wild watermelon growers control weeds culturally (hoeing) as chemical weed control is expensive for them. For these reasons, investigating alternative cultural weed control strategies that are ecologically friendly, free of weed resistance, and compatible with wild watermelon producers will be beneficial, therefore mulching using therefore Panicum maximum Jacq.
Therefore, determining the minimum plant population density required for optimum yield is a major agronomic objective, Carpenter and Board (1997), in any crop production system as it affects the production and distribution of carbohydrates (Sangoi, 2000), therefore the aim of the study is was to investigate the effect of seedling propagules and mulching on crop establishment and yield.
Materials and methods
- Description of study site
- Planting material
- Experimental design
- Experimental procedure, data collection and statistical analysis
- Experimental procedure
- Data collection
- Statistical analysis
- Influence of population density and mulch on soil temperature
- Influence of population density and mulch on volumetric water content
- Influence of population density and mulch on wild watermelon’s growth
- The vine length
- The vine number per plant
- The number of leaves per plant
- Effects of population density and mulching on yield
- Fresh fruit mass
- Dry fruit mass
- Fruit number per plant
- Fruit number per hectare
- Total yield
- Effects of population density and mulching on market quality
- Effects of population density and mulching on weed occurrence
The low population density (3000 plants/ha) had the highest water content (P<0.001) compared to all other population densities. The interaction of population density and cover also showed an effect on volumetric water content (P<0.044). The interaction of population density and mulch had the longest vines at 6000 plants/ha in combination with 2.5t/ha mulch.
The interaction between population density and mulch had an effect (P 0.027) on leaf number per plant (Appendix 4E). A trend of increasing fresh weight at low population density and high mulching rate was observed. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in fruit number per plant regardless of population density or degree of mulching (Appendix 4F).
The interaction of population density and mulch had no effect (P > 0.05) on total yield, however, high population density (12000 plants/ha) under 2.5 t mulch had higher total yield than all other combinations of treatment. The highest population density (12000) at 5t/ha and the lowest population density (3000) at no mulch had significantly higher (213 kg/ha) and lower (114.3 kg/ha) total yields compared with all treatment combinations.
Conclusion
Effects of surface applied grass mulch on soil water content and yield of cowpea and eggplant in Antigua, Trop. Effect of mulching on soil and plant water status, and growth and yield of wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) in a semi-arid environment. Effect of direct seeding and transplanting methods on the yield and quality of fine rice Basmati-370.
Growth and yield of some cucumber cultivars as affected by plant density and application of royal jelly. Comparison of plant establishment method, transplanting or direct seeding on growth and yield of pepper. Effect of mulch on weed attack, soil temperature, nutrient concentration and tuber yield in Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam.
Effect of mulch on soil temperature, moisture, weed infestation and yield of groundnut in Northern Vietnam. Wild watermelon (Citrulluslanatus L.) landrace production in response to three seedling growth media and field planting date.
Introduction
Soil temperature
This is in contrast to the findings of Elshaikh, (2010) that of positive relationship between plant density and cucumber. Plants at higher densities accumulate less carbon which is not sufficient to support more branching (Rahman et al. 2011). This result can also be explained by the strong competition among plants under high density conditions (Akintoye et al. 2002 cited by El-shaikh, 2010).
Plant height and number of branches per plant affect the canopy closure and the insufficient development of the canopy at lower density limits yields. Based on the study, despite the seasonal weather conditions, it may mean that low population density may be the best option to produce more branches per plant when water is limiting (during dry conditions).
Crop’s yield response to seed, seedling propagules and mulch
- Number of fruit per hectare
- Total yield
- Effect of seed and seedling propagules on market quality or fruit size distribution
- Effect of seed and seedling propagules and mulch on weed distribution
The increased total fruit yield as plant density increased in both seed and seedling propagules shows that plant density is the main contributor to higher yields. Seedling propagules produced comparable fruit mass when not mulched than seed propagules, while there was no consistency when mulched. In general, seedling propagules (2011) produced higher fruit mass than seed propagules (2010), with the difference attributed to the variation in weather conditions as 2011 was a rainy year.
Greater spacing increased fruit size and number of fruits per plant, resulting in larger fruits compared to shorter spacing, regardless of seed or seedling propagules. Both seed and seedling propagules produced a higher percentage of medium fruits when mulched than when not mulched. Low population density in seedling propagules resulted in a higher percentage of medium-sized fruits regardless of mulching or no mulching, while this was different in the seed propagules, except for no mulching. Identified weed species based on their morphology with both seed and seedling propagules were grasses, broadleaves, and sedges.
Both seeds and seedlings had fewer weeds in mulching compared to 0t/ha mulch and with increasing population density. Fewer weeds under mulching (2.5t/ha and 5t/ha) compared to 0t/ha mulch indicated the importance of mulch in suppressing weeds, regardless of seed or seedling spread less.
Conclusion
Future directions
Effects of sheep kraal manure and intercropping with maize on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of a vegetable Amaranth us accession in the central region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Planting density effects on growth, yield and yield components of two soybean cultivars under equidistant planting arrangement.
Climatic data of the study sites (2005 – 2010) Campagna
Analysis of variance tables for seed propagation of wild watermelon (Chapter2)
Market prices of pumpkins and watermelons (adapted from Abstracts of
Analysis of variance table for seedling propagation of wild watermelon (Chapter 3)
Field trial layout
