Production of pumpkin under manure application and irrigation on a Feralsol

Abstract

The potential of pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) in Uganda has not yet been exploited because of increasing drought frequency and intensity, pest and disease prevalence and low soil fertility. Several soil fertility and water management practices among which include organic manure application and irrigation systems have been widely adopted to increase production. This study investigated the potential of irrigation depth and poultry manure levels to increase pumpkin production in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) field experiment with three replicates at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo. Data collected on yield were analysed using a two-way analysis of variance. Only the main effects levels of poultry manure and depths irrigation were significantly different (P<0.01) but not interaction effects across all yield parameters. Application of poultry manure at 10 t/ha resulted in highest number (8) of pumpkins; 20t/ha yielded the highest fruit weight (4.9kg) and highest diameter (24.6cm) and girth (61.4cm) while 30t/ha yielded the highest leaf number (34.7) and length (37.7cm). Irrigation depth of 500mm yielded the highest pumpkin numbers (6.42), fruit weight (4.9kg), diameter (23.9cm), and girth (59.6cm). Both 500mm and 700mm yielded the highest leaf number (34.0) but 700mm yielded the highest (37.3cm) leaf length. This study concluded that poultry manure and irrigation both have the potential to increase pumpkin production on a low fertility Feralsol. Profitability analysis should be carried on the production practices to assess optimal rates of poultry manure and depths irrigation.