Influence of Rubber Effluent and NPK Fertilizer on the Performance and Fruit Quality of Snake Tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina L. Haines) in a Three and Four Years Old (An Existing) Rubber Plantation
A. M. D. Uwumarongie *
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
O. A. Emuedo
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
E. O. Uzunuigbe
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
F. U. Ohikhena
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
A. N. Chukwuka
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
U. Ugiagbe-Ekue
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
J. I. Omoruyi
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
J. A. Omorogbe
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
S. O. Aghedo
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
S. O. Musa
Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo, P.M.B. 1049, Edo State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Small holder rubber farmer that account for over 75% of rubber production in Nigeria has withdrawn from production as a result of income gap created by the long gestation period of rubber amidst other agronomic challenges, hence the need to create an agronomic system that will incorporate other compactable short duration to generate additional and early source of income and take care of other agronomic challenges. An experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons to evaluate the influence of rubber effluent and NPK fertilizer on the performance and fruit quality of snake tomato in a three and four year old (an existing) rubber plantation. The treatments include sole rubber, sole snake tomato and their intercrop combinations with rubber effluent and NPK laid out in randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Data were collected on vine length, vine girth, number of leaves, leaf area, fruit yield and its components, nutrient content and uptake. Growth parameters measured increased with increase in rubber effluent application however NPK fertilized plants were superior to rubber effluent treated plant at increased dosage as there was no marked difference between plants treated with effluent at 70kgN-1 rubber effluent and NPK treated plants, it was also observed that the fourth year plant were higher than the third year. Nutrient content was observed to increase with fertilizer application as non fertilized had the lowest nutrient content, the least uptake was observed in the non fertilized plants.
Keywords: Rubber, snake tomato, intercrop, rubber effluent, growth parameters