Browsing by Author "Isutsa, D.K"

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EFFECT OF NITROGEN, MULCH AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON QUALITY OF MULTI-PURPOSE PUMPKIN (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) FRUITS
(Chuka University, 2021-12-04) Mwaura, M.M; Isutsa, D.K; Munyiri, S.W
Emergence of multi-purpose pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) as an African indigenous vegetable is attracting great attention. This is due to its adaptation to a wide range of climates and high-yielding potential. Sub- optimal pre- and post-harvest factors have greatly contributed to low returns to farmers and consumers through poor yields and high postharvest loss of pumpkins. There is therefore need to determine the optimal pre- and post- harvest inputs which will provide nutritious pumpkin fruits to producers and consumers. Determination of the effect of nitrogen fertilizer, mulch and gibberellic acid on the fruit size, flesh thickness and firmness of multipurpose pumpkin would contribute to solving these challenges. A field experiment was thus set up at the Chuka University farm in two seasons between January 2019 and July 2020. It was arranged in split-plots in randomized complete block design replicated three times. Nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha CAN, mulch (zero, black-painted and unpainted rice straws) and gibberellic acid (0, 40 and 80 mg/L GA3) were assigned to main, split and sub-plots, respectively. Data values were recorded fortnightly from the fourth week after emergence. Data values were subjected to analysis of variance using the SAS software and means separated using the least significant difference test at P=0.05. Effect of N was significant on fruit size (0.013) during the second season, flesh thickness during the first and second seasons (0.002and 0.040) and fruit firmness of 0.02 upper and 0.009 lower during the second season. The 150 kg/ha CAN and black-painted mulch resulted in higher fruit size of 2172 cm2 and 2199 cm2 and flesh thickness of 3.387 cm and 3.856 cm, respectively. The effect of GA3 on fruit size, flesh thickness and firmness was insignificant during both seasons. These results show that 150kg/ha CAN and black-painted mulch would give the best fruit quality, while GA3 may not necessarily result in beneficial returns
PRODUCTION OF MINERAL NUTRIENT-RICH MULTIPURPOSE PUMPKIN LEAFY VEGETABLES USING INTEGRATED NITROGEN, MULCH AND GA3
(chuka university, 2022) Mwaura, M.M; Isutsa, D.K; Munyiri, S.W
Understanding the effect of nitrogen, mulch and gibberellic acid on minerals and metabolites in multipurpose pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch) is important since it is a dependable source of food, providing families producing it with various diets that contribute to household food and nutrition security. However, production of the pumpkin using optimal or integrated inputs has not yet been embraced in most African countries, resulting in underrealization of its maximum potential. To respond to this challenge, a split-split plot experiment arranged in randomized complete block design and replicated three times was conducted for two seasons from January 2019 to July 2020. The nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha) was assigned to main plots, mulch (no mulch, black-painted and unpainted rice straws) to sub-plots, and gibberellic acid (GA3) (0 mg/L, 40 mg/L and 80 mg/L) to split-plots. Nitrogen was applied as calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) in two equal doses for each rate at three weeks postemergence and at the beginning of flowering. The black-painted and unpainted rice straws were placed on plots after land preparation. The GA3 solution was sprayed to plants using a 1-L sprayer, starting with 40 mg/L, followed by 80 mg/L, once during the fourth week post-emergence. Data collection was done fortnightly from the fourth week after emergence up to fruit harvest stage. Data values were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software version 9.3 and means separated using the least significant difference test at α=0.05. All the measured parameters were significantly (P<0.05) different. Highest levels of K and Mg were obtained for 100 kg N/ha. On the other hand, P and beta-carotene were highest where unpainted rice straws were used, while application of 80 mg/L GA3 yielded high amounts of P and K. Results further showed that combined N fertilizer, mulch and GA3 consistently had significant (P<0.05) effects on N, P, K, Mg and beta-carotene (highest 23 ppm was for N1M1GA1). Therefore, sole nitrogen fertilizer, mulch, GA3, and combined rates that promote the desired mineral nutrient and beta-carotene contents in multi-purpose pumpkin leaves should be adopted and applied, depending on the kind.