Browsing by Author "Mwaura, M. M."

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Enhancing preharvest physiology of multi-purpose pumpkin using combined nitrogen, mulch and gibberellic acid
(Chuka University, 2022-03) Isutsa, D. K.; Mwaura, M. M.; ; ;
In recent times, it has become apparent that multi-purpose pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) is a very important crop since its leaves, fruits and seeds can be eaten as vegetables, snacks and blended dishes to boost household food and nutritional security. However, it is regarded as a low value crop, leading to poor cultivation, comprehension of preharvest physiological behaviour, and maximization of productivity in Kenya. Consequently, a study was conducted to assess the effects of combined nitrogen, mulch and gibberellic acid (GA3) in enhancing its preharvest physiology of pumpkin. Four N rates of 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha supplied as CAN, three mulch types as none, unpainted, and black-painted rice straw, and three GA3 rates of 0, 40 and 80 mg/L were assessed. The experiment was arranged in split-split plots in randomized complete block design, replicated three times in two seasons, and each plant occupied 2 m x 2 m space. Nitrogen was applied to main plots, mulch to sub-plots, and GA3 to sub-sub plots. Pre-harvest physiological variables measured were stomatal conductance, chlorophyll, photosynthesis, and transpiration. Data values were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS Version 9.3. Separation of significant means was done using the least significant difference test at α = 0.05. Results showed that nitrogen and mulch individually and interactively did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect most preharvest physiological parameters. The effect of GA3 was not significant on stomatal conductance and leaf chlorophyll, but it was negative and significant on both photosynthesis and transpiration in season 1 which was drier than season 2. Based on the present results, the influence of combined nitrogen, mulch and GA3 on multi-purpose pumpkin cannot be entirely depicted by analysing preharvest physiology. Adoption and application of treatments that promote desired preharvest physiology of multi-purpose pumpkin is recommended, including 50 kg N/ha to enhance stomatal conductance and leaf chlorophyll, and unpainted rice straws to enhance leaf chlorophyll content and photosynthesis.
Enhancing preharvest physiology of multi-purpose pumpkin using combined nitrogen, mulch and gibberellic acid
(African Journal of Horticultural Science, 2022-03) Isutsa, D. K.; Mwaura, M. M.; ; ;
In recent times, it has become apparent that multi-purpose pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) is a very important crop since its leaves, fruits and seeds can be eaten as vegetables, snacks and blended dishes to boost household food and nutritional security. However, it is regarded as a low value crop, leading to poor cultivation, comprehension of preharvest physiological behaviour, and maximization of productivity in Kenya. Consequently, a study was conducted to assess the effects of combined nitrogen, mulch and gibberellic acid (GA3) in enhancing its preharvest physiology of pumpkin. Four N rates of 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha supplied as CAN, three mulch types as none, unpainted, and black-painted rice straw, and three GA3 rates of 0, 40 and 80 mg/L were assessed. The experiment was arranged in split-split plots in randomized complete block design, replicated three times in two seasons, and each plant occupied 2 m x 2 m space. Nitrogen was applied to main plots, mulch to sub-plots, and GA3 to sub-sub plots. Pre-harvest physiological variables measured were stomatal conductance, chlorophyll, photosynthesis, and transpiration. Data values were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS Version 9.3. Separation of significant means was done using the least significant difference test at α = 0.05. Results showed that nitrogen and mulch individually and interactively did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect most pre- harvest physiological parameters. The effect of GA3 was not significant on stomatal conductance and leaf chlorophyll, but it was negative and significant on both photosynthesis and transpiration in season 1 which was drier than season 2. Based on the present results, the influence of combined nitrogen, mulch and GA3 on multi-purpose pumpkin cannot be entirely depicted by analysing preharvest physiology. Adoption and application of treatments that promote desired preharvest physiology of multi-purpose pumpkin is recommended, including 50 kg N/ha to enhance stomatal conductance and leaf chlorophyll, and unpainted rice straws to enhance leaf chlorophyll content and photosynthesis.
PRODUCTION OF MINERAL NUTRIENT-RICH MULTIPURPOSE PUMPKIN LEAFY VEGETABLESUSING INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
(Chuka University, 2022) Mwaura, M. M.; Isutsa, D. K.; Munyiri, S. W.
Enhancing mineral nutrient composition in multipurpose pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) is important since it contributes to household food security. To respond to this need, an experiment arranged in split-plot in randomized complete block design and replicated three times was conducted at Chuka University for two seasons from January 2019 to July 2020. The main plots were assigned to nitrogen (CAN) (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha), sub-plots to mulch (no mulch, black-painted and unpainted rice straws), while split-plots to gibberellic acid (GA3) (0 mg/L, 40 mg/L and 80 mg/L). Nitrogen for each rate was applied in two equal doses at three weeks post-emergence 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 onto plants using a knapsack sprayer, starting with 40 mg/L followed by 80 mg/L, once during the fourth week after emergence. Data collection was done fortnightly from the fourth week after emergence and data values were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software. Means were separated using the least significant difference test at α=0.05. Highest levels of potassium and magnesium were obtained for 100 kg N/ha. On the other hand, phosphorus and beta-carotene were highest in treatments where unpainted rice straw mulch was used, while application of 80 mg/L of GA3 gave high phosphorus and potassium contents. Results further showed that combined N fertilizer, mulch and GA3 had a significant (P<0.05) effect on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and beta-carotene contents during both seasons, implying that they are useful factors in evaluation of mineral nutrient contents in leaves of multi-purpose pumpkins.