INTEGRATED NITROGEN, MULCH AND GIBBERELLIC ACID SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE PHOTOSYNTHATES IN MULTIPURPOSE PUMPKIN LEAVES

Abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) edible leaves, fruits and seeds contribute to household food and nutrition enhancement. However, cultivation using limitedinputslead to poor growth. This study assessed effectsof nitrogen, mulch and gibberellic acid (GA3) on photo synthates in pumpkin leaves. Nitrogen at 0, 50, 100 and 150 kgN/ha, mulchas none, unpainted and black-painted rice straws, and three GA3at 0, 40 and 80mg/L were appliedin randomized complete block design, replicated three times in two seasons,with2mx2mplant-spacing. Data values were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS and means separated using the least significant difference test (α=0.05).Nitrogen significantly (P<0.05) increased moisture and proteins, while it negatively reduced fat, ash and carbohydrates. Mulch significantly reduced moisture, fat, ash and proteins, but increased total carbohydrates. GA3significantly reduced moisture,fat and proteins only. Combined N, mulch and GA3effect consistently increased moisture and proteins (highest 21% for N3M1GA1), but reduced fat, ash and carbohydrates (lowest 46% for N3M1GA0). This study recommends use of N, mulch and GA3 that elicitthe desired response.