GROWTH, YIELD AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) AS AFFECTED BY TILLAGE METHODS

Field study was conducted in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki in Oyo North Senatorial District of Oyo State, Nigeria in 2020 and 2021 rainy seasons to investigate the effect of tillage methods on the growth, yield of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis hook f.) and its economic analysis. Fluted pumpkin were planted on three different tillage methods namely convectional, reduced conventional and traditional tillage methods. Cultural practices such as land clearing, planting, weed control, plant protection, staking, fertilizer application as well as harvesting operations were carried out as at when due. The experimental farm was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD). Data were collected on vine length, number of leaves, internode length, stem girth and yield of fluted pumpkin on regular basis. The results from the study revealed that convectional tillage had the highest growth and yield parameters, followed by reduced convectional while the least growth and yield parameters were observed under traditional tillage method. Economically, reduced convectional tillage has the highest cost benefit ratio between the ranges of 3.05 and 3.61, followed by convectional tillage between the ranges of 2.31 and 2.88 while the least ranges of 2.11 and 2.76 of cost benefit ratio was calculated for traditional tillage method, for 2021 and 2022 farming seasons, respectively. Results from the study indicated that reduced convectional tillage method is more appropriate for the planting of fluted pumpkin and other cucurbitaceous crops in the study area.