THE EFFECT OF ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND ORGANIC MULCH ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF WATERMELON (CITRULLUS LANATUS)



TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE

Dedication                                                             i
Preface                                                                  ii
Acknowledgement                                        iii
Abstract                                                                iv
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction                                                 1

Origin of watermelon and scientific
classification of watermelon                                   2
Varieties and uses/important of watermelon 3
Climate requirement, soil requirement,                  
cultural practices                                                   4-5
CHAPTER TWO
Materials and method                              6                          
Field layout                                                  7
Fertilizer Application                                              8       
CHAPTER THREE
Percentage germination                               9
Bar chart and pie chart                                 10
Analysis of vegetative parameters at (3) three weeks after planting number of leaves, vine length and number of vine -----------------11
Analysis of vegetative parameters at 6 weeks after plantings i.e
Number of leaving number of vines and vine length-------------------12
Analysis of vegetative parameters at Nine (9) weeks after planting number of leaves number of vine and vine and leng--------------54-66
YIELD PARAMETER
Analysis of number of marketable pod-------------------------------76-74
Analysis of non-marketable pods-------------------------------------75-79
Analysis of weight of pods--------------------------------------------83-95
Economic analysis --------------------------------------------------96-97
CHAPTER FOUR
Results and discussion
CHAPTER FIVE
Conclusion and Recommendation--------------------98 
Reference-----------------------------------------------99


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INTRODUCTION

This practical work was carried out to determine the effect of organic fertilizer and mulching material on watermelon, also their effects on the growth potential of watermelon and like wise found out the most suitable type of organic fertilizer and mulching material to be used in the production of watermelon.
Though different organic fertilizer like, poultry manures, swine doung and cow doungs and different mulching materials like sawdust, rise hush and zero mulching where used.
It is also very important to note that watermelon is a fruit and vegetable crops which are very prone to insect pest infestation and as a result, demand extremely care and most improved control measures to ensure optimum performance of these crop.  

ORIGIN OF WATERMELON

Watermelon originated from Southern Africa occurring naturally in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi
However, watermelon is thought to have been domesticated atleast 4,000 years ago.

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION OF WATERMELON

Kingdom                         -                  plantae
Division                 -                  magnoliophyta
Class                               -                  magnoliopsida
Order                    -                  cucurbitales
Family                             -                  cucurbitaceae
Genus                             -                  citrullus
Species                           -                  C. lanatus


VARIETIES OF WATERMELON

The following are some verities of watermelon:  

1.       Fair far – watermelon that are oblong and have a striped, and tough rind. The bright red flesh is very sweet excellent taste.
2.       Jubilee – these are long oval shaped watermelon with very tasty flesh that is deep red and very crisp.
3.       Golden midget watermelon these are an outstanding little watermelon with golden yellow ring and salmon pink flesh and pleasantly sweet
4.       Tom Watson watermelon: this is a variety that was very popular with home gardeners as well as market growers. The fruit is large with sweet, crisp dark-red flesh.

5.       Crimson sweet watermelon this is one of the very finest heirloom varieties of watermelon with an oblong shape has a sweet flesh that is brilliant and small seeds.

USES/IMPORTANT OF WATERMELON
1.       It is a good source of vitamins A and C and provides potassium and fibre.

2.       It contains high level of lycopene – an antioxidant that may help the body fight cancer and prevent disease.

3.       It can be used to treat anemia/calculi formation

4.       It contains lot of potassium, which is helpful in cleaning the toxic depositions in the kidney

5.       The potassium and magnesium in the watermelon helps in reducing the high blood pressure to normal ones

CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS OF WATERMELON
Watermelon prefers a hot, dry climate with mean daily temperature of 22 to 30oc the crop is very sensitive to frost
It thrives well at the maximum and minimum temperature of about 35 – 18oc respectively.

SOIL REQUIREMENT OF WATERMELON        

Watermelons grow best on soil that hold water well and have good air and water infiltration rates
Soil should have a PH of 6 to 7

CULTURAL PRACTICES OF WATERMELON PLANTING:

Planting spacing requirement vary depending on    variety selection, growing area, time of planting, and soil type which you must make sure that the soil is healthy and warm.

VARIETIES:–
Varieties of watermelon you plant is very important         to be considered depending on the type of soil and growing. Watermelon can be complicated too, not only because there are three basic types normal, hybrid, and seedless triploid, each type needs a different culture.



IRRIGATION:–
Watermelon vines appreciate sufficient water but over watering can be a problem if the vines are not growing on fast draining sand/soils.

MULCHING:-  
Is also very important to help in heating the soil and also retaining the water.

FLOWER TYPES BEES:
It is good to grow watermelon on where there are abundant wild pollinators, others regularly rent beehives for the pollination period


FERTILIZER:
This is also good in order to boost the growth and yield of the
watermelon.

PEST CONTROL:–
It is good to note that in general, the better the soil drainage and the drier the environment, the better the possibility that a vigorously growing watermelon crop won’t be seriously affected by a pest problem.

HARVEST:–
Timing the harvesting of a crop of watermelon can be assisted greatly by testing the sugar level in some sample watermelon with the use of hand
Watermelon harvested at an immature stage may develop a much redder color after harvest but the sugar level will never rise after harvest.                   

REFERENCE
Armstneng W.P 1999 Watermelon snow: a strange phenomenon cause by Algal cells of the chlorophyta Wayne’s word noteworthy plants August 1998-(24 April 2006).

William E., Williams, Holly L. Gerton, and Thoms C. Vogelman (January 21, 2013).

Regional statistics New south Wale.
Australian Bureau of statistics 2004, Retrieved 2009/2004/19

Port Macquarie New south Male, electoral commission 2008. Retrieved 19/04/2009.

Lord Home Island Community thriving online-community geographic domain names.
THE EFFECT OF ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND ORGANIC MULCH ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus)

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
                   PRODUCTION COST OF WATERMELON
S/N
Activities
Quantity
Amount
1
Clearing (grass)
-
125
2
Cultivation
One bed
237.50
3
Organic manure
10kg each
84
4
Zap
1
50
5
watermelon
32 seeds
93.75

seeds

N 590.25k
                                                                                                         
SALES ACCOUNT OF MARKETABLE POD
S/N
Item
Quantity
Weight
(N)
Amount
Total
Amount

Watermelon ponds
6
9.0
200
N1,200





N1,200

          Economic return can be calculated using GM=TR-TVC, where
          GM= Gross (profit) Margin TR= total revenue, TVC= Total
          Variable cost
          But TVC= N590.25
TR= N1,200
GN=1,200-N590.25
=609.75k for one plot
In 3m x3m bed, N609.75 was generated, which is equivalent to N 809.75,000 in par hectare. 609.75x10,000
= 3rn x 3m (9m2) =N609. 75
Iha ( 100000m2),                      =                 10,0000m2 x 609. 75
GM per hectare            =       609.7500   

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