ABSTRACT

This study examines the comparative study of yield and growth of two (2) varieties of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) cultivated in Umudike, Abia state, under natural condition. Watermelon belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its centre of origin has been traced to both the Kalahari and Sahara deserts in Africa and these areas have been regarded as point of diversification to other parts of the world. The experiment was carried out under field conditions. Completely randomized design was employed for the experiment which comprise of two (2) different varieties of watermelon (Raider52 and Wantoma60). The land used size was 20 by 25 metre in size, on a sandy clay soil. The total of 26 stands was made for the cultivation with 2 seeds per stand. The planting was carried out under zero application of manure or fertilizer, it was performed under natural condition and in this case, nothing was applied to it.  All the stands were watered every day; morning and most times, evening. Most of the seeds sprouted from the 5th day after planting. The different parameters studied were vine length, number of flowers, number of fruits, size of fruits and weight of fruits. The result shows that the growth was influenced by duration (week) in which it has lasted. The growth and some yield of the two (2) different Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) from the research carried out  shows that Wantoma60 had 0.18m over Raider52 with 0.17m under size of fruit, with significant different at (P<0.01). The weight of fruit was 1.16g over 1.21g for Raider52 and Wantoma60. Raider52 had more vine length and number of fruit of 3.36m and 1.92m over Wantoma60 with 1.45m and 1.85m, though it had no significant different at (P<0.05). Wantoma60 had more number of flowers with 2.05 over Raider52 with 2.04, at no significant different of (P<0.05) respectively

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of contents v

List of tables vi

Abstract vii

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Taxonomy of Watermelon 5

1.2 Nutritional Value of Watermelon 5

1.3 Objective of this study 7

1.4 Justification of the Study 8

CHAPTER TWO 9

LITERATURE REVIEW 9

2.1 Origin and Distribution of Watermelon 9

2.2 Historical Review of Watermelon 9 

2.3 Organic Farming Techniques 11

2.3.1 Organic Fertilizer 11

2.3.2 Compost 11

2.3.3 Green Manure 12

2.3.4 Animal Manure 13

2.3.5 Mulching 13

2.3.6 Weed Control 13

2.4 Benefit of Organic Farming 14

2.41 Benefit of Organic Farming to the Environment 14

2.5 Watermelon Varieties 14

2.6. Economic Importance and uses of Watermelon 17

CHAPTER THREE 18

3.0 Materials and Methods 18

3.1 Study Area 18

3.2 Design of Experiment 18

3.3 Collection and Samples Identification 18

3.4 Natural Condition of Farming 19

3.5 Land Preparation 19

3.6 Cultural Conditions 19 

3.7 Measurement of Growth Parameters 20 

3.8 Soil Collection/Analysis 20

CHAPTER FOUR 22

4.0 RESULTS 22

CHAPTER FIVE 25

5.0 Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation 25

5.1 Discussion 25

5.2 Conclusion 27

5.3 Recommendation 27

REFERENCES