Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Comparative studies on effects of seed size and sowing depth on the vegetative growth of Telfairia occidentalis (Hook. f.)

11^th Global Summit on Food & Beverages

September 22-24, 2016 Las Vegas, USA

Umeoka N and Ogbonnaya C I

Imo State University, Nigeria
Abia State University, Nigeria

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

A split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 3 replications was used to study the effect of three (small=10.01�??10.05 g, medium=22.25�??22.30 g, and large=32.25�??33.00 g) seed sizes and four (3 cm, 6 cm, 9 cm and 12 cm) sowing depths on the germination and growth of Telfairia occidentalis at Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria. Small and large seeds had significantly the highest and least seedling emergence respectively. Small seeds gave significantly the highest leaf number per plant, leaf area, relative growth rate and leaf, stem and dry weights. Large seeds had statistically the least result of the above parameters. However, large seeds had the highest (P 0.05) leaf area ratio. Seeds sown at 3 cm and 6 cm depths emerged faster than seeds sown at 9 cm and 12 cm depths. Seeds sown at 3 cm depths had the highest significant percentage germination, plant heights, and leaf area. In terms of plant biomass, 12 cm and 6 cm sowing depths gave significantly the highest and least leaf and stem dry weights respectively. At the 12th week of the study 3 cm and 12 cm gave significantly the highest and least relative growth rates respectively. In terms of seed size and sowing depths treatment interactions, large seeds in all the sowing depths had the highest (P 0.05) root shoot ratios. Small and large seeds in all the sowing depths gave significantly and respectively the highest and least relative growth rates, leaf number, stem and leaf dry weights. Small seeds at the various sowing depths also had significantly the highest plant heights. This study recommends the use of small seed sizes (10 g) and 3 cm sowing depth for production of T. occidentalis.

Biography :

Email: umeokankiru@yahoo.co.uk