Phosphorus Application Influenced Yield and Chemical Composition of Snake Tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina L.)

Abstract

This experiment was carried out on the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta to determine the effects of phosphorus application rates on yield and chemical composition of snake tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina L). The treatments were four levels of phosphorus application (15, 30, 45 and 60 kg/ha), and the control plot at zero level. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Phosphorus application significantly (p<0.05) increased the fruit yield at 15 kg/ha up to 30 kg P ha-1, beyond which there was a decline. Chemical composition of the harvested fruits showed that the plots that received 45 and 60 kg P/ha had significantly (p<0.05) higher Na content than the other levels. Similarly, Mg content of the fruits increased significantly (p<0.05) with increasing levels of phosphorus application. The vitamin C and β carotene content of the fruits were higher at 15 kg/ha P than the other treatments. Vitamin A was significantly (p<0.05) higher in fruits harvested from the fertilized plots than those of the control. The acidity and Brix content of fruit tissue were highest at 15 and 30 kg/ha P, but not statistical significance.