GROWTH AND FRUIT SIZE OF PUMPKIN (CUCURBITA PEPO L.) AS INFLUENCED BY PHOSPHOROUS FERTILIZER RATE AND PINCHING REGIME IN OWERRI, NIGERIA

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is a naturally bio-fortified crop and used in food based intervention programs to address vitamin A deficiency (VAD). The study was on the growth and yield response of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) to Phosphorus fertilizer rates and Pinching regime in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. The experiment was carried out at the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Owerri, Imo State, consisting of 3x3 factorial fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a total of 9 treatments combination replicated 3 times. The treatments are phosphorus fertilizer rates (0,30, and 60kg) and pinching regime( 0,3 and 6 weeks). The following data collected on growth parameters (number of leaves, vine length, leaf area, number of branches, days to 50% flowering) and yield parameters (number of fruit per plant ,number of fruit per plot, weight per fruit, weight per plant and weight per plot and per hectare respectively). Results showed that phosphorus fertilizer at the rate of 60 and 30kg/ha, respectively and pinching regime at 3 and 6 weeks, respectively optimally improved yield generally (per fruit, per plot and per hectare).Hence they are recommended for Farmers in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.