Growth and Nutritional Content of Telfairia occidentalis in Response to Irrigation Regime

摘要

There is a need to determine the watering regime that can be used to increase the nutritional contents of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook). Seedlings of cv. Igbo were subjected to three watering regimes: daily (control) and at 3- and 5-day intervals beginning from 5 days after germination. Long interval water regimes had a negative effect on plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight of T. occidentalis. Plants subjected to water stress accumulated more calcium, iron, vitamin B₁₂, and vitamin C than control plants; the values were higher when watered at 5-day intervals. It appears that T. occidentalis should be watered at more than 3-day intervals to increase nutritional value.