Abstract

Okorocha Eliot Emeka

A research was carried out in the experimental farm of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to study some aspects of floral, fruit and seed yield characteristic of accessions of “Egusi” melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.). It was observed that male flower anthesis occurred earlier than female flower anthesis. Male flowers opened between 30 to 32 days after seedling emergence while female flowers opened at 32 to 34 days after seedling emergence. Number of male flowers at first female flower anthesis was in the range of 27 to 32. First male flower bud was produced in the fourth node on the main vine while the first female flower bud was produced in the ninth node on the main vine in all the accessions. The male flowers were also produced in a higher proportion than the female flowers. The ratio of male to female flowers produced/plant was in the range of 4:1 and 7:1. Number of fruits/plant, fruit yield/plant (kg) and average fruit weight (kg) ranged between 3.42 and 4.54, 3.08 and 3.72 and 0.78, and 0.90, respectively. Number of seeds/fruit, number of seeds/plant, seed yield/fruit (g) and seed yield/plant (g) ranged between 162.82 and 190.88, 652.81 and 815.25, 18.8 and 23.02, and 76.52 and 101.74, respectively.