EFFECT OF SOIL AMENDMENT WITH RICE HUSKS AND COW DUNG ON THE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF PYTHIUM DAMPING-OFF OF “EGUSI” MELON (<i>Colocynthis Vulgaris</i> (L) Kantz) IN THE SAVANNA AGROECOLOGIES OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Experiments were conducted in green-house for 2 years to study the effects of organic manure amendments on the incidence of Pythium damping-off of melon. Pasturized soil in plastic pots was infected with cultures of Pythium aphanidermatum and mixed with rice husks and cow dungs respectively . The organic amendments added to the soil were allowed to decompose for 0,5,10, and 20days before planting melon seeds, while the control experiment was Pythium – infected soil without amendments. Pythium damping-off was less severe in the seedlings raised under rice husk and cow dung amendments. Increase in days of decomposition before planting also influenced significantly the effect of rice husk and cow compost on the incidence and severity of the the disease. The number of developed leaves of melon seedlings was highest in soil with seeds sown 20 days after amendment with compost. Melon seedlings in the control without amendment collapsed 7 days after germination.


KEY WORDS: Pythium aphanidermatum, Soil amendment, Melon, Damping off


Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 102-105