Growth Response of Yellow Passion Fruit to Fertilizer Application

Abstract

The response of passion fruit grown on a low nutrient sandy - loam soil was investigated in a field trial. Passion fruit is a tropical – growing vine that is cultivated mainly for its juice but has some other ethnomedicinal uses. In this research work, the yellow form (Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa) was grown in field under two rates (5 and 10t/ha) Pacesetter organic fertilizer grade B - POF (B). During the one year of experimentation, both agronomic characteristics and yield were evaluated. The fertilization of passion fruit with (POF B) did not enhance the vegetative growth within the period of observation (6 – 11 weeks after transplanting). However higher rate of POF (B) recorded higher values than the 5t/ha application. The effect of POF (B) application on the reproductive development enhanced earlier, higher and consistent flowerbud formation and flower set. The result suggested application of POF (B) above 5t/ha for reproductive phase with subsequent fruit production.