FLUTED PUMPKIN

The study was conducted at the screen house of the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. Four different potting media sources: Top soil (TS ), Rice husk (RS ), Poultry manure (PM ) and Oil Palm Refuse Bunch (OPRB ), were used as substrate. The objective of the study was to determine the appropriate potting medium the for the growth and yield of Fluted pumpkin (Telferia occidentalis ) . The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Data was collected on plant height , stem girth , number of leaves ,leaf length , leaf girth, leaf area , dry weight, moisture content and herbage yield. Results obtained after six (6 )weeks showed that Potting media had significant (p < 0.05 ) effect on growth characters. Plants in top soil and Rice husk media exhibited better growth performance than poultry manure and oil palm refuse bunch. Herbage yield , dry and moisture content of fluted pumpkin were significant ( p < 0.05 ) by potting media . Plants solved in top soil had the highest herbage yield which was similar with rice husk plants . Plants in top soil , rice husk and oil palm refuse bunch had comparable values. There was no yield for poultry manure plants as the plants withered immediately after four ( 4 ) weeks after sowing . Top soil potting media is thereby suggested for fluted pumpkin growers due it's ease of availability, handling and also had 12 % herbage yield advantage over rice husk.

This study examined the comparative economic analysis of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin in Benin metropolis Edo State. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of fluted pumpkin and waterleaf farmers in the study area, identified and compared the production operations of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin, determined and compared the profitability of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin production, examined and compared the factors affecting the production of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin and identified the constraints faced by farmers in the production of fluted pumpkin and waterleaf in the study area. Multistage sampling procedure involving the combination of purposive, and simple random sampling technique was used to sample a total of 90 respondents (39 for waterleaf and 51 for fluted pumpkin respondent). The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary model, and multiple regression model and t- test. The results of the analysis showed the mean age of 52years for waterleaf and 53years for fluted pumpkin while 74.36% were female for waterleaf farmers and 84.31% were also female for fluted pumpkin farmers. The results also revealed that 56.41% had primary education for Waterleaf farmers and 58.82% for Fluted Pumpkin farmer and the highest form of education is primary education

This study investigated the comparative drying performance and product quality of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves processed using traditional open sun drying (OSD) and an improved parabolic-shaped solar dryer (PSSD). Freshly harvested fluted pumpkin leaves were divided into two batches and dried under both methods to a target moisture content of 10% (wet basis). Key performance indicators measured included drying time, drying rate, and final moisture content, while sensory attributes such as colour, odour, texture, and overall acceptability were assessed using a 9-point Hedonic Scale. Results revealed that the PSSD achieved significantly faster drying (4.55 h) and higher drying (21.78 g/hr) compared to OSD (6.05 h and 16.22 g/hr, respectively), with the statistically significant (p = 0.027). Sensory evaluation further indicated that leaves dried with the PSSD were preferred (overall acceptability = 7.9) to those dried under open sunlight (5.9), with superior colour retention and aroma preservation (p < 0.001). The enhanced efficiency and product quality observed in parabolic solar drying demonstrate its potential as a sustainable, energy-efficient alternative for preserving perishable leafy vegetables in Nigeria. Adoption of this technology can substantially reduce postharvest losses, improve marketability, and promote year-round availability of nutrient-rich vegetables like fluted pumpkin.