Abstract:
Two environments (high tunnel and open field) and three levels of potassium fertilizer (0kg/ha, 100kg/ha and 200kg/ha) were evaluated for their effects on early growth and yield of three genotypes of passion fruits - conventional, purple and hybrid KPF-4 . Seedlings grown under the two environments showed significant (p<0.05) differences for the morphological growth parameters at varying months after treatment application. Highest numbers of unifoliate leaves 42.2, were observed in the open field than in the high tunnel 12.7. However, Longest vine 300.9cm was observed in plants inside the high tunnel compared to the open field that gave 105.6cm. Number of bifoliate and trifoliate leaves were not significantly different in the two environments but more were produced by plants inside the tunnel. Furthermore, number of unifoliate, bifoliate and trifoliate leaves, number of branches and vine length varied among the three genotypes; KPF-4 had the highest values than the other genotypes. Different levels of potassium fertilizer (muriate of potash) applied did not show significant difference although plants that received 200kg k2O/ha of potassium fertilizer produced more bifoliate and trifoliate leaves while vine length, number of unifoliate leaves and branches were higher on those that received 100kg k2O/ha than those with no fertilizer. Comparison of fresh weight of vine, leaf and total dry matter yield indicated that KPF-4 seedlings grown under the tunnel gave the best results. The combined effects of potassium and genotype revealed that conventional genotype with 100kg k2O/ha produced more juice volume and weight while the hybrid with 200kg k2O /ha had longer, wider and thicker fruits than those with no fertilizer. Percentage weight loss varied significantly (p<0.05) among the three rates of potassium fertilizer. Increase in weight loss was observed in plants with no fertilizer than those with fertilizer. Evidences from the study revealed that high tunnel and different rates of potassium fertilizer enhanced growth and yield quality of passion fruits. The hybrid KPF-4 grown with 100kg k2O/ha gave the best results than other genotypes.
