Impact of Soil Salinity on Growth of Two Butternut Squash (Cucurbita Moschata L. Mellonia) Varieties in Mwea, Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Nyambura, M
Gathaara, M
Menge, D
Wanjogu, R
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Fortune Journals
Abstract
Eighty percent of Kenya is covered by the Arid and
Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) which is prone to salinity
as aridity exacerbates salinity. Farmers in these semiarid areas have adopted growth of non-staple food.
Butternut squash is widely cultivated as it requires
minimal rainfall and very little labor. Despite its
potential, little research has been carried out
specifically on growth response to salinity. This
study was carried out to determine the effects of
salinity on growth of Waltham butternut (Waltham)
and Jupiter F1 hybrid (Jupiter) which are among the
common varieties grown by farmers in Kenya. The
two varieties were subjected to five NaCl
concentrations i.e. 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM
resulting in ten treatments. These were arranged in a
randomized complete block design with three
replicates. A net plot was established from which the
following data were recorded; germination
percentage, plant height, leaf number, leaf area and plant girth. The data were subjected to Analysis of
variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using
Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5 percent level.
Salinity significantly reduced germination
percentage, leaf number, leaf area, plant height/length
and plant girth of Waltham and Jupiter. The
depressive effect of salt was less marked on growth
parameters of Jupiter implying it is more salt tolerant
compared to Waltham. Jupiter is therefore
recommended for cultivation in environments where
salinity is endemic. Further studies should be done on
this variety as a source of genes for salt tolerance that
could be exploited in future breeding programs.
Description
Article
Keywords
Randomized complete block design, Salinity, ANOVA, Butternut squash (Waltham, Jupiter)
Citation
Nyambura, M., Gathaara, M., Menge, D., & Wanjogu, R. (2022). Impact of Soil Salinity on Growth of two Butternut Squash (Cucurbita Moschata l. Mellonia) Varieties in Mwea, kenya. International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences, 12(2), 105-114.