Leaf and Fruit Yield Performance of <i>Telfairia occidentalis</i> Hook F. (Fluted Pumpkin) as Influenced by Fruit Size

An experiment to ascertain the influence of fruit size on the yield of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) was conducted in 2011 and 2012 at Nsukka. The mature fruits of T. occidentalis were graded into three length groups: large (more than 50 cm), medium (34-50 cm) and small (less than 34 cm). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six replications. The following data were collected: length of the longest vine, number of leaves/plant, vine diameter, marketable leaf and fruit yield. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance while Genotype by Genotype x Environment interaction biplot was used to show which-won-where among the groups. Significant means were separated using Fisher’s least significant differences. Medium sized fruits gave the highest marketable leaf yield that was significantly higher than the small sized fruits in both years. Small sized fruits were significantly (p<0.05) lower in total leaf yield, fruit weight/hectare, fruit circumference (33.9 cm) and length (22 cm). The biplot explained 100% of the variation in the fruit sizes. Large sized fruits were the best performer in fruit length, while medium sized fruits performed better in total marketable leaf yield, average fruit weight, number of fruits/hectare and total fruit weight/hectare. The highest Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.2 and 2.6 in 2011 and 2012, respectively were obtained from medium sized fruits Medium sized fruit are recommended in favour of small sized fruit for leaf and fruit production, having higher economic returns

Leaf and Fruit Yield Performance of <i>Telfairia occidentalis</i> Hook F. (Fluted Pumpkin) as Influenced by Fruit Size

An experiment to ascertain the influence of fruit size on the yield of fluted pumpkin (<i>Telfairia occidentalis</i> Hook F.) was conducted in 2011 and 2012 at Nsukka. The mature fruits of <i>T. occidentalis</i> were graded into three length groups: large (more than 50 cm), medium (34-50 cm) and small (less than 34 cm). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six replications. The following data were collected: length of the longest vine, number of leaves/plant, vine diameter, marketable leaf and fruit yield. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance while Genotype by Genotype x Environment interaction biplot was used to show which-won-where among the groups. Significant means were separated using Fisher’s least significant differences. Medium sized fruits gave the highest marketable leaf yield that was significantly higher than the small sized fruits in both years. Small sized fruits were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower in total leaf yield, fruit weight/hectare, fruit circumference (33.9 cm) and length (22 cm). The biplot explained 100% of the variation in the fruit sizes. Large sized fruits were the best performer in fruit length, while medium sized fruits performed better in total marketable leaf yield, average fruit weight, number of fruits/hectare and total fruit weight/hectare. The highest Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.2 and 2.6 in 2011 and 2012, respectively were obtained from medium sized fruits Medium sized fruit are recommended in favour of small sized fruit for leaf and fruit production, having higher economic returns.</p

Karl Popper and the production of scientific knowledge through the non-recognition of the sacred

Africa is a geographical space where the “impossibilities” are given sacred status. Some occurrences are attributed to one or more sacred or spiritual entities whose intervention or presence can never be questioned. Whoever interrogates such a force is often seen as either abnormal or irresponsible. More often than not, one is bound to ask: Where are the intellectuals whose ideas should be able to remove these biases or veils from the minds of people? But the unfortunate thing is that they too are involved in this despondency. The fundamental problem here is that there is underdevelopment everywhere especially as it relates to science. But Popper had a different idea in mind. His idea is that science flourishes more where nothing is sacred. So, what has Popper done to ensure that sacred entities are overlooked while espousing scientific ideals? Leveraging on the critical method, which is an exercise of careful judgment or evaluation, this work demonstrates that scientific progress is a product of deconstruction of the spiritual aspect of reality. This work will be of benefit for humanity because it will, with instances, show that progress is a product of falsification of the products/processes of the sacred

Heterosis and combining ability in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

The objective of this work was to evaluate four parental lines of cucumber which included: ‘Zeina’ (Zna), ‘Beit Alpha’ (BA), ‘Straight 8’ (Strght 8) and ‘Calypso’ (Capso) and six F1s generated by diallel cross, using randomized complete block design with three replications to study heterosis and combining ability for yield and yield component traits. Estimated heterosis showed that cross ‘Zna × Capso’ had the highest Better Parent (BP) heterosis in total fruit yield/ha while ‘BA × Capso’ had the highest Mid Parent (MP) heterosis in the same trait. Significant general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability variances were obtained in all the traits implying that both the additive and non-additive gene effects operated in the genetic expression of the traits. Relative magnitude of GCA and SCA variances indicated preponderance of additive gene action for all the traits. ‘Beit Alpha’ and ‘Straight 8’ are best general combiners while ‘BA × Capso’ and ‘Capso × Strght 8’ were the best specific combiners for total fruit yield. Keywords: Cucumber, Hybrid vigour, Half diallel crosses, GCA, SC