A Scientific Assessment of Integrated Nutrient Management Effects on the Growth and Productivity of Trichosanthes anguina L. (Snake Gourd)

Abstract

A field-based experimental investigation was undertaken from March to July 2020 at the Horticultural Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to assess the impact of integrated nutrient management on the growth and yield of snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.). The study employed a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications, incorporating a total of 11 nutrient combinations. Various growth, reproductive, and yield parameters, including vine length, number of leaves per plant, leaf dimensions, flowering onset, fruit development, and yield metrics, were evaluated. The results consistently demonstrated positive effects across these parameters in response to different nutrient combinations. The highest recorded yield of snake gourd, at 50.10 t ha-1, was observed in the T10 ((OM (CD5PM5V2 t ha-1) + N80P35K75S18 kg ha-1 + Mg7 kg ha-1 + Zn6 kg ha-1 + B2 kg ha-1) treatment, while the lowest yield, at 14.72 t ha-1, was associated with the T0 (control) treatment. This experiment highlights the prospective efficacy of integrated nutrient management methodologies in augmenting snake gourd production and optimizing crop yield. It provides valuable insights for the improvement of agricultural practices in the specified geographic region.