The growth and nutrient uptakes of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis var. Flavicarpa) seedlings in response to organic fertiliser application under tropical conditions

Passion fruit is valued for its intense flavoured juice used in juice mixes. Though cultivation is prominent in many tropical regions, it is a new crop in southwest Nigeria regardless of the favourable ecology. New crop establishment depends on meeting the nutrient requirements, among other growth resources. Two experiments were conducted at Abeokuta to evaluate the optimum rate(s) of Sunshine Organic Fertilizer? (SOF) required for the growth of the seedlings. The SOF was applied at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 t/ha in experiments arranged in Completely Randomised Design (CRD) replicated thrice. The application of SOF improved the growth of seedlings, but a rate above 2.0 t/ha resulted in depressed growth. In experiment 1, the application of 0.5 t/ha SOF gave the highest values of 152.7 cm, 19 mm and 19.0 for vine length, vine diameter and the number of leaves. In experiment 2, the number of leaves was the highest at 1.0 t/ha though similar to 1.5 and 2.0 t/ha. The application of SOF had a significant influence on the seedling leaf area (LA) in the experiments. The largest LA occurred in seedlings treated with SOF at 2.0 and 2.5 t/ha. Dry weight and foliar nutrient uptakes in both experiments were significantly influenced by SOF application. The application of SOF at 0.5 t/ha in experiment 1 resulted in higher N uptake, but the reverse was the trend in experiment 2, with higher nutrient uptakes at 1.5-2.5 t/ha SOF. Conclusively, an optimal rate of 2.0 t/ha had positive effects on seedling response.