AGRONOMIC EVALUATION OF TWO PASSION FRUIT GENOTYPES IN CONTAINERS (MEGA-POT) PREDICTED CORRESPONDING PERFORMANCES UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

Background. The evaluation of crop variety in the field involves large expanse of land and could be expensive but container evaluation of crops is thought to complement field evaluation. Objective. To compare the growth and fruit yield of yellow passion fruit in the field and container (mega-pots) as influenced by varying rates of poultry manure with the hypothesis that vines grown in containers could predict the performance of the crop in the field. Methodology. Two yellow passion fruit genotypes (KPF-4 and ‘Conventional’) received varying rates of poultry manure (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 t/ha) in both the field and containers. These were laid out as split plot in randomized complete block design and completely randomized design, replicated four and ten times, respectively in the field and pots. Results. In both field and pot, days to first flowering and fruit dropping were earlier in KPF-4 than ‘Conventional’. Vine girth and number of branches were not significant different (p>0.05) between the genotypes in both field and container. Most of the fruit yield traits obtained from either field or pot experiment did not statistically vary between the genotypes except fruit length and circumference. The application of poultry manure (PM) reduced the days to first flowering but enhanced the growth characteristics of the vines compared to vines that received no manure. Increase in PM rate increased the number of fruits picked per plant. The economic analysis of both studies indicated that net return and return per naira invested increased with increase in PM rates with the peak at 20 t/ha PM application. Implications. Pot studies could be utilized for preliminary evaluation of crops and prediction of field performances. Conclusion. The study revealed that phenology, growth and fruit yield of the two genotypes had relatively similar responses to PM rates in both pot and field studies, yet less inputs were made in the pot study.