EVALUATION OF EGUSI VARIETIES (CUCUMEROPSIS MANNII L.) FOR GROWTH AND YIELD IN BAUCHI STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, YELWA, BAUCHI. NIGERIA.

Dr.(Mrs.) Nanyi J.I. Dutse, Deborah Amari, Daniel Hajji, Dawom Joseph

INTRODUCTION

Egusi commonly referred to as: egusi in Yoruba, Egushi in Igbo and agusi in Hausa, Nigerian dialects is schematically referred to as, Cucumeropsis mannii L., belong to the Family Cucurbitaceae, genus Cucumeropsis specie mannii .(WIKIPEDIA,2022). Some scientist considers it as specie of Citrulus lanatus. While some refer to it as Colocynthis citrullus (echocommunity 2022). While some scientist consider it as a species of Citrulus lanatus (Ogbonna,2006). Egusi(Cucumeropsis mannii) is a trailing annual plant with branching tendrils. Generally it is allowed to grow without support, its stem is angular, leaves are lobed. Plant body is generally covered with rough hairs. Male and female flowers are borne on the same plant hence a monoeciuos plant. (Tindall,1965). Cucumeropsis mannii is a fast spreading creeping vine. It produces climbing vines up to 4 meters long which are covered in stiff hairs; Its leaves are heart shaped or roughly palmate up to 12 cm long and 14 cm wide. Its fruits are egg shaped or elongated ovate shaped about 19 cm long. (WIKIPEDIA, 2022). Cucumeropsis mannii is said to be native to tropical Africa west ot east rift. It is drought tolerant, thriving in West African dry regions, adapted to semi arid zones. Major growing nations include: Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’ivore. Benin, Nigeria.(WIKIPEDIA,2022).Cucumeropsis mannii as a widely grown crop  in West Africa, with Nigeria accounting for about 65% of total production. The states with high melon production in Nigeria are: Enugu, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Kogi. (NRC, 2006) Egusi (Cucumeropsis mannii) prefers warm well fertilized soil, with good drainage that is also rich in nutrients.(WIKIPEDIA).