Pepino melon (Solanum muricatum Ait.) is an exotic vegetable whose consumption is on the increase in Kenya due to its health and nutritional benefits. A study was conducted at Egerton University, Kenya in 2018-2019 to investigate the effect of NPK fertilizer rates (0, 100, 200. 300 and 400 kg ha-1) on growth and yield of field and greenhouse grown pepino melons. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was recorded on plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per bush, number of branches, days to 50% flowering, fruit weight and total yield. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with the SAS statistical package. Significant means were separated using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference at p ≤ 0.05. Results indicated that NPK fertilizer rates and growing environment influenced growth and yield of pepino melon. At 100 DAP plants grown in the greenhouse and supplied with 200 kg NPK ha-1 had a stem diameter of 14.01 mm which was significantly bigger p ≤ 0.05 compared to those grown in the field and supplied with 300 kg NPK ha-1 with a stem diameter of 11.71 mm in trial two. Application of 300 kg NPK ha-1 for field grown pepino melons gave the highest yield of 1102.48 kg ha-1 and 1060.55 kg ha-1 in trial one and two respectively. In conclusion, application of 300 kg ha-1 of NPK fertilizer for field grown pepino melon is recommended.

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The present study evaluated the effect of NPK fertilizer (17:17:17) rates (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha-1) on the postharvest quality of field and greenhouse grown pepino melons (Solanum muricatum Ait.) stored at room temperature (15-22°C) and at low temperature (7°C). The study was carried out in randomized complete block design with fruits from the field and greenhouse, five NPK fertilizer rates as treatments and the two storage temperatures replicated three times. Data were collected on percentage fruit weight loss (PWL), total soluble solids (TSS), firmness and shelf life. Results indicated that greenhouse and field grown fruits from the control and plants supplied with 100 kg NPK ha-1 had low PWL at both storage temperatures. Field grown fruits from the control stored at room temperature had the highest TSS and were firmer after 28 days of storage. Field grown fruits not supplied with fertilizer and stored at low temperature had a shelf life of 27 and 26 days in trial one and two respectively. Application of 100 kg NPK ha-1 and storage of pepino melon fruits at low temperature can be used to enhance quality and shelf life.

Despite potato yield potential, its intensification level remain low in Rwanda, translating into low yield occasioned mainly by the decline in soil fertility. Field experiments were conducted in Birunga, Mudende [L1]) and Buberuka, Rwerere [L2] highlands Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs), during September- December 2016 and March-June 2017 crop growing seasons to determine the effects of varying rates of N, P and K on potato tuber yield and yield components. The experiments were laid out using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement, with four replicates. Factors were N rates (NX) i.e N1-0 kg ha-1, N2 – 50 kg ha-1, N3 – 100 kg ha-1 ; P2O5 rates (PX) i.e P1-0 kg ha-1, P2 – 50 kg ha-1, P3 – 100 kg ha-1and K2O rates (Kx) i.e K1- 0 kg ha1and K2- 50 kg ha-1. Number of tubers per plant, fresh tuber weight, small tuber yield, medium tuber yield, large tuber yield and total tuber yield were measured. Analysis of variance, performed using SAS-version 9.2, revealed that interaction effects of N×P×K were very highly significant on all parameters. Generally, N3×P3×K2 performed better than other treatments and recorded highest tuber yields in all situations: (32.73 ± 0.43) t ha-1[L1] and (29.36 ± 0.41) t ha-1 [L2] and (31.05 ± 0.52) t ha-1for pooled ANOVA. Contrarily to what happened at L2, N3P3K2 andN2P3K2 were not significantly different at L1. N2P3 K2 is recommended to L1 whereas N3P3K2 is recommended to L2.