3. Results
The protein, fat, ash, crude fibre and carbohydrate in pumpkin
young and mature fruits were generally significantly influenced
by fertilizer, the values decreased with increasing fertilizer. Fertilizer
influence showed that proximate values of protein, fat, ash
and crude fibre in pumpkin young and mature fruits were similar
at 0, 50 and 100 kg NPK/ha. The nutrient values were reduced significantly
when compared to the control from the application of
150 kg/ha of NPK and this continued to the highest fertilizer rate
(250 kg NPK/ha). The carbohydrate result contrasted with the others.
The values increased with increased fertilizer rates. Carbohydrate
content in pumpkin young and mature fruits was highest
with the application of 200 and 250 kg/ha and lowest in 0 and
50 kg/ha (Figs. 1–5).
In comparison, at 0–150 kg/ha fertilizer application, the protein
content of the mature fruit was significantly (p = 0.05) higher than
that of young fruit, while the fat content was only significantly
higher at 250 kg/ha (Figs. 1 and 2). The ash content, which is an
index of the mineral content, was significantly higher also in t