O.J.Ayodele  , S.O. Omotoso  , C.O. Akinrinsola  , 
    Phosphorus Fertilizer use in Melon (<I>Egusi</I>) Seed Production: Effects on Yield, Oil and Protein Content and Nutrient Composition,
    Agricultural Journal,
    Volume 1,Issue 4,
    2006,
    Pages 216-220,
    ISSN 1816-9155,
    aj.2006.216.220,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=aj.2006.216.220)
    Abstract: Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of P application on egusi grown in two Alfisols soils at Ibadan in the subhumid zone of South-Western Nigeria. There were five P treatments (0, 10, 0, 0, 40 kg P.ha <SUP>1</SUP>), applied as single superphosphate (SSP, 18% P<SUB>2</SUB>0<SUB>5</SUB>).  The treatments were replicated four times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. The result indicated that fruit and seed (egusi) yields increased significantly (p&gt;0.05), 0 kgP.ha <SUP>1</SUP> produced highest yield in 1999 and did not differ from higher rates up to 40 kgP.ha<SUP>-1</SUP> in 2000.  Seed yield increased in relation to the significant improvement in fruit number plant <SUP>1</SUP>, average fruit size and weight. Yield components, leaf N, P, K and S, seed P and S, oil and protein content increased significantly with P application whereas leaf and seed Ca level declined. The substantial increases in seed yield, oil yield and protein content justify the recommendation of 16-20  kgP.ha <SUP>1</SUP> for optimum egusi seed production.
    Keywords: Alfisols;melon (Egusi);phosphorus;seed;protein;oil;nutrients