Effect of different concentrations of aqueous <i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i> extract on flowering and fruiting in some vegetables

A study was conducted in 2013 at the Screen House of Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano to test the effect of aqueous extract of of Ascophyllum nodosum extract on flowering and fruiting in watermelon (Cowlak) and okra (NHB-AI-13). Treatment consisted of four levels of the extract (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0g/L) and a control. These were replicated three times. Results obtained on the number of days to flowering in both plants showed significant effect of the extract. Plants treated with 1.5 and 2.0g/L seaweed extract flowered earlier and produced greater number of flowers and subsequently more number of fruits. Average number of flowers were greater in both plants treated with 2.0g/L. However, the average number of fruits per plant was observed to be 5.33 and 2.33 in okra and watermelon respectively treated with 2.0g/L which is greater than 2.00 and 0.33 observed in the same plants given 0g/L. Replications treated with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 also showed greater effect on the onset of flowering, number of flowers as well as the fruit yield when compared with the control treatment. Key words: Watermelon, Okra, Seaweed, flowering, fruiting