Scholarly Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 2(8), pp. 157-162, August, 2012 Available online at http:// www.scholarly-journals.com/SJAS ISSN 2276-7118 ©2012 Scholarly-Journals Full Length Research Paper Comparative Study of Growth Parameters and Marketable Leaf Yield of The Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F.) Genotypes Collected from Seven Southern Nigerian States Fayeun, LS, AC. Odiyi, and O. Adetunji Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Accepted 27 July, 2012 Investigation were carried out on thirty-five genotypes of fluted pumpkin collected from seven states in southern Nigeria, to compare growth parameters and marketable leaf yield of the collected fluted pumpkin genotypes. This study was undertaken at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure during the rainy season of 2010. The data collected on the parameters were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine existing differences. The genotypes from different states were found to be different from one another. Intra-state variability was highest among the genotypes from Imo State. Based on the mean performance, the genotypes from southeastern Nigeria (Imo and Anambra states) performed best in marketable leaf yield. Furthermore, the genotypes from Imo State had the highest level of variability. This suggests that Imo State might be the centre of origin of this underutilized crop. Keywords: Fluted pumpkin; Genotypes; Variability; Marketable leaf yield INTRODUCTION Vegetable production and consumption is an ancient practice in Africa. This practice engages many people throughout the year in both production and marketing (Smith and Eyzaguirre, 2007). The growing awareness in the recent years of the health promoting and protecting properties of vegetables has directed attention to vegetables as vital components of daily diets (Smith and Eyzaguirre, 2007). This attention on vegetables as vital dietary components reinforces the significant roles that leafy vegetables have long held as important components in African diets; they are indispensable ingredients of soups or sauces that accompany carbohydrate staples (Chweya and Eyzaguirre, 1999). Among the important indigenous vegetables, the fluted pumpkin seems to be widely eaten in Nigeria and cultivated for its edible succulent shoots and leaves as a backyard crops mainly by the Igbo tribe (Akoroda, 1990). With the spread of Igbos to other parts Nigeria, the fluted pumpkin is now Corresponding Author E-mail:lawrencefayeun@yahoo.com cultivated in almost all parts of Nigeria. Strong association of the Igbos with the fluted pumpkin has earned the crop the name “Igbo vegetable” in some localities (Akoroda, 1990). T. occidentalis is one of the popular and widely grown vegetables crop in Nigeria particularly in the eastern states (Anambra, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi States) and mid-western area (Edo and Delta States) and to an appreciable degree in south western states (Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo and Lagos) (Okoli and Mgbeogu, 1983). It is displacing other vegetables like Amaranthus, Celosia and others in Nigerian markets. It is more economical for farmers to grow fluted pumpkin either as a sole crop or as mixed crop. This is because it provides appreciable cash to small farm families (Akoroda, 1990). Consumers prefer it because of its ability to remain green and its better texture in soup for longer time compared with others. It is also cultivated for its seed that is rich in oil. T. occidentalis leaf is highly nutritious, rich in magnesium, iron and fibre (Akoroda, 1990; Ehiagbonare, 2008). Its nutritional composition and medicinal uses are of great importance. The leaf extract believed to serve as a remedy to anaemia, high blood