Comparative Assessment of Growth and Yield of Vegetables Grown from Seed and Seedlings

This study aimed to assess the performance of two planting methods in vegetable farming systems: direct seeding and transplanting seedlings. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. A 2 × 4 factorial design within a randomized complete block design was employed, with four replications. Four widely cultivated vegetable crops were selected for the study: garden egg plant (Solanum melongena), amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor), waterleaf (Talinum triangulare), and bell peppers (Capsicum annuum). The parameters evaluated included days to emergence, days to 50% emergence, plant height at 7 and 9 weeks after planting (WAP) and at flowering, number of leaves at 7 and 9 WAP and at flowering, days to flowering and fruiting, and fruit count per plot. The results indicated that germination and overall growth were significantly (p<0.05) improved when vegetables were grown from seedlings. Transplanted seedlings exhibited earlier emergence, enhanced growth, and accelerated development compared to those grown directly from seed. Consequently, vegetable production can be optimized through the use of seedlings for transplantation.