Effect of Selected Liquid Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativusl)

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue III, March 2021|ISSN 2454-6194

Effect of Selected Liquid Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativusl)

Aluko, K.A.¹, Aderemi, A.M.², Elesho, R.O.³, Majekodunmi, O.A.^4
1,⁴Agricultural Technology Department, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Nigeria
²,³Horiculture and Landscape Technology Department, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract: This study examined the effect of two different liquid organic fertilizers on the growth of Cucumis sativus. The experiment was carried out at the pineapple nursery of the National Institute of Horticultural Research and Training (NIHORT) Idi-Ishin Ibadan. The experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments replicated three times with each block representing a replicate. The liquid fertilizers were applied to stands of Cucumis sativus on the field four weeks after planting and the experiment was monitored for nine weeks thereafter for growth and fruiting. The result showed that SuperGrow liquid fertilizer applied at 2ml/L had the best growth in terms of leaf production in block 1(109.00), while the control was best in block 2 having a leaf mean number of 63.2. In block 3 superGrow applied at lml/L was best with mean leaf number of 84.3. The result of the height growth showed that SuperGrow applied at 2m/L performed best. In terms of fruit production, SuperGrow applied at 2m1/L had the best performance across the blocks having 15.6, 13.2 and 12.4 for block, 2 and 3 respectively. The result of the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that there was no significant difference among the five treatments but a significant difference was observed among the blocks. The overall result indicated that SuperGrow applied at 2ml/L performed best and was therefore recommended for the growth of C. sativus.

I. INTRODUCTION

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most profitable vegetable crops grown under protected cultivation systems all over the world , and it belongs to the gourd family of curcubitaceace (El-wanis, 2012).
Cucumber (Cucurnis sativus Linn) is one of the most popular members of Cucurbitaceae (vine crop) family. It is cultivated for fresh fruit andpickling which are locally consumed or exported to increase national income. The crop is cultivated in most parts of Northern Nigeria and some parts of Eastern part of Nigeria. Meanwhile, peasant farmers who lack information on some important cultural practice, this has led to low yield in the production of cucumber fruit. (Ekwu et al, 2007). Cucumber is highly medicinal and used in aiding digestion, dysentery control, cosmetics that are applied on the skin to keep it soft and smooth. It is rich in vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and other essential nutrient element. Cucumber can be eaten raw or cooked or baked, it also serves as source of income to the farmer.

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