GROWTH, YIELD AND NUTRIENT CONTENTS OF CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus L.) TREATED WITH POULTRY MANURE AND BOTANICALS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivation is increasing in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State in response to increasing demands. Nutrient deficiency and insect pests are, however, major constraints to its cultivation. The study therefore, aimed to determine optimum poultry manure (PM) and botanical extract (BE) rates required for optimum cucumber fruit yield and wholesomeness. The field trials were carried out in Sedfort Farms, Ogbe-Eruku (7o 00l N 3o 47l E) between July and September, 2023 for first planting (FP) and residual planting (RP) at two weeks after termination of FP between October and December 2023. Trial was laid out in split plot arrangement fitted into a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates. Main-plot was PM rate (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) while subplot was BE of Azadirachta indica,Jatropha gossypifolia, Tithonia diversifolia applied at 10% w/v and 625 L two times a week from 2 to 8 weeks after planting and no-spray (control).Data were collected on: vine length (VL); number of leaves (NL); average leaf area (ALA); insect population density (IPD); severity of leaf damage; number of days to first male and female flowering; number of days to first fruiting; number of fruits per plant (NFP); fruit weight; yield per plant; yield per hectare (YPH); fruit firmness (FF); total soluble solids (TSS); vitamins A and C contents. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance and significantly different means were separated using Least Significant Difference at 5% probability level. Poultry manure rate and BE significantly influenced growth, yield and insect infestation. In both trials, cucumber treated with 10 or 15 t of PM had significantly longer vines, higher NL, wider ALA and higher YPH (50.25% or 52.19% in FP and 50.20% or 69.66% in RP, respectively). Cucumber that received 0 or 5 t PM in RP, had the least IPD while 10 or 15 t PM treatments had significantly higher IPD, with 46.03% or 49.02%, respectively. Leaf damage was least on cucumber that received no PM. Plants treated with 5, 10, 15 t of PM treatments had significantly higher leaf damage of 38.42%, 41.32% or 50.60% in FP and 37.68%, 36.42% or 41.24% in RP, respectively. Botanical extract did not affect VN, NL and ALA in both trials. Cucumber that received T. diversifolia spray had significantly higher NFP, YPH of 21.69%, 6.85% and 45.24%, 11.89% in FP and RP, respectively than control which had least observations. In the RP, use of BE significantly reduced IPD than no-spray. A. indica, T. diversifolia and J. gossypifolia had the same effect on IPD of cucumber. A. indica significantly reduced leaf damage by 24.73% in FP and 12.78% RP while no-spray had the highest leaf damage in both trials. FF, TSS, vitamin A and C were not significantly affected by PM and BE in both trials. In conclusion, application of PM at 10 t/ha and T. diversifolia extract at 10% w/v and 625 L/ha are recommended for optimum growth, yield, insect pests control and good quality in cucumber production.