ABSTRACT
Four field experiments were conducted inOwerri, Imo State in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons. Number of leaves/plant, number of branches/plant, vinelength, leaf area index(LAI), number of female flowers, number of male flowers, days to 50 % flowering, number of days to first harvest, Number of fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit yield were the evaluated parameters. Experiment one was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Experiments two, three and four were factorial arranged in RCBD replicated three times. Experiment one was the evaluation of five varieties of cucumber (Amata, Ashley, Bende Local, Market More and THAI 999). Experiment two assessed the effect of time of planting on the growth and yield of five cucumber varieties. The planting dates were April, May and June, while the varieties were those used in experiment one. It was laid out in split plot RCBD with planting date as main plot factor and varieties as subplot factor. Experiment three studied the effects of staking and poultry manure (PM) on the performance of cucumber varieties. The staking treatments were non-staking and staking, while the PM rates were 0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha. Experiment four was on the effects of NPK fertilizer and PM on the performance of cucumber varieties. The NPK fertilizer rates were 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg/ha, while the PM rates were 0, 5, and 10 t/ha. The result from experiment one showed that the varieties Amata and THAI 999 performed significantly better both in the growth and yield parameters when compared to Ashley, Bende Local and Market More varieties. Experiment two showed that the months of April and May were most favourable for cucumber cultivation while June was not and thatAmata and THAI 999 varieties consistently had higher yields than the other varieties. Experiment three indicated that staked plants performed better with higher values than the unstakedones with the application of 15 t/ha PM. Experiment four showed that combining NPK at 300 kg/ha and PM at 10 t/ha yielded better than sole applications. For optimum growth and yield of cucumber, planting in April and May, staking as well as application of 150 kg/ha NPK plus 10- 15 t/ha PM and planting of Amata or THAI 999 are recommended.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Page i
Declaration
ii
Certification
iii
Dedication
iv
Acknowledgements v
Table
of Contents vi
List
of Tables ix
Abstract xii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 The Cucumber Crop 5
2.2 Flowering 6
2.3 Environmental Factors that Affect
Cucumber 7
2.4 Evaluation of Cucumber Varieties 9
2.5 Time of Planting of Cucumber 11
2.6 Effect of Staking on Crop Production 15
2.6.1 Types of staking 20
2.6.2 Problems of staking 21
2.7 Application of Organic Manure 21
2.8 Application of Inorganic Fertilizers 29
2.9 Application of Organic Manure and NPK Fertilizer
34
CHAPTER 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study Site 40
3.2 Field Preparation and Soil Sampling 40
3.3 Meteorological Information 40
3.4 Experiment 1: Evaluation of Some Varieties of Cucumber 40
3.4.1 Treatment and experimental design 40
3.4.2 Sowing and cultural practices 41
3.4.3 Growth and yield parameters 41
3.4.4 Data collection 41
3.4.5 Statistical analysis 43
3.5 Experiment
2: Effect of Time of Planting on the
Growth
andYield of Cucumber Varieties 43
3.5.1 Treatment and experimental design 43
3.5.2 Sowing and cultural practices 43
3.5.3 Data collection 43
3.5.4 Statistical analysis 44
3.6 Experiment
3: Effects of Staking and POULTRY Manure
on
the Performance of Cucumber 44
3.6.1 Treatment and experimental design 44
3.6.2 Sowing and cultural practices 44
3.6.3 Data collection and analysis 44
3.7 Experiment
4: Effects of NPK 15:15:15 Fertilizer and
Poultry
Manure on the Performance of Cucumber 44
3.7.1 Treatment and experimental design 44
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS
AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Meteorological
Data 46
4.2 Soil
Composition 46
4.3 Nutrient Composition of the Poultry
Manure 46
4.4 Experiment 1: Evaluation of some Cucumber
Varieties in 2015
and 2016 Cropping
Seasons 46
4.4.1 Vegetative
growth of cucumber varieties 46
4.4.2 Yield
and yield components 57
4.4.3 Discussion
61
4.4.3.1 Growth
61
4.4.3.2 Yield
and yield component 62
4.5 Experiment 2: Effects of Time of Planting
on the Growth and Yield
of some Cucumber
Varieties in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 64
4.5.1
Vegetable growth 64
4.5.2 Yield
and yield components 78
4.5.3 Discussion 81
4.5.3.1 Growth 81
4.5.3.2 Effect of interaction on growth 83
4.5.3.3 Effect
of variety and time of planting on yield 83
4.5.3.4 Effect
of interaction on yield 85
4.6 Experiment 3: Effects of staking and
Poultry Manure on the Growth and
Yield Performance of
Cucumber in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 86
4.6.1 Vegetative growth of cucumber 86
4.6.2 Yield
and yield components 93
4.6.3 Discussion
98
4.6.3.1 Growth 98
4.6.3.2 Effect of staking and poultry manure on the
yield and yield
components of
cucumber 99
4.6.3.3 Interaction
effect 100
4.7 Experiment 4: Effects of NPK Fertilizer and
Poultry Manure on the
Growthand Yield of
Cucumber in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 101
4.7.1 Vegetative
growth of cucumber 101
4.7.2 Yield
and yield components 108
4.7.3 Discussion
113
4.7.3.1 Effect
of NPK fertilizer 113
4.7.3.2 Effect
of poultry manure 115
4.7.3.3 Interaction
116
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
and Recommendation 118
References 119
LIST OF TABLES
4.1 Meteorological
Data of the Experimental Site in 2015
and 2016 Cropping Seasons 47
4.2 Soil
Physical and Chemical Properties of the Experimental Site in Owerri, Imo State in 2015 and 2016 48
4.3 Nutrient
Composition of the Poultry Manure Used in 2015
and 2016 Cropping Seasons 49
4.4 Evaluation
of Cucumber Varieties on Number of Leaves per Plant at 4, 6 And
8 WAP in 2015 snd 2016 Cropping Seasons 50
4.5 Evaluation
of Cucumber Varieties on Number of Branches per Plant at 4, 6 and 8 WAP in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 52
4.6 Evaluation
of Cucumber Varieties on Vine Length (Cm) per Plant at 4, 6 and 8 WAP in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 53
4.7 Evaluation
of Cucumber Varieties on Leaf Area Index per Plant at 4, 6 and
8 WAP in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 54
4.8 Evaluation
of Cucumber Varieties on Number of Female Flowers at 4 and 6 WAP in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 55
4.9 Evaluation
of Cucumber Varieties on Number of Male Flowers at 4 and 6 WAP in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 56
4.10 Evaluation
of Cucumber Varieties on Days to 50% Flowering in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 58
4.11 Evaluation
of Cucumber Varieties on Days to First Harvest in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 59
4.12 Evaluation of Cucumber Varieties
on Yield Parameters in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 60
4.13 Effect
of Time of Planting on Number of Leaves of Cucumber Varieties at 4, 6 and 8 Weeks after Planting in 2015 and
2016 Cropping Seasons 65
4.14 Effect
of Time of Planting on Number of Branches of Cucumber Varieties at 4, 6 and 8 Weeks after Planting in 2015 and
2016 Cropping Seasons 67
4.15 Effect
of Time of Planting on Vine Length (cm) of Cucumber Varieties at4, 6 and 8 Weeks after Planting in 2015 and
2016 Cropping Seasons 69
4.16 Effect
of Time of Planting on Leaf Area Index of Cucumber Varieties at 4, 6 and 8 Weeks after Planting in 2015 and
2016 Cropping Seasons 70
4.17 Effect
of Time of Planting on Number of Female Flowers of Cucumber
Varieties in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 72
4.18 Effect
of Time of Planting on Number of Male Flowers of Cucumber
Varieties in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 74
4.19 Effect
of Time of Planting on Days to 50% Flowering of Cucumber
Varieties in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 76
4.20 Effect
of Time of Planting on Number of Days to First Harvest of
Cucumber Varieties in 2015and 2016 Cropping
Seasons 77
4.21 Effect
of Time of Planting on Yield and Yield Components of Cucumber
Varieties in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 79
4.22 Effects
of Staking and Poultry Manure on Number of Leaves of
Cucumber Varieties at 4, 6 And 8 Weeks after
Planting in 2015
and 2016 Cropping Season 87
4.23 Effects
of Staking and Poultry Manure on Number of Branches of
Cucumber Varieties at 4, 6 and 8 Weeks after
Planting in 2015
and 2016 Cropping Seasons 89
4.24 Effects
of Staking and Poultry Manure on Vine Length (Cm) of Cucumber
Varieties at 4, 6 And 8 Weeks after Planting
in 2015
and 2016 Cropping Seasons 90
4.25 Effects
of Staking and Poultry Manure on Leaf Area Index of Cucumber
Varieties at 4, 6 And 8 Weeks after Planting
in 2015
and 2016 Cropping Seasons 91
4.26 Effects
of Staking and Poultry Manure on Number of Female Flowers
at 4 and 6 Weeks after Planting in 2015 and
2016 Cropping Seasons 92
4.27 Effect
of Staking and Poultry Manure on Number of Male Flowers
4 And
6 Weeks after Planting In 2015 And 2016 Cropping Seasons 94
4.28 Effectsof
Staking and Poultry Manure on Days to 50% Flowering
of Cucumber Varieties in 2015 and 2016
Cropping Seasons 95
4.29 Effectsof
Staking and Poultry Manure on Days to First Harvest
of Cucumber Varieties in 2015 and 2016
Cropping Seasons 96
4.30 Effects
of Staking and Poultry Manure On Yield Components
of Cucumber in 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 97
4.31 Effects
of NPK and Poultry Manure on Number of Leaves of Cucumber
Varieties at 4, 6 And 8 Weeks after Planting
In 2015
and 2016 Cropping Season 102
4.32 Effects
of NPK and Poultry Manure on Number of Branches of
CucumberVarieties at 4,6 and 8 Weeks After
Planting in 2015
and 2016 Cropping Season 103
4.33 Effects
of NPK and Poultry Manure on Vine Length of Cucumber
Varieties at 4, 6 And 8 Weeks after Planting
in 2015 and 2016
Cropping Seasons 105
4.34 Effects
of NPK and Poultry Manure on Leaf Area Index of Cucumber
Varieties at 4, 6 And 8 Weeks after Planting
in 2015
and 2016 Cropping Seasons 106
4.35 Effects
of NPK and Poultry Manure on Number of Female Flowers of
Cucumber Varieties in 2015 and 2016 Cropping
Seasons 107
4.36 Effects
of NPK and Poultry Manure on Number of Male Flowers of
Cucumber Varieties in 2015 and 2016 Cropping
Seasons 109
4.37 Effects of NPK and Poultry Manure on Days to 50% Flowering ofCucumber Varietiesin 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 110
4.38 Effect of NPK and Poultry Manure on Number of Days to First Harvest of Cucumber Varietiesin 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 111
4.39 Effects of NPK and Poultry Manure on Yield and Yield Components of Cucumber Varietiesfor 2015 and 2016 Cropping Seasons 112
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Cucumber (Cucumis
sativus L.) is a major vegetable crop eaten by most farmers in the tropics.
It is one of the most popular members of the cucurbitaceae (vine crop) family
which comprised of 118 genera and 825 species and the fourth most important
vegetable crop after tomatoe, cabbage and onion (Eifediyi and Remison, 2010).
Members of this family are spread mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions
of the world (Wang et al., 2007). It
is believed to be indigenous to an area in India and became popular throughout
the Egyptian and the Greek-Roman Empire (Renner et al., 2007).
There are three main varieties of cucumber
such as slicing, plickling and burpless cucumber. The slicing types are those
eaten fresh after peeling and slicing, while the plickling types are those
preserved in vinegar or brine (salt) or spices before they are served (Kelly et al., 2000). Plickling process removes
or degrades much of the nutrient content, especially Vitamin C. The variation
in performance of cucumber cultivars has been widely documented by many
scholars (Odeleye and Odeleye, 2001) which could be as a result of
environmental factors and genetic composition.
Production of cucumber in Nigeria is mostly
done in the Northern part of the country.
However, cultivation of cucumber in the South-eastern Nigeria has been
found to be achieved under moderate rainfall (Enujeke, 2013). The crop is now been cultivated in some parts
of South-eastern Nigeria. Farmers in South-eastern Nigeria are often been
discouraged from embarking on commercial cucumber production due to high
incidence of pests and diseases due to heavy rainfall, extreme temperature and
high humid conditions which do not favour cucumber production. Other factors
that cause low yield in cucumber in the zone are non-accessibility of
varieties, lack of appropriate cultural practices (Ekwu et al., 2007) and non-accessibility of varieties well suited specifics
agro-climatic conditions.
Apart from eating cucumber raw or in combinations,
young or ripe cucumber fruits are used as cooked vegetables or made into
chutney (Grubben and Denton, 2004). It also stimulates appetite because of its appealing
smell and distinctive flavor (Eifediyi and Remison 2010). Due to its content of potassium (50-80 mg/100
g), cucumber can highly be useful for both high and low blood pressure (Kashif et al., 2008). Cucumber serves as insect
killer due to steroid stuffing (Wang et
al., 2007). Its skin contains chlorophyll and silica, two beneficial
elements that are lost when the vegetable is peeled (Okonmah, 2011). The ascorbic
and caffeic acid contained in cucumber help to race skin irritation and swollen
(Okonmah, 2011)
For every 100 g of edible portion of cucumber
fruit, the following nutrient values are obtainable; water 95 g, calories 15 g,
proteins 8.8 g, fat 0.1 g, carbohydrate 3 g, fiber 0.8 g. calcium 13 g,
phosphorus 30 mg, iron 0.5 mg, thiamine 0.02 mg, riboflavin 0.01 mg, niacin 0.3
mg, ascorbic acid 14 mg and potassium 65mg (Gembiz, 2010). According to WHO
(2005), cucumber is used in the fitness world by body builders and people
trying to cut fat because of its diuretic properties. The fruit also serves as
remedy in the treatment of constipation, jaundice and indigestion (Chadha,
2006).
Although, the crop serves as a major source
of vitamins, its productivity is still low owing to several factors, with
nutrient and water observed to be the limiting factors (Ayotamuno, et al., 2007). Cucumber is a warm season
crop that develops rapidly with a shorter time from planting to harvest than
for most crops (Wehner and Maynard, 2003). It requires high amount of soil
nutrients from seedling stage to maturity and highly sensitive to excessive
water or water logged environment and adequate soil tillage for easy fragile
root penetration is required prior to sowing (Nweke et al., 2014).
Although cucumber is grown throughout the
world, evaluations of different cultivars have been conducted in various
countries. Sharma et al., (2000)
studied the performance of various cucumber cultivars under field and green
house conditions. The yield under field conditions was higher than greenhouse
condition and cultivars Poinsett – 76 and k – 75 had higher yields than other
cultivars, which could be attributed to greater fruit length, weight and yield
per plant.
Many agronomic methods have been adopted to
increase the yield of cucumber including staking and other cultural practices,
although adequate research has not been conducted to find out the definite
types of staking to support the best yield of cucumber (Okonmah, 2011).
Fertilizers are substances which when added
to the soil supply one or more plant nutrients. The use of organic manures has
been recommended for long-term cropping in the tropics as slow mineralization
of these manures promotes crop yield for a long period of time (Gambo et al., 2008). Chemical fertilizers are
used in modern agriculture to correct known plant nutrient deficiencies; to
provide high levels of nutrition, which aid plants in withstanding stress
conditions; to maintain optimum soil fertility conditions; and to improve crop
quality. 9Based on the evaluation of soil quality indicators, Dutta et al. (2003) reported that the use of organic
fertilizers together with chemical fertilizers, compared to the addition of
organic fertilizer alone had a higher positive effect on microbial biomass and
soil health. Furthermore, Belay et al. (2004); Eifediyi and Remison (2010) in their
various studies on nutrient requirements of cucumber reported that cucumber
responds positively to organic, inorganic or combined nutrient applications for
optimum growth and productivity. Therefore integrating both nutrient sources
can help boost the production of cucumber and
meet up with the quantity demanded by the society as cucumber is a short
duration crop that requires fast release of nutrients in the field, which
conventional fertilizer can do better than organic manure (Marjan, 2005).
Despite all economic potentials of the crop, the
full production potentials in Southeastern region of Nigeria has not been
realized. There was no cultivation of
cucumber in the south east until about a decade ago. Hitherto, cucumber sold in
the area were brought in from the North. No research whatsoever has been done
on its growth in the area and hence no clear cut agronomic package is
available.
Yield obtained by farmers in the region is
often very low, especially in intensive cropping, which has led to several
nutrients becoming deficient (Mahamod et
al., 1999). It is necessary to increase the production of the crop to
supplement the high intake of carbohydrate in Nigeria, especially the Eastern
parts of Nigeria where it is scarce and there is over dependence on major
suppliers from the North, resulting in relative higher price because of transportation
cost and spoilage production of the fruits. Hence the overall aim of this study
was the agronomic evaluation of cucumber in acid sand. The specific objectives
were;
i. to evaluate some varieties of cucumber;
ii. to determine the effect of time of planting
on the growth and yield of cucumber varieties;
iii. to determine the effects of staking and
poultry manure on the performance of cucumber;
iv. to determine the effects of N.P.K fertilizer
and poultry manure on the performance of cucumber.
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