ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of poultry manure and staking on the growth and yield of cucumber at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Teaching and Research Farm during the 2019 cropping season. The experiment was a 4 x 2 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Four rates of poultry manure (0t/ha, 5t/ha, 10t/ha and 15t/ha) and two staking types (staking and no staking) were used. The parameters assessed were vine length (cm), leaf area index (cm2), number of fruits per plant, fruit weight (kg) per plant and fruit yield (t/ha). The data collected were analyzed using Genstat software release package and separation of treatment means for significant effect was done using least significant difference. The results of the experiment showed that the application of poultry manure at the rate of 10t/ha gave the highest number of fruits per plant, and fruit yield of 17.38t/ha. Similarly, staked cucumber plants produced significantly vine length, number of fruits per plant and higher fruit yield than unstaked plants. It was therefore recommended that farmers should apply 10t/ha poultry manure and, stake cucumber plants for optimum growth and yield of cucumber in Umudike, Southeastern Nigeria.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Dedication ii
Certification iii
Acknowledgment iv
Table of
content v
List of
tables vi
Abstract vii
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Chapter 2: Literature review 5
2.1 Origin and distribution of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) 5
2.2 Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and its importance 5
2.3 Botanical taxonomy of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) 8
2.4 Botany of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) 8
2.5 Production/Agronomy 11
2.5.1 Soil and climatic requirements of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) 11
2.5.2 Field establishment and management 12
2.5.3 Pest and disease management 13
2.5.4 Irrigation 14
2.6 Flowering habits in cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) 14
2.7 Poultry manure and its importance 17
2.8 Staking and its importance 20
Chapter 3: Materials and Methods 22
3.1 Experimental site 22
3.2 Source of planting material 22
3.3 Experimental design and treatment 22
3.4 Cultural practices 23
3.4.1 Field preparation 23
3.4.2 Source of poultry manure collection 23
3.4.3 Planning and field maintenance 24
3.5 Records of agronomic measurements 24
3.5.1 Number of leaves/plant 24
3.5.2 Vine length (cm)/plant 24
3.5.3 Leaf area (cm2)/plant 25
3.5.4 Leaf area index 25
3.5.5 Number of fruits/plant 25
3.5.6 Fruit weight (kg) per plant 25
3.5.7 Fruit yield (t/ha) 26
3.6 Statistical analysis 26
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion 27
4.1 Physico-chemical properties of the soil
of the experimental site 27
4.2 Meteorological data of the study area in
2019 29
4.3 Vine length (cm)/plant 31
4.4 Leaf area index 33
4.5 Number of fruits per plant 35
4.6 Fruit weight (kg) 37
4.7 Fruit yield (t/ha) of cucumber 39
4.8 Discussion 41
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation 44
5.1 Conclusion 44
5.2 Recommendations 45
References
LIST OF TABLES
2.1 The nutritional value of cucumber fruit
per 100g of edible cucumber 7
4.1 Physico-chemical properties of the soil
of the experimental site in 2019 28
4.2 Meterological data of the study area in
2019 30
4.3 Effect of different levels of poultry
manure and staking on
vine length (cm)/plant of cucumber
at different weeks after planting in 2019
32
4.4 Effect of different levels of poultry
manure and staking on leaf area index of
cucumber
at different weeks after planting in 2019 34
4.5 Effect of different levels of poultry
manure and staking on number of
fruits/plant
of cucumber in 2019 36
4.6 Effect of different levels of poultry
manure and staking on fruit weight (kg)
of
cucumber in 2019 38
4.7 Effect of different levels of poultry
manure and staking on fruit yield (t/ha) of
cucumber
40
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) belongs to the cucurbitaceae family and is
thought to be one of the oldest vegetables that has been cultivated by man for
over 3000 years (Adetula and Denton, 2003; Okonmah, 2011). It is believed to
have originated from India. From India the crop was spread to different parts
of the world, but precisely in 1940’s, cucumber was introduced into West Africa
by the Europeans (Sinnadurai, 1992). Today, cucumber is cultivated in many
parts of West Africa including Nigeria.
Cucumber is cultivated in commercial
quantity in various parts of Nigeria and is also largely consumed in various
parts of the country and relished across various ethnic groups. Nutritionally,
cucumber is a rich source of vitamins and minerals (Eifediyi and Remison,
2009). Cucumber forms an important ingredient in salads and can also be sliced
into stew in tropical regions. Fruits are also eaten alone or served with
groundnut or other vegetables. Due to the low-calorie content of cucumber, its
regular consumption helps in the burning of excess fat in the body thereby
keeping man in shape and healthy too. Medicinally, cucumber is well known for
its diuretic effect and thus can serve as an active drug for secreting and promoting
flow of urine. Due to its high content of potassium (50-80mg/100 g), cucumber
can be very useful to those with either high or low blood pressure (Kashif et al., 2008). Additionally, the juice
of cucumber is good for the treatment of gastric, hyperacidity and duodenial
ulcers (Ernestina, 2001). Young and unripe cucumber fruits are usually used as
cooked vegetable made into Chutney (Gruben and Denton, 2004). Cucumber is also
good for those who suffer constipation. Interestingly, cucumbers can be processed
into beauty products like facial cleanser, facial scrub, among others. They can
also be processed into fresh products like pickles, kimchi or as beverages like
juice (Duke, 1997). Cucumber production is a very lucrative business since it
reaches maturity stage rapidly.
Cucumber is a climbing annual herb
with an extensive, shallow root system. The stems are four –angled and hairy
with un-branched tendrils. The leaves are dark green in colour and are
alternately and oppositely positioned to the tendrils while, the flowers are
borne in the axile of leaves and are monoecious; with separate male and female
flowers borne on the same plant. Research has shown that the percentage of male
to female flowers varies depending on weather or environmental factors such as
photoperiod, temperature and plant hormones (Yamasaki et al., 2005). Yamasaki et al. (2005) added that the induction
of female flowers is encouraged by short days, low temperatures and enough water;
whereas induction of male flowers is encouraged by long days, high temperatures
and insufficient water. The flower of cucumber has yellow petals with short
stalk. The pendulous fruits are variable in shape and size. The epicarp is pale
green and many white seeds are produced by each fruit.
Generally, fertile soils are used for
the production of cucumber as infertile soils result in lower quality of fruits
which are not often accepted by consumers (Eifediyi and Remison, 2010).
Cucumber can adapt to a wide variety of soil types which have good drainage and
slight acidity. Sandy loams with a pH of 5.5-6.7 are suitable for early
maturing crops like cucumber. In addition, cucumber grows best under conditions
of high temperature, with an optimum temperature of between 20-25oC,
low humidity, moderate light intensity, and good soil structure with an
uninterrupted supply of water and nutrients (Papadopoulous, 2012).Water
requirement is high, but high humidity encourages the development of leaf
disease and may affect flower production.
Sustainable production of cucumber
can be enhanced through poultry manure application and staking. Poultry manure
is an excellent organic fertilizer as it contains about 3.5% nitrogen, 1.5-3.5%
phosphorus, 1.5-3.0% potassium and many micronutrients (Mohammed et al., 2010). Unlike inorganic mineral,
it adds organic matter to soil, which improves soil structure, nutrient
retention, aeration, soil moisture holding capacity and water infiltration
(Deksissa et al., 2008). Adeniyam and Ojeniyi (2003)
also reported that organic manure influences different soil properties. Poultry manure more readily supplies
phosphorus to plants than other organic manure sources (Garg and Bahla, 2008)
and contains essential nutrient elements associated with high photosynthetic
activities and thus promotes root and vegetable growth (John et al., 2004).
Maaz et al. (2017) observed that the application
of poultry manure at 20t/ha to Green cultivar of cucumber induced high growth
and yield. Based
on the findings of the study, farmers in the study area were advised to apply
20t/ha of poultry manure for increased growth and yield of cucumber. Similarly,
Enujeke (2013) noted that a variety of cucumber (market more) that received the
highest rate of poultry manure (20t/ha) was superior with respect to vine
length, number of leaves, fruit length and fruit weight at 4, 6 and 8 weeks
after planting for two years. Based on the findings of the study, farmers in
the study area were advised to apply 20t/ha of poultry manure for increased
growth and yield of cucumber.
Poultry manure also increased
the leaf nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus content in fluted pumpkin (Awodun,
2007).
Research has also shown that staking enhances
cucumber production. Staking exposes more leaves for photosynthetic process in
cucumber to provide more assimilates for the developing fruits. Furthermore, staking
ensures that the cucumber canopy can be more efficient in the absorption of
sunlight and fungicide can be applied more effectively. Higher fruit yield was
observed on trellis treatment than for non-trellis treatment (Hardy and Rowell,
2002; Hirata and Tilato, 2002). Nelson
(2005) and Paulo et al. (2003) also reported
increase in fruit yield on the staked treatment than the un-staked treatment. Amina
et al. (2012) recommended staking of
tomatoes and other fruit crops for higher yield and good quality fruits with
higher market value while, Akoroda et al.
(1989) suggested staking of crops to facilitate harvesting of vegetables and
pods and exposure of leaves for effective light reception.
It has been observed in Umudike that
farmers grow cucumber staked or unstaked, with vines of unstaked plants
trailing on the ground and leading to the production of fruits with yellow
bellies, overcrowding of vines and subsequent attack by mold. While crops like
yam is usually staked, cucumber is usually grown without staking.
The objective of this study was to
determine the effect of different levels of poultry manure and staking on the
growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis
sativus L.) in Umudike, Southeastern, Nigeria.
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