Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out in 2014 to investigate the effect of different organic manures in combination with NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer on the growth and yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativa L) at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria. Treatments and treatment rates used were as follow: Control (0 t/ha), cow dung (2.5, 5.0 t/ha), pig dung (2.5, 5.0 t/ha), crystallizer (2.5, 5.0 t/ha), NPK 20:10:10 (30, 60 Kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The experimental results show that the growth parameters in terms of vine length and mean numbers of leaves as well as fresh fruit yield were significantly (P<0.05) increased by the treatments. The combination of 2.5 t/ha pig dung + 30 Kg NPK 20:10:10 produce the longest vine length (255.23 cm) at 8 WAP, the highest mean numbers of leaves (44.67) was obtained from the combination of 2.5 t/ha crystallizer + 30 Kg/ha NPK 20:`10:10. The highest fresh fruit yield (7.05 t/ha) was obtained from the combination of 2.5 t/ha cow dung + 30 Kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 which is 222% yield increase over the control (2.5 t/ha). The result also shows improvement in a few soil nutrient elements after harvest. The organic matter, Available P and Calcium content of the soil were moderately improved. This study advocates complimentary use of organic manures with mineral fertilizers and recommends application of 2.5 t/ha of cow dung + 30 kg/ha NPK 20:10:10 for the production of cucumber in the study area. |
