GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.) AS INFLUENCED BY MULCHING MATERIALS AND FERTILIZER TYPES
Authors: Ede, A.E.; Ezeaku, I.E.; Uloh, E.V. and Odo S.E.
Ede, A.E.: Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, PMB 2001, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Ezeaku, I.E.: Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, PMB 2001, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Uloh, E.V.: Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, PMB 2001, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Odo S.E.: Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, PMB 2001, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the interactive effects of different mulching materials and fertilizer types on the growth and yield performance of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Eha-Amufu, Southeast Nigeria. A 3 × 3 factorial experiments arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was conducted during the 2024 cropping season. Treatments comprised three mulching materials (black polythene, sawdust, and no mulch) and three fertilizer regimes (control, poultry manure at 20 t/ha, and NPK 20-10-10 at 300 kg/ha), replicated three times. Growth parameters measured included vine length, number of leaves, and number of branches, while yield traits such as fruit length, diameter, and weight were also assessed. Results revealed that black polythene mulch significantly enhanced vine length and leaf number, especially when combined with NPK fertilizer, indicating a synergistic effect. Poultry manure outperformed other fertilizer treatments in terms of branching and fruit yield, suggesting its suitability for sustainable cucumber production. Although sawdust mulch yielded the highest number of branches, it was less effective for vine elongation. These findings underscore the benefits of integrated nutrient and mulching strategies, with specific combinations offering distinct advantages for either vegetative vigor or yield quality. The study recommends adopting black polythene mulch with NPK for rapid growth and poultry manure with sawdust mulch for improved yield under similar agroecological conditions.
Keywords: Cucumber, mulching, poultry manure, NPK fertilizer, growth and yields