Influence of Different Fertilizer Types on the Growth and Yield of Two Varieties Cucumber (Cucumis melo)

The growth, yield and nutritional quality of Poinsett and Marketmore varieties of cucumber in response to compost and NPK fertilizer application were evaluated at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. The six fertilizer combinations are T1 (0 kg N), T2 (100% NPK, 600 kg NPK 15:15:15), T3 (100% Tithonia compost (TC), 5 tons/ha), T4 (75% NPK + 25% TC), T5 (50% NPK + 50% TC) and T6 (25% NPK+ 75% TC). The treatments were arranged as 6 × 2 factorial scheme in Randomised Complete Block Design with three replicates. Data were collected on growth parameters, fruit yield, calcium content and iron content. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and difference among treatments means was computed using Least Significant Difference at 0.05 probability level. The results revealed that at the point of maximum growth Poinsett cucumber variety produced significant longer vine (173.78cm); higher number of leaves (23.56) and more robust stem girth (3.01 cm) than the other variety. At 8 weeks after sowing (WAS) the longest vine length (216.67cm) and number of leaves (29.33) were obtained from cucumber plants treated with 5 tons/ha. Varietal effect was not significant (p≤0.05) on cucumber fruit yield and firmness. The vine length, fruit girth, stem girth, number of leaves were significantly influenced by the application of 5 tons/ha. At 8 WAS, the longest vine 216.67cm and highest number of leaves (27.33) were recorded from 5 tons/ha, while the widest stem girth (2.10cm) was gotten from 50% NPK + 50% TC treated cucumber. Fruit yield was significantly improved by the application of different combination of fertilizer. Plant that received fertilizer had significant better fruit yield compared with non-fertilized one. However, the use of 50% NPK + 50% TC gave the highest fruit yield. The study concluded that combine application of 300 kg NPK + 2.5 ton/ha TC would be sufficient for production of the two varieties tried in this study. Keywords: Cucumber; farmyard manure; inorganic fertilizer; growth; yield. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-03 Publication date:July 31st 201