Effect of different rates of poultry manure on growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativum) in Iwollo, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Information on optimum rates of poultry manure is very important in the correction of soil nutrient deficiencies for crop production. A study was carried in the field to establish optimum rates of poultry manure for cucumber (Cucumis sativum) production. The investigation took place at the Teaching and Research Farm of Department of Agricultural Technology, Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, southeastern Nigeria. The treatments were; four levels of poultry manure (10, 20, 30, 40 t ha^-1) and no poultry manure (control), laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The parameters measured were; seedling emergence, vine length at 30 and 60 days after planting (DAP), number of leaves per plant at 30 and 60 DAP, days to 50% flowering, number of fruits plot^-1 and fruit yield. The results indicated that growth, yield and yield components of cucumber increased significantly (p < 0.01) with various rates of poultry manure over control. Seedling emergence was not significantly influenced by application of poultry manure. However, significantly longest vine length at 30 (59.8 cm) and 60 (68.9 cm) days after planting, number of leaves per plant at 30 (253) and 60 (254) days after planting, number of fruits plot^-1 (106) and fruit yield (5.2 tha^-1) were obtained where poultry manure was applied at 40 t ha^-1. Number of days to 50% flowering (30) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in 40 t ha^-1 poultry manure treated plots. The overall response of cucumber crop was significantly higher by the application of poultry manure at 40 t ha^-1 to the soil.

Keywords: Poultry manure, cucumber, poinsett, yields, Iwollo