Effects of Different Levels of Poultry Manure and Rice Straw Ash on Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus .L)

Abstract

Poultry Manure and rice straw ash were used in an experiment whose  aim was to determine their effect on the growth and yield of cucumber. The research was conducted during the 2021 dry season beside the insect net house of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture Bayero University Kano, (11^o 58N,8^o 25E and 475m above sea level) in Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria) The treatments consisted of one variety of cucumber (LIBERO F1) and four levels of poultry manure (0, 3, 6, 9 tons ha^-1) and rice straw ash (0, 3, 6, 9 tons ha^-1). The experiments were  laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were applied before sowing during land preparation. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, number of fruits, fruit length, fruits weight per plant and fruit yield. The data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Genstat software (2014) at 5% level of probability. The results showed that all the growth and yield parameters assessed significantly increased with increase in the application of  both poultry manure and rice straw ash compared to the control in both cases. Application of poultry manure at 9 tons ha^-1 is recommended for use in the study area for better growth and yield of cucumber. Similarly, where rice straw ash is to be used, application of 9 tons ha^-1 is recommended for enhanced yield of cucumber.