Effects of mulch and staking on the yield and postharvest quality of cucumber

Abstract

This research was carried out at the Vegetable Research Farm, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Idi- Ishin, Ibadan, Oyo  State, Nigeria to determine the effects of different mulch materials and staking on the yield and post-harvest quality of Cucumber  (Cucumis sativus L.). The experimental design was 2x4 factorial, laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with eight treatments  replicated 3 times: Staked Cucumber with Black Polypropylene Mulch, Staked Cucumber with White Polypropylene Mulch Staked  Cucumber With organic Mulch (Dried plant materials), Staked Cucumber without mulch, Unstaked Cucumber with Black Polypropylene  Mulch, Unstaked Cucumber With white Polypropylene Mulch, Unstaked Cucumber with Organic Mulch (Dried plant materials), Unstaked  Cucumber without mulch. Data on vine length, number of leaves, leaf length and fruit yield were collected. The fruit quality parameters  were total soluble solids, phenolic acid, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and the determination of scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) at 1, 5, 10 and 15 days in storage. Data was subjected to analysis of variance at (P<0.05) while means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The staked cucumber plants mulched with black polythene mulches had the highest growth  rate and resulted in subsequently higher yield (21.01t/ha) of cucumber fruit compared to other mulch materials. There were  significant (P>0.05) differences in yield of staked cucumber with white Polypropylene mulch (15.35t/ha) and unstaked Cucumber with  black Polypropylene mulch (14.78t/ha). The unstaked Cucumber planted without mulch had the lowest yield (4.93 t/ha). Result from this  research showed that staked cucumber planted on white Polypropylene mulch produce fruit with the highest vitamin C, total soluble   solids, phenolic acid and DPPH.