Effect of dosage and spray frequency of henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) on Alternaria leaf spot disease of cucumber melon (Cucumis sativus L.) in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Field trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019 cropping season at Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of  Maiduguri to assess the effect of dosage and spray frequency of botanical leaf extracts in the management of Alternaria leaf spot disease  of cucumber melon. The experimental plots were laid in a strip plot design replicated three times. Different dosages (50, 75 and  100 g/L) were assigned as the vertical factor while spray frequency (no spray, spray once, twice, thrice, and four times) as the horizontal  factor. Results showed that spray frequency at spray three or four times and dosage at 100g/L significantly (P<0.05) affected the disease  incidence and severity of the leaf spot disease. Yield increase was also observed under the same condition. Spraying of cucumber melon  three or four times is very crucial in the reduction of the leaf spot disease.