Effect of Sheep Dropping Manure Application Rate and Methods of Propagation on the Growth and Yield Component of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativum) in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted at Crop Production Nursery Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Kogi State University Anyigba. The study area which is Kogi State, to determine the effect of sheep dropping rate and staking on the yield and yield component of cucumber. Staked and unstaked and four treatment levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg per hectare) were evaluated. The study was conducted as a 2x1 factorial laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatment means were separated using least significant difference (LSD0.05). The result generated from the study showed that number of fruits, number of marketable fruits and weight of fruits. Staking had no significant effect on number of fruits, but showed significant effect on number of branches, number of leaves and plant height. The staked treatment constantly performed better with higher values than the non-staked treatment. Result obtained from data analysis shows that Cucumber growth, yields and yield components were enhanced with the incorporation of Poultry droppings across various treatment rates. Hence for maximum production of cucumber staking and optimum sheep dropping should be adopted.