Effect of Varying Levels of Poultry Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber in Anyigba, Kogi State

Abstract

The growth and yield of cucumber in response to the effect of poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10) was evaluated at the Teaching and Research farm of Kogi State University Anyigba, Nigeria during the 2021 raining season. Treatment consisted of poultry manure which was applied at 0, 7.5 and 15t/ha and inorganic fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10), applied at the rate of 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6t/ha respectively. The experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates following all agronomic practices as recommended. Combined rates of poultry manure at 15t/ha and 0.6t/ha of fertilizer were found to significantly increased (P≤0.05) growth characters such as number of leaves, vine length at 4, 6 and 8WAS. Longest vines of 602.75cm and 213.75leaves was obtained with combined application of 15t/ha PM + 0.6t/ha NPK fertilizer at 8WAS respectively. Similarly, Fruit length, Number of fruits, Fruit weight/plant, Fruit yield/ha were significantly influenced (P≤0.05) by the combined application of 15t/ha PM + 0.4t/ha NPK, while the control plots consistently gave the least yield across sampling periods.