Growth and Yield Responses of Cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) to Different Nitrogen Levels of Goat Manure in the Humid Ultisols Environment

Abstract

A field trial was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria between May and July in both 2015 and 2016 to evaluate growth and yield responses of cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) to different nitrogen levels of goat manure. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design involving five treatments and replicated three times. The treatments were cured goat manure applied at levels of 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg N ha-1. Growth parameters were collected on vine length (cm), vine girth (cm), number of branches, number of leaves and leaf area index (LAI). Yield parameters assessed were fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm), number of fruits per plant and fruit yield (t ha-1). Goat manure application significantly (P < 0.05) influenced growth parameters positively, which led to the enhancement of the fruit yield. Goat manure application levels of 200 (20.85 t ha-1), 300 (20.85 t ha-1) and 400 (26.21 t ha-1) kg N ha-1 had similar (P > 0.05) fruit yield, but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of 0 (12.34 t ha-1) and 10 (16.96 t ha-1) kg N ha-1. It thus recommended that goat manure at 20 kg N ha-1 is more appropriate for cucumber production in the humid ultisols environment.