The Effect of Planting Time on Phytophthora Blight Disease Incidence and Severity on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in Nsukka, Derived Savanna, Agro Ecology, South Eastern Nigeria

Ugwuoke Kelvin I,Patience Ukamaka Ishieze

doi:10.4172/2157-7471.1000318

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to study the disease incidence and severity of six cucumber lines at different time of planting (April, 12th; May, 12th; June, 12th, July, 12th and September, 12th), Six varieties of cucumber (Marketter, Poinsett 76 Netherlands, Poinsett 76 Holland, Poinsett France, Poinsett Holland and super marketter) during 2013 farming season. It was observed from the results that the planting time of April had the lowest disease incidence (3.48%) and severity on leaves (1.20) and fruits (1.06), followed by September with lower disease incidence (3.60%), disease severity on leaves (1.22) and fruits (1.17) while July had the highest disease incidence (6.27%) and disease severity on leaves(1.56) and fruits (1.74). The yields during the April and September plantings were significantly (p<0.05) higher than other months. April and September had 481.60 and 483.60 tonnes per hectare respectively while July had 19.10 tonnes per hectare. The cucumber lines also showed. significant (p<0.05) response to disease incidence and severity with the Supermarketer having the lowest disease incidence (4.15%) and severity on leaves (1.39) and fruits (1.17) and Poinsette Holland had the highest disease incidence (5.15%) and Poinsette 76 Holland had the highest severity both on leaves and fruits (1.45 and 1.35). The supermarketer gave the highest yield of 221.10 tonnes per hectare. From the observations farmers in derived savanna agro ecology can plant during the month of April and September for maximum yield and less usage of pesticides. Super marketer variety remains the best variety in this study.

Highlights

IntroductionCucumber is a major vegetable crop worldwide and develops rapidly, with a shorter time from planting to harvest than for most crops [1]
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family
J Plant Pathol Microbiol 6: 318. doi:10.4172/2157-7471.1000318. This experiment evaluated the effect of planting time on disease incidence, severity and pod yield on the six cucumber lines

Summary

Introduction

Cucumber is a major vegetable crop worldwide and develops rapidly, with a shorter time from planting to harvest than for most crops [1] It is a monoecious annual climber or creeper [2] that has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and is still widely cultivated today. Cucumber is less nutritious than most fruits, it is still a very good source of vitamins A, C, K, B6, potassium and it provides dietary fibres, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese. It contains ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, both of which help to smoothen the skin irritation and reduces swelling. The fruit constitute the dietary system of the populace in the cities as valuable ingredient in vegetable salads and fruit

Methods

Results

Conclusion