ABSTRACT

An experiment on the Agronomic attributes of cucumber varieties (Cucumis sativus L.) as affected by time of poultry manure application in Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria, was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, during 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. The experiment was a 2x5 factorial arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Factor A comprised the time of application including: Control, (0 application), one week after planting (1WAP), one week before planting (1WBP); two weeks after planting (2WAP) and two weeks before planting (2WBP). Factor B comprised the evaluated cucumber varieties of THIA999 and POINSETT. Growth parameters were: number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant, vine girth per plant, vine length per plant, number of vines per plant, total dry weight, dry matter content and leaf area index, while yield parameters were: number of fresh fruit per plant, number of fresh fruit per hectare, weight of fresh fruits per plant, length of fresh fruits per plant, girth of fresh fruit per plant, crop growth rate, harvest index and fruit yield. Growth parameters were measured 4,8 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP), while the yield were measured at harvesting. The result revealed that most growth and yield parameters were significantly (p<0.05) affected by variety and time of application, while 2WBP and THAI999 variety performed better than control and POINSETT variety respectively. These results further suggest that THIA999 variety was more responsive and adaptive to the location, while 2WBP provided ample time for adequate mineralization of the organic fertilizer for eventual release of nutrients for absorption by the crop. The correlation both 2019 and 2020 shows that fruit yield per ha was significant and positively correlated with number of fruits per ha (r=0.799**), weight of fresh fruits per plant (r=1.000**), length of fresh fruits per plant (r=0.498**), girth of fresh fruits per plant (r=0.541**), vine length at per plant 8WAP (r=0.505**), Number of leaves per plant at 8 WAP (r=0.833**), Number of vine per plant at 8 WAP (r=0.528**), Vine girth at 8 WAP (r=0.568**), total fresh weight at 8 WAP (r=0.694**), crop growth rate (r=0.699**) and harvest index (r=0.568**). Consequently, 2WBP as well as THAI999 variety are hereby recommended for cucumber cultivation in Umudike, Southeastern, Nigeria.