Effect Of Npk Fertilizer Application On The Growth And Yield Of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.)
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Effect Of Npk Fertilizer Application On The Growth And Yield Of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.)
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was carried out in the crop pavilion, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, in the southern Guinea savannah environment, to see how NPK fertiliser treatment affected the growth and production of three cucumber cultivars.
The experiment was constructed as a 3×5 factorial in RCBD, including split-plots and three replicates. The main plots included three cucumber types (Marketer, Marketmore, and Poinsett), while the sub-plots included five levels of NPK fertiliser (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100kgNha-1).
Plant growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, leaf area per plant, number of male, female, and total number of flowers) and yield characteristics (dry matter, fruit length, fruit circumference, number of fruits per plant, and fruit fresh weight) were determined.
Data were analysed using the split-plots model for Analysis of Variance, and significant means were separated using the Least Significant Difference at the 5% probability level. The results showed that the application of NPK fertiliser significantly increased cucumber growth performances, with 100kgNha-1 being the most remarkable rate
while NPK fertiliser did not improve yield features. However, significant variety x fertiliser effects demonstrated that applying 100kgNha-1 was the best for all three types, implying that cucumber cultivars have similar nutrient requirements.
In conclusion, the use of NPK fertiliser is advantageous for cucumber production, and raising the rate of application to the maximum level of 100 kg/ha produced the greatest vegetative outcomes.
Chapter One: Introduction
Background Of The Study
The cucumber most likely originated in India (south of the Himalayas), or possibly Burma, where the plant is highly diverse in both vegetative and fruit characteristics. It has been cultivated for at least three thousand years.
The plant spread fast from India to China, where it was supposedly highly valued by the ancient Greeks and Romans. When cucumbers were not in season, the Romans developed extremely artificial methods to grow them for Emperor Tiberius.
Cucumbers were well accepted by both the nobles and the poorer classes in the Roman Empire. Cucumbers remained popular in Italy for centuries due to their simplicity of production and large range of kinds and tastes. Cucumbers were not only eaten, but also utilised to make a variety of therapeutic cures.
They treated everything from impaired eyesight to scared mice, repaired scorpion bites, and transported trash by ladies who wanted to conceive children.
The most famous example of cucumber infatuation in Ancient Rome occurred during Emperor Tiberius’ short reign (14-16 AD), when he insisted that cucumbers be eaten every day of the year.
During the summer, dedicated gardens were cared exclusively for his crops, and in the winter, cucumbers were grown on moveable bed frames that were moved to be exposed to the sun or lighted by mirror-stones.
The Age of Discovery played a significant role in the spread of cucumbers over the world. In 1494, Christopher Columbus brought cucumbers to Haiti, where they were farmed by Spanish immigrants and spread across the New World.
Cucumbers were brought to Native Americans in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains by European trappers in the sixteenth century. These tribes recognised the potential and nutritional worth of cucumbers and watermelons and soon included them into their crops.
In 2010, global cucumber production was 57.5 million tonnes, with China accounting for the vast majority of production and exports (40.7 million tonnes).
Most of the various cucumber varieties grown today were recognised at least 400 years ago. Present forms range from thick, stubby small fruits three to four inches long to the huge English greenhouse types, which can grow about two feet in length.
Health Benefits of Cucumber
Cucumber has several health benefits, including:
Cucumber contains only 15 grammes of calories per 100 grammes. It does not include any saturated fats or cholesterol. Cucumbers can be consumed on a daily basis to alleviate chronic constipation.
Cucumber peel is high in dietary fibre, which helps to alleviate constipation and indigestion while also preventing stomach-related disorders by removing harmful chemicals from the digestive tract.
It also has therapeutic properties for disorders of the urinary bladder and kidney. Cucumber’s high water content promotes urine, which helps kidney function. Cucumber eating on a regular basis can eventually dissolve kidney stones.
Cucumber or cucumber juice can help with digestive issues such as heartburn, acid reflux, gastritis, and ulcers. It can also relieve constipation. Erepsin is an enzyme that aids in protein digestion.
Cucumber seeds, in addition to their juice, are quite useful. Cucumber seeds are said to be a natural cure for eliminating tapeworms from the intestinal tract.
The seeds also contain anti-inflammatory effects, making them useful for treating swellings of the nose and throat’s mucous membranes.
1.1.2 Skin Benefits of Cucumbers
Cucumber is one of the most commonly used components in hair care and skin care products. The raw fruit is also utilised in several beauty salons for face treatments to minimise wrinkles and puffiness around the eyes. Some of the key skin benefits of cucumber include:
Cucumber’s most significant skin benefit is skin rejuvenation. Cucumber juice facial masks help to tighten the skin.
It contains modest bleaching properties that help reverse skin darkening and restore youthful, shining skin.
If you are concerned about eye puffiness, cucumbers might provide you with immediate relief. Cucumber contains ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, which reduces water retention and oedema around the eyes.
Putting cucumber slices or puree on sunburnt skin provides quick relief. Thus, cucumber is a natural and mild technique to heal sunburn.
The most typical application for cucumber pulp and juice is to improve complexion and revitalise the skin. Mix cucumber juice with a few drops of lemon juice and use as a face mask. This will brighten the complexion and bring a glow to the skin.
1.1.3 Cucumber Benefits for Hair
The most significant advantage of cucumber for hair is its hair strengthening capabilities. Cucumber juice promotes hair growth primarily because it contains silicon, sulphur, salt, phosphorus, and calcium, all of which are essential minerals for hair growth. Drink cucumber juice every day to prevent hair loss.
Cucumber juice can also be used as a hair rinse to create silky, lustrous hair. It conditions hair and makes it easier to handle.
Cucumber has other uses, such as:
Cucumber can also be used to remove tough stains and tarnish from household stainless steel items. It also restores the tools’ lost gloss. Cucumber chemicals are frequently utilised in shoe polishes to increase their shine.
Place cucumber slices in containers around the yard to reduce slugs and pests. The chemical in these veggies produces a fragrance that repels pests and insects.
Cucumbers, on the other hand, do cause some reactions. Some of these include:
Allergies, particularly those affecting the oral cavity, can cause itching and swelling. This can be remedied by heating the dish instead of eating it raw.
Cucumber can also cause gastritis in certain people, primarily owing to a component called cucurbitacin, which causes indigestion. This can be avoided by eating cucumbers that have been bred or have had the chemical eliminated.
Cucumbers contain compounds that can induce poisoning and baldness. This usually occurs when an individual consumes an excessive amount of cucumber.
1.2 Statement of Experimental Problems
Because of the scarcity of arable land in most African countries, the traditional system of restoring soil fertility through shifting cultivation is giving way to continuous cropping on the same land, resulting in gradual depletion of soil fertility and crop yield (Ojeniyi et al., 2008).
The introduction of chemical/inorganic fertilisers has enabled man to increase soil productivity beyond what could be achieved through natural recycling processes. Many research on diverse crops have revealed significant benefits to using inorganic fertilisers (Akinride, 2006).
However, in Nigeria, there was little or no information on how cucumbers responded to soil amendment using organic or inorganic fertiliser. There is hence an urgent need to assess the responsiveness of cucumber types to fertiliser application.
Justification for the study.
Cucurbitaceae is a family that includes cucumber, a popular fruit vegetable around the world. It is one of the largest families, and its ability to adapt to a wide range of environments, from acid to humid tropic, making it a worldwide crop (Bates et al., 1990).
Cucumber is a popular fruit crop that can be eaten fresh or cooked, and it has numerous health benefits. It is a key source of vitamins, but its production is limited due to a variety of problems
with nutrient/water availability being the most limiting factor (Ayatamuno et al. 2007). Cucumber is one of the exotic food items in high demand right now, thanks to rising living standards and an expanding population.
However, the quantity produced does not fulfil consumer demand (Opara et al 2012). Many research on diverse crops have revealed significant benefits to using inorganic fertilisers (Akinride, 2006). It is critical to understand the right rate of fertiliser application because inappropriate use can result in toxicities (Morteza 2010).
As a result, there is a need to assess the feasibility of expanding cucumber yield with inorganic fertiliser.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
Therefore, the study’s aims are:
(i) assess the impact of various inorganic fertiliser rates using NPK 20:10:10 on cucumber growth and yield metrics.
(ii) Assess varietal responses to treatment application in a southern Guinea savanna agroecosystem.
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