Influence of Different Growth Media on Growth and Yield Performances of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus Linn.)

Abstract

Growth and yield performances of cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linn.) as influenced by different growth media were experimented at the field research site of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. Loamy/top soil, mixture of top soil + pulverized poultry droppings, sandy soil, clayey soil and washed river sand (as control) were employed as growth media/treatments (A, B, C, D & E respectively) and their physicochemical analyses (pH, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, exchangeable acidity, ECEC, textural class) were carried out prior to the commencement of the study. The experiment was a completely randomized design consisting of 5 treatments and 5 replicates. Seedlings’ emergence percentage, morphological growth characters (tendril collar girth, number of leaves, leaf area, number of branches, tendril length) and yield indices (number of flowers, number of fruits, size of fruits and fruit fresh weight) were assessed. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. 100% seedlings’ emergence was observed in all the treatments except B which had 50% only, ANOVA indicated significant differences (at P<0.01/P<0.05) among the treatments of which treatment B (mixture of top soil + pulverized poultry droppings) emerged as the best treatment that outstandingly and positively influenced the growth and yield of the cucumber plant and was recommended for its commercial cultivation/production.

Keywords: Growth, yield, performance, cucumber, growth media.