Effect of Poultry Manure and NPK Fertilizer on the Growth, Fruit and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Afaka Community of Guinea Savannah, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka-Kaduna, to determine the effect of poultry manure and NPK fertilizer on the growth, fruit and yield of cucumber. Two (2) treatment of poultry manure (10tons/ha and 15tons/ha) and two (2) treatment NPK fertilizer (150 kg/ha) and (200 kg/ha) were used. Experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and parameters measured include number of leaves, leaf diameter, vine length, number of flowers, fruit weight and fruit diameter the data was collected at 3, 6 and 9 WAP and subjected to analysis of variance and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the end of the experiment, the results showed a significant effect (P < 0.05) of above treatment generally, poultry manure (15ton/ha) has the highest yield (P < 0.05), while the control plant has the lowest (P < 0.05) yield. It is recommended that the horticulturist in the study area should adopt poultry manure (15 tons/ha) for effective growth and good fruit yield of cucumber.