Comparative Study of Soil and Foliar NPK Fertilizers on the Yield and Income of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

Fertilizers are used to improve soil fertility and crop production, but high cost and environmental effects have necessitated cost-effective fertilizer management strategies. A field experiment was setup as randomised complete block design with three treatments (Control – no fertilizer, soil NPK and foliar NPK) to compare the benefits of soil and foliar fertilizers on cucumber yield and income. Yield ranged from 9.8–12.3 kg ha-1 and differed significantly (P < 0.001) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK followed by soil NPK and control. Cucumber yield correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with plant height, stem girth and number of leaves. Cucumber fruit length ranged from 16.1–19.1 cm and differed significantly (P < 0.001) across treatments, with the longest in foliar NPK. Plant height ranged from 38.6–70.7 cm and differed significantly (P < 0.001) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK, followed by soil NPK and control. Stem girth ranged from 4.9–5.5 cm and differed significantly (P < 0.05) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK as compared to control. The number of leaves ranged from 13–16 per plant and differed significantly (P < 0.05) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK as compared to control. Number of branches ranged from 12–15 per plant and differed significantly (P < 0.05) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK as compared to control. Income ranged from $7,154–9,289 per hectare and differed significantly (P < 0.001) across treatments, with more income for foliar than soil NPK and control. Overall, the foliar NPK fertilizer recorded more yield and profitability than soil NPK.