Effects of NPK Fertilizer and Vine Care on Soil Chemical Properties and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Growth and Yield Parameters

Abstract

Cucumber yield in Nigeria is limited by low soil fertility. Therefore, field fertility and vine care experiments that have ability to moderate yield were conducted in the year 2015 cropping seasons. The experiment was located on farmer’s field at Abeokuta, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria to study the effects of NPK fertilizer and vine care on soil chemical properties, leaf nutrient content, growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). It was a 4 x 3 factorial experiment arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Four levels of NPK nutrient formulations (control, NPK15-15-15, NPK 20-10-10 and NPKMg 12-12-17-2) and three vine care types (unstaked, staked and trellised) were applied. Pre-experiment soil samples and soils from each plot at the end of the experiment were collected for soil chemical analysis. Leaf nutrient contents were determined. Plant growth and yield data were measured. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis and the interaction between factors combined separated. NPK fertilizers significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg and leaf P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations, Cucumber fruit yield was increased by NPKMg 12-12-17-2 (90.5%), NPK 15-15-15 (60.4%) and NPK 20-10-10 (30.0%) compared with control. Application of vine care enhanced performance of cucumber, fruit yield was increased by trellised (34.0%) and staked (17.3%) compared with control. Combined application of NPKMg 12-12-17-2 and trellising was found most suitable for cucumber production.