Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.)in South-South Nigeria

The experiment was conducted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching and Research farm, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria from April to August, 2019 on the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L). The research was done in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and replicated four times. The treatments include control (no application), NPK 15:15:15, spent mushroom substrate, and poultry manure. Data collected were, vine length (plant height), number of leaves, stem girth, leaf area, length of pod, weight of pod. Results showed that plots with poultry manure had significant effect on vine length, number of leaves, leaf area at 6 weeks after planting (WAP) and 8WAP. The highest number of fruits was 9.0 per plot or 15,000 per hectare and highest fruit weight was 1.59kg/plot (2,650kg/ha) which were higher than NPK 15:15:15 (0.47kg/plot or 783.33kg/ha) and spent mushroom substrate (0.19kg/plot or 316.67kg/ha). Hence, the use of poultry manure as organic source for the cultivation of cucumber in the study area would be recommended.