Effects of Variable RATE of PIG Manure on the Growth and YIELD of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in South Western Nigeria.

Degraded soils and low soil fertility are the major constraints to food security and income levels of smallholder farmers in developing countries. A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of variable rates of pig manure and the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) at Teaching and Research Farms of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State. The treatments consist of pig manure at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0kg/plant laid out in randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Data collected were vine length, number of leaves/plant, number of branches, stem girth, fruit circumference (cm), fruit length (cm), and fruit weight at maturity. Vegetative growth parameters were significantly promoted as the rate of pig manure increased from 0kg to 2.0kg/plant. Also yield attributes increased as the rates of pig manure increased, the highest fruit yield and yield attributes were recorded at 2.0kg/plant rate.  However, stem girth and fruit circumference was not significantly influenced (P≥0.05) influenced by application rate of pig manure. Pig manure applied at 2.0kg/plot improved growth and yield of cucumber. The pig manure has fertilizing effect on cucumber production and could be used as substitute or replacement for scarce and expensive chemical fertilizer and as well reduce environmental hazard posed by the disposal of the pig waste.

Keywords: cucumber, fruit weight, pig manure, yield attributes, variable rates