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Effect of mulching materials and pruning on growth and yield of cucumber (<i>Cucumis sativus</i> L.)
Abstract
The effects of two pruning treatments (main stem pruning and non-pruning) and four mulching materials (non – mulching, black plastic, white plastic and rice hull mulch) on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was studied. The experiment was a 2 x 4 factorial laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). There were a total of 8 treatments with four replications. Data collected was statistically analyzed for differences between mulching materials and pruning using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and separation of means for significant effect was by the use of Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% of probability. Vine length, number of leaves, number of flowers, total number of fruits, length, diameter and weight of fruits, number of marketable and non – marketable fruits were highest in rice hull mulched plots. Non – pruning treatment produced a higher total number of fruits, length, diameter and weight of fruits, number of marketable and non- marketable fruits. Black plastic mulch which took the longest time to bud break also produced the least value in all the yield parameters assessed except in the length of fruits. In Abakaliki, rice hull mulch and non-pruning produced an optimum marketable yield of cucumber.
Keywords: Cucumber, mulching materials, pruning and performance
