Effects of Irrigation Regimes on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different irrigation depths and intervals on cucumber yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, to develop sustainable irrigation strategies for water-limited environments. Study Design: The experiment employed a split-plot randomized complete block design with three irrigation depths (D1: 100% ETc, D2: 85% ETc, D3: 70% ETc) as main plots and three irrigation intervals (I1: daily, I2: 2-day, I3: 3-day) as sub-plots. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Agricultural Engineering Department, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, during the dry season between February and April 2024. Methodology: The Darina F1 cucumber variety was grown under drip irrigation. Yield and water consumption were monitored throughout the growing season. Irrigation volumes were calculated based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and WUE was determined as the ratio of yield to total irrigation water applied. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and treatment means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a 5% probability level. Results: The highest yield (8,738.79 kg/ha) was achieved under full irrigation (D1), while the highest WUE (155.30 kg/m³) was observed under D3, representing a 15% improvement over full irrigation. Daily irrigation (I1) produced the highest WUE (196.52 kg/m³), approximately 37% higher than 2-day intervals. The interaction between depth and interval revealed that D3I1 (70% ETc with daily irrigation) achieved the optimal balance between yield and water use efficiency, with a WUE of 210.18 kg/m³. Conclusion: 70% ETc irrigation combined with daily water application offers a sustainable approach for cucumber production in water-limited environments, balancing yield and water conservation. Full irrigation with daily intervals remains the most productive approach where water availability is not constrained.