EFFICACY OF INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID, MORINGA LEAF EXTRACT AND ALOE VERA EXTRACT ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS) ON A TROPICAL INCEPTISOL, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

The use of synthetic chemical fertilizer has an adverse effect on the growth of crops, soil and the environment itself. However, moringa leaf extract and aloe vera extract can serve as an alternative which are eco - friendly. The study was carried out in the Teaching and Research farm of the University, Okitipupa during March 2024- July 2024. The aim was to evaluate the effects of Indole-3-acetic acid, moringa leaf extract and aloe vera extract on the growth and yield of cucumber. The Pot experiment was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated three times involving four treatments namely: control (no extract), moringa leaf extract at 25ml, aloe vera extract at 100% concentration and Indole-3-acetic acid at 25ml. Growth and yield parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, days to flowering, fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter were evaluated and data collection was subjected to analysis. The results of the study showed that there were significant differences (P=0.05) among the treatments as pots that received 25ml of moringa leaf extract (MLE)performed best on Plant height 145.20 ± 0.02 cm, number of leaves 24.86, stem diameter with value 0.70 was higher in Indole-3-acetic acid and low in control (0.30). In terms of yield contributing parameters with control, showed the lowest days (36 days) to flowering 3.06 and the highest days (29) to flowering was Indole-3-acetic acid. Moringa leaf had the highest values of fruit weight 4.06, fruit diameter 13.50 and fruit length 14.96. This was followed by pots that received 100% aloe vera extract and 25ml of Indole-3-acetic acid with values of 3.06 and 2.56: 12.50 and 12.00, 13.96 and 13.46 in the corresponding treatments respectively. Soil analysis results showed that treatments, moringa leaf extract and aloe vera extract improved soil properties and fertility. Here, maximum plant height, number of leaves, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length was produced by plants sprayed with 25ml of moringa leaf extract. Therefore, it is concluded that moringa leaf extract of 25ml had a significant effect on the growth and yield of cucumber and can be recommended for other crops.