PLANT SPACING IMPACT ON ANTHRACNOSE AND DOWNY MILDEW DISEASE DEVELOPMENT IN CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus L.) PRODUCTION

Anthracnose and downy mildew diseases pose significant challenges to cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Inappropriate spacing exacerbates disease development and spread, contributing to yield losses and economic hardship for growers. Chemical control measures have been an effective means of management, but its residue causes havoc to the environment and man’s health. To address this issue, field experiments were conducted during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of plant spacing on the incidence and severity of anthracnose and downy mildew diseases in Marketmoore cucumber variety. The experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design with five different plant spacing treatments: 1m by 1m (control), 1m by 0.5m, 1m by 0.75m, 1m by 1.25m, and 1m by 1.5m. Disease symptoms were monitored at 7, and 9 weeks after planting, and marketable yield was assessed. Statistical analysis revealed there were no significant differences in disease incidence among the treatments, however yield was significantly different amongst spacing treatments. Results showed that wider plant spacing (1m by 1.5m) resulted in reduced disease severity compared to narrower spacings. Additionally, the 1m by 1.5m spacing treatment yielded the highest marketable yield. These findings emphasized on the importance of proper plant spacing in mitigating anthracnose and downy mildew diseases and optimizing cucumber production in Abeokuta, Nigeria.