Comparative Effect of Poultry-based Organic Manure on Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) in Obio Akpa, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm, Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus to assess the effect of poultry-based organic manure combinations on growth and yield of cucumber in Obio Akpa, 2023. The experiment was laid out in a randomize complete block design and replicated three times. The treatments used were T1 (Poultry manure); T2 (Poultry manure + Piggery droppings); T3 (Poultry manure + Cattle droppings); T4 (Poultry manure + Rabbit droppings); T5 (Poultry manure + Piggery droppings + Cattle droppings); T6 (Poultry manure + Piggery droppings + Cattle droppings + Rabbit droppings) applied at 40g and control. Result showed Significant differences (P<0.05) among the Poultry manure combinations at 4, 6, 8 Weeks After Planting (WAP) on the growth parameters (vine length, vine girth, number of leaves and number of vines) whereas the yield showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the Poultry manure combinations on all the components. Longest vine length (112.23cm, 145.21cm) were obtained at 6 and 8 WAP with T4 and T3 respectively. T4 produced high vine girth (3.69cm, 3.94cm) at 6 and 8 WAP whereas highest number of vines were produces at 6 and 8 WAP. The treatment T6 gave higher values of number of vines at 2, 4, 6, 8 WAP. Application of T6 produced significant larger fruit yield of 22.71 t/ha while treatment combination of T5 produced 22.60 t/ha fruit yield. Treatment with T4 had 19.25 t/ha fruit yield, while T2 had 18.23 t/ha fruit yield. The treatment of sole application of Pm produced fruit yield of 16.20 t/ha fruit yield compared to the least fruit yield of 7,10 t/ha recorded in control treatment. Considering that the fruit yield of 22.71 t/ha obtained from T6 was not significantly different when compared with 22.60 t/ha recorded in treatment of T5. Therefore, T6 was recommended to cucumber farmers.