Effect of planting date and varietal differences on growth and fruit yield of cucumber in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Problems of inappropriate planting date and varietal difference are associated with cucumber cultivation in Ogbomoso agro-ecological zone. Field experiments were conducted during the 2013 cropping season at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso to determine the effects of planting date on growth and fruit yield of three cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties. Three varieties of cucumber (Marketer, Ashley and Poinsett) and three planting dates (May, July and September) were evaluated. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with three replicates. Growth and yield parameters (vine length, fruit girth, total number of fruit and fruit yield) were assessed. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% probability level. Main effects of planting time and variety were significant (p≤0.05) on cucumber vine, number of leaves, leaf area, and fruit yield. Longest vine was obtained with marketer (85.53cm) during September planting time (86.94). The leaf area of Poinsett (1046.0 cm2), May planting time (1172.96 cm2) were significantly higher. With respect to fruit yield, the significant yields were obtained with Poinsett (22.64 t/ha) planted in May (27.46 t/ha). Among the interactive effects, Poinsett planted in May had the best values for plant leaf area and fruit yield. It could be concluded that cucumber Poinsett variety performed best when planted in May. It is therefore recommended that cucumber variety Poinsett can be cultivated in this agro-ecological zone.