Conjugal Effect of D.I. Grow Bio-Organic Fertilizer and Organic -Minerial Fertilizer on The Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L) in South Eastern Rainforest Zone of Nigeria..pdf

A 3 x 4 factorial nutrient experiment on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was conducted in 2022 and 2023 cropping season at the Crop Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, University of Calabar, Calabar to evaluate the conjugal effect of varying concentrations of foliar applied D.I. Grow bio-organic fertilizer (D) at 0, 50 and 100 ml/L and organo-mineral fertilizer rates at 0,3, 6 and 9 t/ha on the productivity of cucumber. Treatments were factorially combined and laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated thrice. Data were presented as an average of two years and mean (+SE) of three replicates. Data generated were subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significantly different means were compared using Fisher's least significant difference (FLSD) while interactions were compared using New Duncan's Multiple Range Test Method (DMRT). Results obtained showed that foliar sprayed D-Grow bio-organic fertilizer significantly (P<0.05) and potentially enhanced vine length, number of leaves and leaf area at high levels but was not significant on yield indicators irrespective of the rates. However, a synergy between D.I. Grow fertilizer at higher rates (100 ml/L) in conjunction with lower rate (3 t/ha) of organo-mineral fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) produced higher growth and yield indices as well as fruit yield per hectare and is therefore suggested for recommendation and adoption by vegetable farmers in Southeastern agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Key Words: Cucumber, D.I. Grow fertilizer, organo-mineral fertilizer, conjugation and yield.