EFFECTS OF PLANT DENSITY AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER LEVEL ON CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativa L.)

EFFECTS OF PLANT DENSITY AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER LEVEL ON CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativa L.)

Abstract:

In order to study the response of cucumber to different Ahmadu Bello University Zaria during the 1992 rainy season. Four N levels (0 nitrogen levels and planting densities a field trail was conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, , 25, 50, 75kg/ha) and four planting densities (10,000, 20,000, 30,000 and 40,000 plants/ha) were tested in factorial combinations. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. Nitrogen application significantly increased fresh and dry weight of the vines, mean fruit weight, circumference of fruit, and total yield per ha. The mean fruit weight and yield per/ha were maximum at 75 kg N/ha. Although values at 75 KgN were not significantly different from those at 50 KgN/ha, the regression of yield/ha on nitrogen lof levels was linear (r2= 14.6%)The fresh and dry weight of the vines were reduced but the fruit circumference, lenght and yield/ha were increased as plant density was increased from 10,000 to 30,000 plants/ha. The regression of yield/ha on plant density indicate a linear response (r2= 23.9%). The interaction between nitrogen levels and plant density was significant on the fresh and dry weight of vine,increasing density without applied N had no significant effect on vine fresh weight and dry weights. Maximum fruit yield/ha was obtained with 40,000 plants/ha at 75 KgN/ha in this experiment. The linear yield responses to both N and plant density suggest even higher plant density and N levels. Further work is needed to determine the optimum levels of density and N

EFFECTS OF PLANT DENSITY AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER LEVEL ON CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativa L.)