The effect of spacing on the growth, phenology and yield of two cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties in the forest-savanna: Transition agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing population in Nigeria has resulted in a high demand for food. Some of cucumber production constraints include limited high yielding varieties and appropriate spacing. Therefore, two field trials were conducted to determine growth and yield of two cucumber varieties in 2019, at the research farm of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (Latitude 7°15¹N and Longitude 3°25¹E). The experimental design was a three-time replicated Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a split-plot layout. The main and the sub plots were given the factors: variety and spacing, respectively. The data was analyzed using ANOVA, and the means of significant treatments were separated using Least Significant Difference (p<0.05). Monalisa produced significantly (p<0.05) longer vines than CU 999 in the early season. The results of the experiment showed that increase in plant density brought about increase in fruit yield.