Effects of compost and horse manure teas on growth, yield, and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Semi-Arid Nigeria

Abstract

The need for safe, healthful food on a worldwide scale drives modern agriculture to use organic farming methods to boost crop yield while protecting the environment and slowing down climate change. A field and net house study was conducted in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria to evaluate the effects of compost tea (CT) and horse manure tea (HMT) on flowering, growth, yield, and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The experiment was a 4 x 4 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates consisting of four (4) levels each of CT and HMT (0, 100, 125, and 150 ml/L). Compost tea significantly reduced days to 50% flowering in both environments. In the open field, 150 ml m^-² CT led to the earliest flowering (40.9 days), compared to 53.6 days in the control. Dry matter accumulation also improved significantly, with 150 ml m^-² CT yielding 24.9 g and 23.9 g in the net house and open field, respectively. CT significantly increased yield, with 8.9 t/ha in the net house and 7.8 t/ha in the open field at 150 ml m^-². CT application enhanced fruit N, K, vitamin C, and Brix content, with 6.1 % N, 1453 mg kg^-1 K, 2.82 mg/100 g Vit C, and 2.5 Brix at 150 ml m^-². HMT also influenced some parameters but was less effective. The CT × HMT interaction showed synergistic effects on flowering, dry matter, and nutrient content. These findings suggest compost tea is a potent organic input for enhancing cucumber productivity.

Keywords: Dry matter, tissue N, P, K, yield characters, cucumber, open field, net house, semi-arid ecology