RESPONSE OF CUCUMBER TO DIFFERENT FERTILIZER SOURCES THROUGH SACK BAG CULTIVATION IN OBIO AKPA

Field experiment was conducted at teaching and research farm of AkwaIbom state university, ObioAkpa campus in 2024, to assess different fertilizer source on growth and yield of cucumber. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. The treatments were goat manure, pig manure, cow dung, empty fruit bunch ash (EFBA), inorganic fertilizer (NPK) and control (no soil amendment). Growth and yield data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant means were compared with least significant difference at 5% probability level. Results showed that treatment of cow dung had significant higher number of leaves per plant at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after planting (WAP); 7.01, 29.70 and 56.91 respectively, followed by; 29.45 and 55.66 at 6 and 9WAP, respectively recorded in NPK. The least number of leaves per plant; 2.23, 10.81 and 23.01 at 3, 6 and 9WAP, respectively was recorded in control.Treatment of cow dung produced significant higher number of fruits per plant; 6.30, followed by 6.24 fruits recorded in NPK fertilizer. The least number of fruits per plant; 1.63 was recorded in control treatment.Result showed that treatment of cow dung had significant fruit yield;19.76t/ha, followed by19.64 t/ha recorded in NPK treatment. The resultsshowed no statistically significant when the fruit yields obtained from NPK, cow dung, goat manure and pig manure treatments were compared. The least fruit yield; 5.10 t/ha was recorded in control treatment.