Comparative Study of Soil and Foliar NPK Fertilizers on the Yield and Income of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Christopher Ngosong *
Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon
Brian N. Nkiambuo
Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon
Clovis B. Tanyi
Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon
Raymond N. Nkongho
Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon
Justin N. Okolle
Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Ekona, P.M.B 25, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon
Andrew E. Egbe
Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon
Aaron S. Tening
Department of Agronomic and Applied Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Fertilizers are used to improve soil fertility and crop production, but high cost and environmental effects have necessitated cost-effective fertilizer management strategies. A field experiment was setup as randomised complete block design with three treatments (Control – no fertilizer, soil NPK and foliar NPK) to compare the benefits of soil and foliar fertilizers on cucumber yield and income. Yield ranged from 9.8–12.3 kg ha-1 and differed significantly (P < 0.001) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK followed by soil NPK and control. Cucumber yield correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with plant height, stem girth and number of leaves. Cucumber fruit length ranged from 16.1–19.1 cm and differed significantly (P < 0.001) across treatments, with the longest in foliar NPK. Plant height ranged from 38.6–70.7 cm and differed significantly (P < 0.001) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK, followed by soil NPK and control. Stem girth ranged from 4.9–5.5 cm and differed significantly (P < 0.05) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK as compared to control. The number of leaves ranged from 13–16 per plant and differed significantly (P < 0.05) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK as compared to control. Number of branches ranged from 12–15 per plant and differed significantly (P < 0.05) across treatments, with the highest in foliar NPK as compared to control. Income ranged from $7,154–9,289 per hectare and differed significantly (P < 0.001) across treatments, with more income for foliar than soil NPK and control. Overall, the foliar NPK fertilizer recorded more yield and profitability than soil NPK.
Keywords: Foliar feeding, income, plant nutrition, profitability, root feeding