SOIL PROPERTIES AND FRESH FRUIT YIELD OF CUCUMBER UNDER UREA FERTILIZER APPLICATION

ABSTRACT

This study examined the Soil properties Fruit yield of cucumber under different rate of UREA   fertilizer.  The study site was Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and research farm. Soil samples were collected before and after planting  using the soil auger, Three treatment which includes 0kg, 50kg/ha and 100kg /ha were applied in a Randomized Completely Block Design(RCBD).  The soils were analyzed for some chemical Properties and plant parameters was also analysed.  Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and the mean were seperated using Duncan MRT. Result showed that the pH before planting cucumber was 5.72 which indicated that the soil is slightly acidic. Organic carbon before planting was 18.50g/kg which showed there was higher amount of microbial activities Which in turn  improved cucumber productivity. Chemical analysis after planting  cucumber for the following parameters e.g  with  pH with 50kg/ha NPk was recorded as the highest pH  and  0kg/ha  was recorded  with the lowest  pH with values of 4.59 and 4.53 respectively. This showed  that 50kg/ha NPK fertilizer treatment is strongly acidic resulting. Plant height Of cucumber at 0kg/ha ,50kg /ha NPK fertilizers and 100kg/ha NPK fertilizer was 13.60, 9.64 and 10.20 respectively  with a mean of 11.5 which  showed the control value was higher than the other treatment. It was observed before planting  some chemical properties such as organic matter was 18.50g/kg while after planting , organic matter  ranges from 8.83-11.57 g/kg which shows fertilizer application  altered the chemical framework of soil of the studied  area which therefore led to low productivity of cucumber.