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© 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

MANIPULATIVE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON THE GROWTH 
AND YIELD OF CUCUMBER NOURISHED WITH POULTRY MANURE IN SANDY 
LOAM SOIL   

 

 

 Christian Chinedu 
Ali1+ 

 Vincent Chidindu 
Asogwa2 

 Chiamaka 
Francisca Izuakor3 

 

1Department of Agricultural Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 
Nigeria. 
Email: christian.ali@unn.edu.ng  
2Department of Agricultural Education and Extension, University of 
Eswatini, Republic of Eswatini.   
Email: asovinchidi@yahoo.com  
3Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe 
University, Awka, Nigeria. 
Email: cf.izuakor@unizik.edu.ng  
  

 
(+ Corresponding author) 

 ABSTRACT 
 
Article History 
Received: 3 October 2022 
Revised: 16 November 2022 
Accepted: 28 November 2022 
Published: 8 December 2022  
 

Keywords 
Cucumber 
Growth 
Open condition 
Poultry manure 
Sandy loam soil 
Shaded condition 
Yield. 

 
There is high demand for cucumber because of its nutritional and medicinal 
implications. Despite the several benefits of the crop, there is little information on the 
agronomic performance of the crop in open and shaded conditions using different rates 
of poultry manure in south east Nigeria. The experiment was carried out to determine 
the effect of different rates of poultry manure on the growth and yield of cucumber in 
open and shaded conditions. This research was conducted in the research farm of the 
Agricultural Education Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The experiment 
was laid out using RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) and replicated three 
times for both the open and shaded conditions. The poultry manure treatments applied 
were 0, 2 and 4ton/ha and data for the growth parameters were recorded on the 4th, 
6th and 8th weeks after planting (WAP) while data on yield parameters were taken at 
harvest. The results indicated that cucumber planted under open system had the 
highest number of leaves, branches, stem girth, number of flowers, number of fruits and 
weight of fruits per plant when treated with 2ton/ha of poultry manure in comparison 
with 0ton/ha and 4ton/ha treatments under shaded system. The researchers therefore 
concluded that farmers in the study area can grow cucumbers in an open field with 
2ton/ha poultry manure for optimal growth and yield of the crop.  
 

Contribution/Originality: We compared the growth and yield of cucumber crops grown in an open and shaded 

environment using poultry manure as fertilizer. The comparison revealed that cucumber growth and yield 

parameters are greatly affected by (open and shaded) environmental conditions which allowed us to see how 

importance it is. 

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important dicotyledonous vegetable crop of Cucurbitaceae family that bears 

cylindrical fruits [1-3]. Cucumber is one of the most cultivated and consumed species of the Cucurbitaceae in the 

world [3]. The yield of cucumber varies from species to species and depends on the environmental conditions such 

as climatic conditions, biotic elements and soil characteristics of the site [4]. 

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 
2022 Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 98-108. 
ISSN(e): 2312-6418 
ISSN(p): 2313-3716 
DOI: 10.18488/cras.v9i2.3223 
© 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8504-6304
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8743-0139
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6474-6851
mailto:christian.ali@unn.edu.ng
mailto:asovinchidi@yahoo.com
mailto:cf.izuakor@unizik.edu.ng
https://www.doi.org/10.18488/cras.v9i2.3223


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99 

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The nutrient components of cucumber are vital for body development [5, 6]. This is in line with Sanni, et al. 

[7] that cucumber has great nutritional and health benefits which include treatment of dyspepsia in children and in 

skin care, cancer prevention and rehydrating of body [5, 6] aids in weight loss and digestion, cures diabetes, 

reduces cholesterol, helps in elimination of toxins from the human body and controls blood pressure [8]. Cucumber 

according to Umeh and Ojiako [9] and Opara, et al. [10] is a very good source of phytonutrients like dietary fibers, 

vitamins A, C, K and B6, beta-carotene, flavonoid, lycopene, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, copper 

and equally rich in pantothemic acid. 

However, of all this health and nutritional benefits of cucumber, Nigeria is not ranked in the production of 

cucumber whereas countries like China, India, Russia and US are the world major producers of cucumber [1]. This 

is because they only cultivate the crop in a few states in the northern part of the country. The significance of 

cucumber is increasing as a subsistence crop among rural and urban dwellers of Nigeria and they can link this to 

the nutritional and medicinal values. Nigerians consume most of the cucumbers produced and they sell very few in 

the markets at high prices especially in the eastern Nigeria where it is believed that cucumbers cannot grow.  

Despite, the health benefits of cucumber and its contribution to food security there is a dearth of research on 

cucumber production in Nigeria especially in the south eastern part. These areas that have not been researched in 

Nigeria include growth and yield of cucumber treated with poultry manure under open and shaded conditions. The 

challenges stated above in the cucumber industry of Nigeria can be handled possibly through research effort. 

Research reports revealed contradicting outcomes; in Jordan for instance Siwek and Lipowiecka [11], reported a 

low yield of cucumber under shady condition whereas Gent [12] and Abu-Zahra and Ateyyat [13] reported a high 

yield of cucumber under open condition in summer months.  Presently the yield of cucumber in Nigeria is low and 

cucumber farmers do not know whether the crop thrives well under open or shaded conditions as they depend on 

old and poor agronomic production practices in their crop production. Therefore, research into agronomic 

conditions is urgently needed to know which conditions to adopt to improve the production of cucumber to enhance 

food security and alleviate poverty among the farmers in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the effects 

of poultry manure on the growth and yield of cucumber in open and shaded conditions in sandy loam soil in 

Nigeria. 

 

Table 1. Physiochemical properties of the study site at (0-30cm) and poultry manure samples. 

Parameters Soil test value 

pH Values 
Soil pH (water) 4.6 
Soil pH (KCl) 3.8 

Organic Matter% 
Organic carbon 2.41 
Organic matter 2.43 
Total nitrogen 1.27 
Available phosphorus (mg/kg) 7.19 

Exchangeable Bases (me/100g) 

K 0.09 
Mg 1.80 
Na 0.09 
Ca 0.83 

Exchangeable Acidity (me/100g) 
Al 0.62 
H 2.30 
Cation exchangeable capacity 13.00 

Textural class (%) 
Sand 79 
Silt 8 
Clay 13 
Textural class Sandy loam 

 



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2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

2.1. Study Location 

The study was conducted from the month of March to May 2019 in the research farm of the Agricultural 

Education Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Nsukka is located on latitude 6°511E, and longitude 7°291N 

of 475m above sea level [14, 15]. The rainfall distribution of Nsukka zone is between 168mm - 1700mm, with a 

tropical climate of derived savannah marked by two distinct (dry and wet) seasons [16] and with mean annual 

minimum and maximum temperatures of 25ºC and 32⁰C respectively [17]. The natural day length for Nsukka is 

twelve hours and the relative humidity ranges from 34% to 78% [18]. Table 1 described the physicochemical 

composition of the composite soil surface sample (0 - 30 cm) of the experimental site as sandy Loam. The result 

revealed that the soil was slightly acidic and required fertilizer treatment of alkaline in nature for improve growth 

and development of crop [16] hence, the application different rates of poultry manure.   

 

2.2. Experimental Design and Treatments Application 

The study was carried out using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments 

replicated thrice. The experimental area was determined by marking out and measuring 11.36m x 5.8m (65.89m2).   

Therefore, two equal blocks of 5.68m x 2.90m were measured out and randomly assigned to represent open and 

shaded conditions for the experiment. The blocks were spaced 1.30m apart and labeled I and II. Each block 

comprised six plots, measuring 2.58m x 0.88m spaced 0.5m apart. Shade of organic materials (bamboo and palm 

fronds) of 2m above the seedbed was made on block I while block II was open system. This gave a total of 9 plots 

for each block and 18 plots for the entire field. The treatments applied were as follows: (a) 0ton/ha, (b) 2t/ ha and 

(c) 4t/ ha. Before the commencement of the treatment, poultry manure samples were collected and analyzed for 

physicochemical properties using standard laboratory methods Table 2. The result of poultry manure analysis 

shows that it is alkaline in nature and suitable for treating an acidic soil [16]. The choice of poultry manure is based 

on availability and affordability within the study location.  The poultry manure was worked into the soil with hoe at 

the debt of 0-5cm in second week of March 2019 two weeks before planting to allow for decomposition, 

mineralization and nutrient release into the soil. There are three main varieties of cucumber thus; Slicing, Pickling 

and Burpless. For the purpose of this study slicing variety was considered because it is the only one available in the 

local markets of the study location. 

The cucumber seeds were sown at a spacing of 46cm x 46cm at two seeds per hole in a single row. Supplying of 

vacant spaces was done a week after planting. Seedlings were thinned down to one per hole leaving five stands of 

cucumber seedlings per plot within two weeks after planting. Three stands of cucumber out of the five stands were 

randomly tagged per plot for data collection. The total population (N) of the experimental stands was ninety stands 

of cucumber while fifty-four stands were sampled (n) for the study.  Two weeks after planting, manual weeding was 

done using hoe and pulling and repeated every two weeks’ interval and no additional inputs were added (water and 

fertilizer). The crops were sprayed with Ironforce and Glomectin, and RemildoGold66WP (insecticides and 

fungicide respectively) at the rate of 20ml/20l of water at 3 and 4 weeks after sowing to protect the crops against 

insects and fungi diseases. Harvesting was done by handpicking the matured fruits. 

 

2.3. Data Collection and Analysis 

Data on the growth and yield parameters were collected from three randomly selected plants from each plot 

using a counting method, measuring tape and Vernier calipers.  For the growth parameters, data on a number of 

leaves, flowers and branches were collected using counting method, data on vine length was collected using 

measuring tape while for the stem girth was collected using Vernier caliper at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting 

(WAP). Data on the yield parameters such as number of flowers and fruits per plant were collected using counting 

methods while fruit weight was collected using a 10-kg scale.  Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance 



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© 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

(ANOVA) using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS version 21 and significant means were compared 

using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at (p≤ 0.05) level of significance. 

 

Table 2. Physicochemical properties of poultry manure sample used for the study. 

S/N Parameters Poultry manure test value 

1 pH 8.4 

2 Organic matter 721gKg-1 

3 N 60.3 gKg-1 

4 P 0.7 gKg-1 

5 Ca 35.6 gKg-1 

6 Mg 6.6 gKg-1 

7 K 4.8 gKg-1 

8 Na 0.6 gKg-1 

9 Fe 376 gKg-1 

10 Mn 398 gKg-1 

11 Cu 23.1 gKg-1 

12 Zn 321 g-1 

 

3. RESULTS  

3.1. Effect of Poultry Manure on the Growth Parameters of Cucumber in Open and Shaded conditions 

Table 3 revealed the growth parameters of cucumber grown under open and shaded conditions in sandy loam 

at 4, 6 and 8 WAP. The growth parameters were all significantly affected by planting conditions and poultry 

manure treatments at (P ≤ 0.05). The data analysis revealed that at 4, 6 and 8 WAP cucumber crops grown under 

open condition had a greater number of leaves per plant than the ones grown under shaded condition. This could be 

because that cucumber crops grown in an open field had favourable temperature and light intensity than those in 

shaded conditions. The result equally showed that cucumber grown with 2ton/ha poultry manure treatment had 

the highest number of leaves when compared with 4ton/ha and control treatments. This could be that 2ton/ha 

poultry manure had the appropriate nutrients needed for optimal vegetative performance of cucumber cumber 

crops.  

 

Table 3. Effect of poultry manure on the growth parameters of cucumber in open and shaded conditions. 

 4WAP 6WAP 8WAP 

Poultry manure Open Shade Mean Open Shade Mean Open Shade Mean 

Leaves/plant 
0ton/ha-1 4.00 2.10 3.05*** 2.33 1.50 1.92*** 4.67 2.67 3.67*** 

2t/ ha-1 12.33 12.17 12.25* 22.33 18.17 20.25* 18.67 15.17 16.92* 

4t/ ha-1 11.67 9.50 10.59** 21.17 17.83 19.50** 16.17 10.84 13.51** 

Mean 9.33a 7.92b  15.28a 12.5b  13.17a 9.56b  
Branches/plant 
0ton/ha-1 1.00 1.00 1.00* 1.00 1.00 1.00* 1.00 1.00 1.00* 

2t/ ha-1 1.50 1.17 1.34* 2.17 1.33 1.75** 2.17 1.50 1.84** 

4t/ ha-1 1.17 2.00 1.59** 2.00 1.17 1.59** 2.17 1.33 1.75** 

Mean 1.22a 1.39a  1.72a 1.22b  1.78a 1.50a  
Vine length/plant (cm) 
0ton/ha-1 2.90 5.17 4.04*** 5.67 8.17 6.92*** 6.34 8.67 7.51*** 

2t/ ha-1 54.34 67.83 61.06* 132.33 140.50 136.42* 143.67 145.34 144.51* 

4t/ ha-1 46.84 50.33 48.59** 121.17 129.84 125.51** 132.34 137.00 134.67** 

Mean 34.69b 41.11a  86.39b 92.84a  94.12b 97.00a  
Stem girth/plant (cm) 
0ton/ha-1 0.44 0.19 0.32** 0.46 0.28 0.37*** 0.67 0.47 0.57** 

2t/ ha-1 1.03 0.88 0.96* 1.98 1.10 1.54* 2.10 1.31 1.71* 

4t/ ha-1 0.97 0.83 0.90* 1.10 1.00 1.05** 1.65 1.41 1.53* 

Mean 0.81a 0.63a  1.18a 0.79a  2.21a 1.06a  
Note: Along the column means of the same number of asterisks (*) or (letter) are statistically similar (LSD, 5%). 



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Based on the result of the analysis of the plant branches, it shows that at 4WAP there are no significant 

differences in the number of branches of cucumber grown under open and shaded conditions. Among treatments 

used for the study, cucumber grown with 4ton/ha of poultry manure had the highest number of branches when 

compared with 2ton/ha and 0ton/ha treatments. The result further revealed that there are no significant differences 

in the number of branches per plant of cucumber when grown with 2ton/ha poultry manure and control treatments 

under open and shaded conditions. At 6WAP cucumber grown under open conditions had the highest number of 

branches per plant when compared with shady condition. The result further indicated, that there are no significant 

differences in number of branches per plant when treated with 4ton/ha and 2ton/ha poultry manure at 6 and 

8WAP. At 8WAP, the result revealed that there are no significant differences in number of branches per cucumber 

plant when grown under open and shaded conditions. 

The vine length was significantly affected by the planting conditions and poultry manure treatments applied. 

The result shows that at 4 (41.11cm), 6 (92.84cm), and 8(97.00cm) WAP cucumber crops grown under shaded 

environment had the highest vine length when compared with the ones planted under open condition. This could be 

that reduction in temperature and light intensity promote elongation of cucumber vine under shaded condition than 

in an open field.  

The result revealed that there was no significant difference in the stem girth of cucumber crops grown under 

open and shaded conditions at 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting.  The result equally revealed significant difference 

between the control treatment and the other treatments. However, there is no significant differences in the stem 

girth of cucumber crops grown with 2ton/ha and 4ton/ha poultry manure. In terms of fertilizer treatments used, 

the study revealed that cucumber crops grown in an open field with 2ton/ha poultry manure had the highest 

interactive effect on stem girth, number of leaves, branches and vine length at 4, 6 and 8 WAP.   

 

3.2. Effect of Poultry Manure on the Yield Parameters of Cucumber Crops Grown under Open and Shaded conditions 

Figure 1 show the effects of poultry manure on number cucumber flowers grown under open and shaded 

conditions. The figure revealed that there are significance differences on the effect of poultry manure on number of 

cucumber flowers grown under open and shaded conditions. 

The Figure 1 revealed that in control treatment, cucumber crops grown under both open and shaded conditions 

failed to bear flowers at 4, 6 and 8WAP. The result of the study show that the highest number of cucumber flowers 

were recorded in an open field at4, 6 and 8WAP when treated with 2ton/ha poultry manure and 4 and 8WAP when 

nourished with 4ton/ha poultry manure. The figure equally revealed that at 4 weeks after planting both open and 

shaded environment had equal number of flowers when grown with 4ton/ha poultry manure treatment.  

Figure 2 show significance differences on the effects of poultry manure in terms of number of cucumber fruits 

per plant under open and shaded conditions. The figure shows that cucumber crops grown in both open and shaded 

conditions failed to bear fruits under control treatment. The figure 2pointed out that cucumber crops grown under 

open condition performed better in terms of number of fruits per plant than those grown under shaded condition. 

The figure further show that cucumber crops planted in an open field condition had the highest number of fruits per 

plant when 2ton/ha poultry manure was applied in comparison with 4ton/ha treatment.  

 



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© 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
Figure 1. Effect of poultry manure on number of flowers/plant of cucumber grown under open and shaded conditions at 4, 6 and 8 WAP. 

 

 
Figure 2. Effect of poultry manure on number of fruits/plant of cucumber grown under open and shaded conditions at 8 WAP. 

 

Figure 3 revealed the effect of poultry manure on average fruit weight per plant of cucumber crops grown 

under open and shaded conditions. The figure reveled that cucumber crops grown under open condition had the 

highest average fruit weight when nourished with2ton/ha poultry manure. Findings equally alien with Azarmi, et 

al. [19] that cucumber fruit weight and number per crop in the shaded conditions was severely decreased by 57% 

and 69.5% respectively when compared with open filed plant. The study also revealed that poultry manure rate of 

2ton/ha performed better than control and 4ton/ha treatment in both open and shaded conditions. 



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© 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
Figure 3. Effect of poultry manure on average fruits weight/plant of cucumber grown under open and shaded conditions. 

 

4. DISCUSSION 

Table 3 showed the growth indices of cucumber planted under open and shaded systems in sandy loam at 4, 6 

and 8 weeks after planting.  The findings of the study indicated that cucumber growth parameters were greatly 

affected by growing conditions and varying rates of poultry manure applied. The result showed that cucumber 

crops grown in open condition did better in terms of number of leaves when treated with 2 t/ha poultry manure 

when comparing it with the shaded condition.  This affirmed Masabni, et al. [20] and Torres-Olivar, et al. [21] 

findings that cucumber crops grown under open field had the highest number of leaves per plant, plant fresh and 

dry weight when compared with the ones grown under shaded condition.  

The finding however contradicts Sandri, et al. [22] and Abu-Zahra and Ateyyat [23] reports that cucumber 

crops under shaded conditions performed better in terms of number of leaves per plant and in other growth 

parameters.  The findings contradict the report of Law-Ogbomo and Osaigbovo [24] and Enujeke [25] that 

vegetative parameters like number of leave, branches and vine length per plant increased with an increase in 

quantity of poultry manure applied. 

The findings of the study pointed out that numbers of branches per plant increased in an open condition when 

nourished with 4 t/ha poultry manure whereas in the shaded condition the reversed was the case. The finding 

agreed with Law-Ogbomo and Osaigbovo [24] and Okoli and Nweke [26] that cucumber branches per plant 

increase with an increasing rate of poultry manure. The findings concord with the previous research findings that 

cucumber grown in an open condition produced a greater number of branches than those grown in a shaded 

environment [19, 20, 27]. 

In terms of vine length, the current findings revealed that cucumber grown under shaded conditions produced 

the longest vines length in comparison with those grown in an open field when treated with different rates of 

poultry manure. The finding is in line with Sandri, et al. [22] that recorded longest vine in cucumber grown under 

shaded condition. The findings equally collaborate with Azarmi, et al. [19] and Semida, et al. [27] that cucumber 

grown under shaded condition had longer stem with larger internodes, thinner leaves and lager leave area. The 

result further indicated that at 4, 6 and 8 WAP, cucumber crops grown with 2ton/ha poultry manure had the 



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highest vine length when compared with 4ton/ha and 0ton/ha treatments which was in disagreement with Law-

Ogbomo and Osaigbovo [24]; Enujeke [25]. 

There was no observable difference in the stem girth of cucumber crop grown with different rates of poultry 

manure in different growing environmental conditions as revealed by the findings of the present study. The study 

further exposed that the interaction effect was more in an open condition when comparing it with shaded condition. 

The result is in agreement with the findings of Torres-Olivar, et al. [21]  that there is significant increase in 

growth parameters of cucumber grown in an open field whereas reduction in growth parameters occurred under the 

shaded condition. However, the findings of this study disagree with Semida, et al. [27] that number of leaves, leaf 

area, vine length and stem girth per plant increased under shady condition. 

The findings indicated that the numbers of flowers per cucumber stand are influenced by growing conditions 

and different rates of fertilizer treatment. The findings as displayed in Figure 1 showed that in an open field 

condition cucumber crops produced more numbers of flowers than the shaded environment especially when 2 t/ha 

poultry manure was applied. The result equals Semida, et al. [27] research report of higher number of cucumber 

flowers under open condition. The result indicates that increase in poultry manure quantity does not translate to 

increase in flowers. This is in agreement with Ali Kabeh, et al. [28] that increase in organic manure does not 

translate to increase in number of watermelon flowers and fruits in sandy loam. 

The findings of the study in Figure 2 showed that the number of fruits per cucumber stand were influenced by 

the growing conditions and rates of poultry manure applied in the study area. Cucumber stands grown in an open 

or unshaded condition and fertilized with 2 t/ha poultry manure produced more numbers of fruits than the ones 

grown in shaded condition. The findings showed the control treatment did not produce neither flowers nor fruits in 

open and shaded conditions. This is an indication that cucumber crops do not thrive in an infertile soil [29] 

irrespective of the environmental conditions in which they are grown. The result collaborates with Ombódi, et al. 

[30] that shading net treatments did not increase yields of sweet peppers. The finding paralleled with Enujeke 

[25] and Chinasa, et al. [31] that cucumber plants that received the highest rate of poultry manure had the highest 

number of leaves, branches, vine length, flowers and fruits. 

There was an obvious significant difference in the weight of cucumber fruits grown with varying rates of 

poultry manure in open and shaded conditions. The findings indicated that the cucumber fruits’ weight was high 

among those grown in an open field than those in shaded condition. Figure 3 is in line with the research report of 

Abu-Zahra and Ateyyat [13] that fruit weight in shaded crops was lower than in an open field condition.  Findings 

equally alien with Azarmi, et al. [19] that cucumber fruit weight and number per crop in the shaded conditions was 

severely decreased by 57% and 69.5% respectively when compared with open filed plant. The reason being that 

shading of cucumber crops result in thinner and larger leaves, elongation of internode, excessive vine length, and 

reduction in number of flowers and fruits, poor fruit formation and fruit weight Azarmi, et al. [19] and Hashem, et 

al. [32]. Researchers like Azarmi, et al. [19] and Tabatabaei, et al. [33] stated that shading decrease 

photosynthesis, levels of carbohydrate, translocation of photoassimilates from vegetative parts to the flower buds 

and fruits. The study also revealed that poultry manure rate of 2ton/ha performed better than control and 4ton/ha 

treatment in both open and shaded conditions which is in agreement with Kabeh, et al. [28]. 

 

5. CONCLUSION 

In this study, open condition played an important role in determining the general performance of cucumber in 

sandy loam soil. Open condition increased the cucumber vegetative growth and yield of individual cucumber plants 

except for the plant vine length. Based on the findings from this research, cultivation of cucumber in an open field 

using 2ton/ha poultry manure which produced the highest number of leaves, branches, stem girth, flowers, fruits 

and fruits weight is recommended to farmers in the study area.  

 



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Funding: This study received no specific financial support.    
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.  
Authors’ Contributions: All authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the study. 

 

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