Effects of Irrigation Depth and Interval on Reproductive and Yield Components of Cucumber in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Water scarcity is a challenge to agricultural productivity, especially in tropical regions like Nigeria. This study investigated the effects of different irrigation regimes on the reproductive and yield components of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. The experiment employed a split-plot randomized block design with three deficit irrigation depths: D₁ [100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc)], D₂ (85% ETc), and D₃ (70% ETc) as main plots and three irrigation intervals: I₁ (daily), I₂ (every 2 days), and I₃ (every 3 days) as sub-plots. Irrigation depth had minimal effect on days to first flowering, but three-day intervals significantly delayed flowering to 29 days. Moderate deficit irrigation (D₂) produced longer fruits (13.96 cm) compared to full irrigation (D1), while daily irrigation (I₁) resulted in significantly longer fruits (14.17 cm) than longer intervals. Unexpectedly, deficit irrigation (D₃) produced fruits with larger diameter (44.50 mm) compared to full irrigation (43.08 mm). Although not statistically significant, full irrigation (D₁) achieved the highest yield (8,738.79 kg/ha). The interaction between irrigation depth and interval revealed that treatment D₁ x I₁ (100% ETc with daily irrigation) produced the highest yield (9,774.54 kg/ha) and earliest flowering (26.92 days), while D₂ x I₃ resulted in the lowest yield (6,812.01 kg/ha). These results offer critical guidance for optimizing water use in cucumber farming, balancing fruit quality and yield in water-scarce environments.