Impact of Foliar Plus on Physiological Growth Attributes of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in Owerri, Nigeria

Soil applied fertilizers are associated with problems such as leaching, environmental degradation, pathogens, slow nutrient release, etc., which lead to general low performance of crops. Presently, in Owerri, South Eastern Nigeria, the use of some foliar fertilizers like Foliar Plus is fast gaining acceptance as fertilizers in growing crop vegetables such as cucumber, pepper, etc. However, huge knowledge deficit still exists in terms of the actual impact of these organic liquid fertilizers on the physiological growth and yield output of such useful crops. It has become necessary to investigate with Foliar Plus to ascertain its actual impact on certain vegetables. This stirred up the need to embark on this present work. As another quick and environmentally safe means of nutrient supply to crops, the study sought to evaluate the effect of Foliar Plus on the Physiological growth of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in Owerri. Experimental site (76m2) was prepared where cucumber seeds were planted. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with 3 replications. Foliar Plus (FP) was sprayed on the cucumber plant at 1-week interval with different doses (0ml [control], 120ml, 140ml and 160ml) each in 15L of water and coded as 0mlFP/15Lwater, 120mlFP/15Lwater, 140mlFP/15Lwater and 160mlFP/15Lwater respectively. Evaluations of physiological growth were done at different growth stages of development, and at harvest also. With GenStat Discovery (Edition 4), data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the treatment means were separated using Duncan's New Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability.

Result indicated that Foliar Plus impacted significantly (p≤0.05) in some monitored physiological parameters as 120mlFP/15Lwater recorded 25.33 days (lowest) in days to 50% flowering, leaf area (496.62 cm2), crop growth rate (2.38g/m2/day) and specific leaf weight (0.018 g/cm2), whereas 140mlFP/15Lwater obtained the highest values, 0.020 g/cm2 and 11.27g in specific leaf weight and leaf dry weight (6WAP) respectively. Specifically, Foliar Plus, did impart significantly on the crop growth rate (CGR) and specific leaf weight (SLW) of cucumber as 120mlFP/15Lwater and 140mlFP/15Lwater gave the highest value of CGR whereas 0mlFP/15Lwater got the lowest values. The control took the highest number of days both in terms of flowering (28.53 days) and maturity (45 days). However, canopy cover (CC), crop dry weight (CDW), relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area index (LAI), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), leaf weight ratio (LWR) and specific leaf area (SLA) of cucumber plant were not significantly (p≥0.05) affected by Foliar Plus. In general, 120mlFP/15Lwater performed better than other higher treatment levels (doses) in almost all the parameters monitored, whereas 160mlFP/15Lwater unexpectedly performed poorly. The study concluded that with liquid organic foliar feeding/application, vegetable crop productivity can be enhanced through correcting the crop physiological imbalances occasioned by soil nutrient deficiencies. Hence, 120ml of Foliar Plus per 15L of water has been recommended as a more suitable dose for cucumber cultivation in Owerri than other doses of the treatment used in the research.