Effects of Poultry Manure, NPK Fertilizer and their Integrated Application on Soil Fertility and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Yield in Awka, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors
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Emmanuel C. Nnabuihe
Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
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Chinelo J. Nwaiwu
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Magnus N. Ibigweh
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Tochukwu V. Nwosu
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Maduabuchi J. Okafor
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Ngozi J. Obiekwe
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Samuel E. Anarah
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Anietie A. Ansa
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Henry O. Okolie
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Gift U. Ugochukwu
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Emilia C. Okafor
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Chike O. Madueke
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Akudo O. Onunwa
Keywords:
Cucumber, integrated nutrient management, poultry manure, soil fertility, humid tropics, sustainable agricultureAbstract
Objective: This study investigated the effects of poultry manure, NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer, and their integrated application on soil physicochemical properties, growth, and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Awka, Southeastern Nigeria, where soil fertility decline limits crop productivity.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted during the 2025 cropping season at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK). The study site is located within a humid tropical agroecological zone characterized by an annual rainfall ranging from 1,800 to 2,500 mm and mean temperatures between 26 and 30 °C. The experimental layout followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), comprising four treatments replicated four times. The treatments comprised: T0 (control), T1 (poultry manure at 10 t ha–1), T2 (poultry manure at 5 t ha–1 combined with NPK 20:10:10 at 150 kg ha–1) and T3 (NPK 20:10:10 at 300 kg ha–1). Soil physicochemical properties, vegetative growth parameters, and yield attributes were evaluated. The trial was conducted over a period of approximately 10 weeks, encompassing the nursery stage through to harvest. Baseline soil analysis indicated low Organic Carbon (OC), Total Nitrogen (TN) and available Phosphorus (P), reflecting poor inherent soil fertility.
Results: Application of soil amendments significantly improved soil pH, organic carbon, nutrient availability and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC) compared with the control (T0). The integrated treatment (T2) produced the most balanced improvement in soil physicochemical properties. Cucumber growth and yield responded positively to enhanced soil fertility, with T2 recording superior vine length, leaf development and fruit yield. Treatment T1 notably improved soil Aggregate Stability (AS), potassium (K+), pH, and OC, whereas T3 enhanced Soil Hydraulic Conductivity (SHC), Available Phosphorus (AP), Bulk Density (BD), calcium (Ca2+), ECEC, TN, and K availability.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that integrating organic and inorganic nutrient sources enhance nutrient synchrony, improve soil quality, and increase cucumber productivity in sandy loam soils. Integrated nutrient management is therefore recommended as a sustainable strategy for cucumber cultivation in Southeastern Nigeria.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Emmanuel C. Nnabuihe, Chinelo J. Nwaiwu, Magnus N. Ibigweh, Tochukwu V. Nwosu, Maduabuchi J. Okafor, Ngozi J. Obiekwe, Samuel E. Anarah, Anietie A. Ansa, Henry O. Okolie, Gift U. Ugochukwu, Emilia C. Okafor, Chike O. Madueke, Akudo O. Onunwa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
