*4.1.1 Low soil fertility*

*Cucumber Economic Values and Its Cultivation and Breeding*

can also be used for control of cucumber beetles [21].

avoid high loss of moisture due to evapotranspiration.

capacity and Total exchangeable bases.

**3.4 Irrigation**

nematodes in cucumber [20]. *Hyptis suaveolens* and *Centrosema pubsecens* extracts

Supplemental irrigation may be needed from time to time depending on available soil moisture. According to [22], 20% water deficit is recommended for cucumber production. Mulching is also an excellent practise to help conservation of soil water [23]. Under greenhouse conditions, 12.9 L of water is adequate [24]. Different methods used for irrigating cucumber in Nigeria include sprinkler and drip irrigation. Others are use of watering can (small scale production). In most cases, production of cucumber is under rainfed condition. Irrigation during flowering needs to be done with caution to avoid flower abortion. Irrigation in small scale cucumber farming is recommended in the early hours of the day or evening time to

**4. Nigerian soils and their management for cucumber production**

Nigerian soils show great variability in their properties; from the acid sands of sedimentary rock formation to the basement complex soils and coastal plain sands. pH varies from very acidic (<5 to >7). Constraints include sandiness, shallow depth, acidity (top and sub soil), and low fertility among others. Properties of Nigerian soils selected across different agro ecologies of the country are presented in **Table 1**. The soils have high base saturation but relatively low to medium effective cation exchange

Proper management is needed to attain sufficiency in cucumber production. Soil management is the meticulous use of soils through effective and timely combination of factors and practices which can improve soil quality and increase yield. It can be further defined as various activities carried out on the soil to improve and sustain it for optimal productivity in order to enhance food, fibre and timber production. Many agricultural practices affect cucumber producing soils. These include practices such as tillage and planting operations, irrigation, fertiliser application and use of agro chemicals for pest and disease control. Adequate soil management involves the use of soils for purposes for which they are most suited. Requirements for good Soil management includes understanding soil capability for cultivation of various crops, management of problems associated with soils, such as pH, water, fertility and temperature. Problems associated with soil management of Nigerian cucumber soils include inadequate soil survey classification and fertility assessment, lack of communication between land users and government on soil information, absence of conservation practices in farming systems,

**State pH OC Tot.N Av.P Ex. K TEB ECEC BS**

Kano 5.2 9.7 2.4 5.86 0.63 17.61 18.01 99.78 Oyo 5.9 9.4 2.2 9.15 0.14 19.2 19.50 98.46 Imo 4.3 18.3 4.5 1.71 0.11 10.37 15.77 70.21 Kogi 6.1 1.53 0.27 2.84 3.96 13.69 14.25 96.07

**g/kg mg/kg cmol/kg %**

**92**

**Table 1.**

*Properties of some Nigerian soils.*

Due to the inherent low fertility status of many Nigerian soils and poor availability nutrients for plant growth. Cucumber producing soils hardly have sufficient nutrients for plant needs and optimal productivity of crops. Proper soil fertility is necessary as vine length, and other growth parameters affect the eventual crop yield. Therefore, timely and appropriate application of fertiliser is required to improve yield and reduce nutrient mining and soil degradation. Organic or inorganic fertilisers are mainly used for combating soil fertility problem in cucumber production. However, there is strong advocacy for use of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). Although fertilisers have the potentials to increase yield, there is need for caution as high fertiliser rates could also affect fruit quality [26]. Use of organo-mineral fertilisers is highly recommended as they more compatible with the nature of our soils due to their slow release pattern and environmental friendliness considering the high sand content of Nigerian Cucumber producing soils.

Examples of fertilisers used in soil fertility management in cucumber production can be broadly grouped into

