Influence of Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid on Growth and Fruit Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L)

The present study determined the effect of foliar application rate of salicylic acid on growth and fruit yield of cucumber varieties with the aim of evaluating the effect of foliar application rate of salicylic acid on growth and fruit yield of cucumber varieties. The study was conducted at Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Teaching and Research Farm between April and May, 2022. The experimental design was 2 x 3 factorial arrangements. The treatments consist of two cucumber varieties: Seminis and Olive Bold with three levels of salicylic acid (0, 50 and 100 ppm) application. Seeds of cucumber were sowed at 2 seeds per hole at 50 cm apart of intra and inter rows. Salicylic acid at 0 ppm, 50 ppm and 100 ppm were applied to the plant foliage at 3 and 5 weeks after sowing (WAS). Data were collected on growth parameters, number of fruit, fruit length, diameter and yield. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using statistical analysis system (SAS, 2003) version 9.1 while means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference at 0.01 and 0.05 probability.

The results showed that foliar application rate of salicylic acid at 100 ppm resulted in longest (P < 0.05) vine length (109.27 cm), tendril length (18.50 cm), cucumber yield (9.89 kg/ha) and number of leaf (14.34) compared with 50 ppm and 0 ppm (control). The control gave the poorest cucumber yield (6.23 kg/ha). The study concluded that foliar application of salicylic acid could be used to achieve effective growth and better fruit yield of cucumber.