Appraisal of eco-friendly fertilizers to supplement organic compost in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L)

Introduction

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae and is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is believed to have originated in South Asia, particularly in India, and has been cultivated for over 3,000 years (1). Cucumber is an important salad crop valued for its nutritional content, refreshing taste, and high-water content. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and plays a significant role in human nutrition (2). Globally, cucumber is cultivated over a large area with substantial production, contributing significantly to the vegetable industry (3). In India, major cucumber-growing states include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh, where it is cultivated both in open field and protected conditions (4). Globally, cucumber cultivation occupies approximately 2.2-2.3 million hectares, with a relatively stable harvested area in recent years. The total global production reached about 97-98 million tonnes during 2023-2024, indicating the crop's significant contribution to the vegetable sector (5). In India, cucumber is cultivated over an estimated area of about 117 thousand hectares with a production of approximately 1,631 thousand tonnes, resulting in an average productivity of 13.94 t ha⁻¹ (6). In Chhattisgarh, agriculture is influenced by diverse agro-climatic conditions, and the state is divided into three major zones, namely Chhattisgarh Plains, Bastar Plateau, and Northern Hills, covering about 50%, 29%, and 21% of the geographical area, respectively (7). In the Bastar Plateau agro-climatic zone of Chhattisgarh, cucumber cultivation is predominantly concentrated in regions such as Jagdalpur, Bakawand, and Kondagaon, where favorable soil and climatic conditions support its growth and productivity (8).

Materials and Methods

The study involved evaluating 10 treatments in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Each experimental plot measured 13.5 m², with a plant spacing of 1.5 m × 0.9 m. The field experiment was conducted at the Instructional cum Research Farm of K.D. College of Horticulture and Research Station, Jagdalpur, during the rabi season of 2025-26.

Experimental materials

The experimental materials consisted of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under different combinations of organic composts and biofertilizers. The treatments included farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost in combination with biofertilizers such as Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). The experiment comprised 10 treatment combinations laid out to evaluate their effect on growth, yield, quality parameters of cucumber. The field experiment was conducted under the favourable agro-climatic conditions of the Bastar Plateau at the Instructional cum Research Farm of K.D. College of Horticulture and Research Station, Jagdalpur. The crop was grown during the rabi season of 2025-26, with transplanting carried out in November and the experiment completed by early-February. The prevailing climatic conditions of the region provided a suitable environment for assessing the performance of different eco-friendly nutrient management practices. A detailed description of treatments is presented in table 1.

Morphological characterization

The cucumber crop was morphologically characterized based on standard descriptors and observations recorded at different growth stages. The vegetative parameters were recorded at 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT), while flowering, yield, and quality parameters were recorded at appropriate stages and at final harvest. The parameters recorded are as follows:

Growth characters: Vine length, number of branches (at final harvest), leaf area, day to first anthesis. Yield characters: Number of fruits per vine, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter Quality characters: Total soluble solids (TSS) and moisture content (%).

Results and Discussion

Morphological characterization involves the use of standardized observations to systematically describe and evaluate the growth, yield, and quality traits of crop plants under different treatment conditions, thereby facilitating comparison and interpretation of experimental results. In the present investigation, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was evaluated under 10 treatment combinations of eco-friendly fertilizers along with organic compost. The study comprised a comprehensive set of morphological and agronomic traits, including plant growth attributes (Vine length, number of branches (at final harvest), leaf area, day to first anthesis), yield attributes (number of fruits per vine, fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter), as well as quality parameters such as total soluble solids (TSS) and moisture content (%).

Variation in growth characters

The results shown that the application of different treatment recorded the maximum vine length, number of branches, leaf area in treatment T 10 [FYM (2 kgm -2 ) + Vermicompost (0.6 kgm -2 ) +Azospirillum + Azotobacter +PSB] and minimum days taken for first anthesis were recorded for treatment T 1 [Control] (shown in table 2). Present results are in conformity with the findings of Dawer et al., (2019) [5] in cucumber, they concluded that maximum vine length (290.92 cm, 415.28 cm and 553.32 cm) at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and 90 DAS, respectively, were recorded under application of inorganic fertilizers.

Variation in yield characters

The results shown that the application of treatment T 10 [FYM (2 kgm -2 ) + Vermicompost (0.6 kgm -2 ) +Azospirillum + Azotobacter +PSB] recorded the maximum fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm), fruit volume (cc), fruit diameter (mm), yield per vine (kg), yield per square meter (kg) and number of fruits per vine (table 3). Findings of Dash et al. (2018) [4] was also in conformity as they reported greatest impact on fruit weight in cucumber with the application of treatment per ha [half recommended NPK + 10 tonns of FYM + 2 tons of Vermicompost + Bio-fertilizer (4.0 kg Azotobacter + 4.0 kg PSB)]. Similar findings were also reported by Anjanappa et al., (2012) [1] while working with cucumber, they observed that application of biofertilizers along with organic and inorganic inputs under protected conditions in cucumber (cv. Hassan Local) during two years of experimentation, resulted highest fruit yield per vine (2.47 kg and 2.55 kg) and total fruit yield per hectare (17.60 t/ha and 18.22 t/ha) during when 75% RDF + 75% FYM + Azotobactor + Phosophobacteria + Trichoderma.

Variation in quality characters

The results shown that highest value of TSS was recorded from treatment T 10 [FYM (2 kgm -2 ) + Vermicompost (0.6 kgm -2 ) +Azospirillum + Azotobacter +PSB] shown in table 4, which may be due to the better supply of nutrients in the form of organic manures. Singh et al. (2017) [18] in cucumber also claimed maximum TSS (4.10 0Brix) from application of treatment having FYM 25% + poultry manure 25% + vermicompost 25% + NPK 25%, highest total soluble solids (4.11 0Brix) were also seen by Mohan et al. (2016) [12] while working with cucumber under polyhouse condition by applying organic and inorganic fertilizers along with biofertilizers. The results revealed that the moisture content of fruit was found non-significant, although maximum moisture content of fruit was recorded with treatment T 10 [FYM (2 kgm -2 ) + Vermicompost (0.6 kgm -2 ) +Azospirillum + Azotobacter +PSB], Anjanappa et al. (2012) [1] also reported non-significant effect of integrated nutrient on moisture content in cucumber under protected condition. Similarly, chlorophyll content of leaf and fruit skin were also found non-significant, although it was maximum for treatment T 10 [FYM (2 kgm -2 ) + Vermicompost (0.6 kgm -2 ) +Azospirillum + Azotobacter +PSB], Mohammed (2017) also observed non-significant effects of various treatments on chlorophyll content of leaves.

Novelty Statement

The present investigation focuses on the appraisal of ecofriendly fertilizers in cucumber cultivation to supplement organic compost under Bastar Plateau conditions. The study evaluates the combined effect of organic composts and biofertilizers on growth, yield, quality, which has received limited attention under the agro-climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh. The integration of farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and biofertilizers such as Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) provides a sustainable approach to nutrient management. The findings of this study will help in identifying effective eco-friendly fertilizer combinations for enhancing productivity and improving soil health, and may serve as a basis for developing sustainable nutrient management practices in cucumber cultivation.

References

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