Soil Physiochemical Properties and Cucumber Productivity Assessment under Organic Fertilization

Soil Physiochemical Properties and Cucumber Productivity Assessment under Organic Fertilization | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Soil Physiochemical Properties and Cucumber Productivity Assessment under Organic Fertilization David Tavi Agbor, Leonel Enow Egbe, Agborante Agbor Tambe, Desmond Kwayela Sama, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3759317/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Feb, 2025 Read the published version in Organic Agriculture → Version 1 posted 7 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Given the global increase in cucumber production due to its nutritional quality, high health risks are associated with cucumber consumption due to contamination by phytotoxic heavy metals resulting from synthetic fertilizers. Thus, producing contaminants-free cucumber fruits warrants the employment of eco-friendly fertilizers sources. This study, conducted in Kumba, Cameroon, explores the impact of organic manures; poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husks, on organic cucumber cultivation and their effects on soil properties. The experiment, spanning the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons, employed a three-repeated randomized complete block design with four treatments: control, poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husks. Results indicated a significant enhancement (P = .05) in soil fertility attributed to increased OC, OM, exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, Ntot, and Pavail, with poultry droppings exhibiting the most substantial impact. This improvement in soil quality translated into notable growth parameters for cucumbers. Poultry droppings resulted in the highest vine length (168 cm), leaf number (25), and branch number (12), while the control exhibited the lowest values. Cucumber yield significantly increased with poultry droppings leading (11.3 t/ha) and the control trailing (5.5 t/ha). Cucumber fruit length was influenced by the treatments, with the longest in poultry droppings (20 cm) and the shortest in the control (12 cm). Strong correlations were observed between cucumber yield and total nitrogen (r = 0.98995), available phosphorus (r = 0.99393), and potassium (r = 0.84688). Overall, the incorporation of organic manures, particularly poultry droppings, enhanced soil fertility, and boosted cucumber production. Soil fertility yield vegetative growth mineral nutrients manure Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 1. Introduction Cucumber global production has dramatically increased in recent years. This is due to cucumbers' tremendous nutritional role in the human diet (Kaushik et al., 2015 ; Abbey et al., 2017 ). Cucumber is loaded with vitamin C, phosphorus, thiamine, and iron and serves as a quick source of income for its farmers due to cucumber's short maturity duration (Abbey et al., 2017 ). This elevated cucumber production is attributed to the faster nutrient release of synthetic fertilizers and protection from pests with synthetic pesticides (Ngosong et al., 2018 ; Agbor et al., 2022a ). Nonetheless, the accumulation of toxic chemicals and heavy metals in cucumber from synthetic agrochemicals such as Mancozeb a coper-base fungicide and rock phosphate that has some traces of cadmium is very high, especially around the cucumber periphery (Alengebawy et al., 2021 ). This is a significant problem as most cucumbers are harvested, washed, and eaten fresh or in salads leading to deleterious human health effects. Also, synthetic chemicals lead to soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, negatively affect pH, leaching causing eutrophication, and demise of beneficial insects, and they are expensive for local farmers to afford (Chandini et al., 2019 ; Koli et al., 2019 ; Galani et al., 2020 ; Agbor et al ., 2022b). This melancholic problem warrants using holistic cucumber production inputs in the likes of organic manures and cheap pesticides (Adesemove, 2017; Hunter et al., 2017 ; Bayu, 2020 ). Poultry manure, compost, goat dung, cow dung, green manure, cocoa husks, rabbit droppings, and botanicals are soil and crop protection amendments employed for sustainable crop production (Campos Filho et al., 2017 ; Asfaw, 2022 ). The richest known organic manure, poultry dropping, is cheap and known for enhancing soil physicochemical conditions for crop production and is eco-friendly (Hoover et al., 2019 ; Dang et al., 2021 ). Cow dung, on the one hand, provides essential plant nutrients and is efficient in fungi and bacterial disease reduction as it is effective in limiting plant pathogenic fungi like Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum mycelial growth (Ozlu et al., 2019 ; Dang et al., 2021 ). Cocoa pod husk obtained after cocoa beans processing is a rich source of macro and micronutrients and modulates soil pH status, but it is often abandoned as waste (Fidelis and Rajashekhar Rao, 2018; Hougni et al., 2021 ). In general, organic manures are recognized for their ability to increase soil qualities including soil structure, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and water holding capacity, as well as for slowing down the release of nutrients across the crop production cycle and activating microbial biomass. and reduces harmful levels by binding heavy metals to impede their uptake by plants. (Najafi-Ghiri et al ., 2017). Despite the role of poultry manure, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk being known in crop production, no study has examined their comparative effect on the organic production of cucumber and their implication on soil physicochemical properties. Therefore, we aim to explore the analogous aftermath of poultry manure, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk in organic cucumber production and the ramification of Poultry manure, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk on soil physicochemical properties in Kumba Cameroon. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Description of the study area This field study was carried out at Barombi-Kang in Kumba III municipality. Kumba III municipality is located in Agro-ecological zone IV, Meme Division-South West Region of Cameroon, between latitude 03 o 24‘N and longitude 09 o 10‘E of the equator (Njikam and Alhadji, 2017 ). The ananual average rainfall in the study area is about 2500 mm. It has a mono-modal rainfall pattern with peaks in July and September and the dry season generally extends from October to March. Temperatures show variations throughout the year, with an average temperature of 25 ℃ and relative humidity ranging from 70–84%. Sandy clay soils characterize the area. (Kimengsi and Tosam, 2013 ). 2.2. Treatments and experimental design The experimental field size of 100 m 2 was cleared using a cutlass, and the debris was raked. Twelve plots of 1.5 m X 3.2 m, that is, 4.8 m2, were demarcated and raised to 30 cm ridges using a hoe. The spacing between the plots was 0.5 m, while between replicates was 1 m. Planting spots at 75 cm by 75 cm were marked on the plots giving 3 inter-row and 5 intra-row stands to 15 stands per plot (Fig. 1 a & b). The research was set up in a randomized complete block pattern with four treatments, each reproduced three times. Table 1 Treatments Treatment codes Treatment full name T0 Control T1 1.12kg/plant Poultry Manure T2 1.69kg/plant Cow Dung T3 2.0kg/plant Cocoa Husk Treatments comprised different rates and types of organic manures (Table 1 ). The rate of poultry manure of 20t/ha applied was based on studies conducted by Khan et al. ( 2017 ) and that for cow dung 30t/ha was based on studies carried out by Shafiee Zargar ( 1996 ). No literature was found on the application rate for cocoa husk. All treatments were applied two weeks before transplanting. 2.2.1. Seed sowing Cucumber seeds of cultivar- Poinsett-76 cucumber ™ . The cultivar is characterized by a 70-day cycle, dark green, straight, and non-bitter fruits with diameters ranging from 5.08 to 6.35 cm and lengths ranging from 17.78 to 20.32cm. The seeds were sown at three seeds per stand rate at a depth of 2 cm and a 75 cm X 75 cm spacing (on the spot where the manures had been incorporated). The seedbeds were watered immediately after sowing. Two weeks after sowing, thinning to two seedlings plants per stand was done. 2.2.2. Site maintenance and cucumber cultural practices Weed management and irrigation Hand weeding was done weekly using a hoe. The plants were watered morning and evening a day, during dry periods of no rain. Pests and disease management Insect pests and diseases were controlled using a combination of garlic and Piper botanicals prepared according to Tanyi et al. 2017 and Agbor et al. 2022a . The garlic and Piper botanicals were sprayed before seeding and continued weekly to keep pests and diseases in check. Training cucumber vines on support Cucumber vines were trained on a 2 m support stake placed at the center of each plot with ropes tied on 30 cm tall stakes hammed into the ground at 15 cm away from the cucumber rhizosphere. Tendrils gripped the ropes, and vines climbed upward to the central 2 m state. This was done two weeks after seeding. 2.3. Data collection Randomly selected Five plants were tagged for data collection per plot. 2.3.1. Growth data Data on growth were collected 2 weeks after seeding and continued weekly for 1 month. Growth data included length of vine, leaf number, and branch number. 2.3.2. Yield data Fruit length (in centimeters), fruit girth (in centimeters), and fresh fruit weight (kg)/treatment were used to calculate the yield of cucumber. This was done twice, on the 42nd and 46th days after sowing. 2.3.3. Soil and organic manure analysis At the experimental site, augers were used to collect pre- and post-soil samples at random from a depth of 0 to 15 cm. Four samples were collected and bulked for the pre-soil analysis to form a composite sample. A 2 mm sieve was used to sieve the soil sample after it had been air dried.. Organic manures (poultry droppings, cow dung, cocoa husk) were collected and air dried. For the post-soil analysis, soils were collected per replicate per treatment from the field and air-dried. Both soil and the organic manure samples were sent for analysed at the Soil Science laboratory of the University of Dschang. The particle size of the soil done by utilizing the pipette method and sodium hexametaphosphate as the dispersion agent (Kalra et al. , 1991). The potentiometric method was used for soil pH in both water (H 2 O) and 1M Potassium chloride (KCl) solutions after twenty-four (24) hours in suspension (solid/liquid = 1/2.5 w/v). A neutral solution of ammonium acetate was used to extract exchangeable bases. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to determine the amounts of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), whereas flame photometry was used to determine potassium (K) and sodium (Na) (Jones, 2017 ). By using the KCL extraction procedure, exchangeable acidity was produced (Jones, 2017 ). The available Phosphorus (P) is obtained by the Bray II method, whereas the total Nitrogen (N) is acquired by the macrokjeldahl digestion method (Bremner and Mulvaney, 1982 ; Buresh et al., 1982 ; Jones, 2017 ). Meanwhile, the Walkey-Black method is used to determine the amount of organic carbon in the soil (Mylavarapu et al ., 2014). 2.4. Analysis of data To investigate the effects of treatments as categorical seeress, one-way analysis of variance of physicochemical properties of soil, growth, and yield parameters was performed using SPSS version 26 at P = 0.05. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to distinguish means that were significantly different, with a P value of 0.05. To determine the strength of the relationship between the independent variable soil chemical characteristics and the yield dependent variable, Pearson correlation was used. 3. Results 3.1. Pre and post-soil physicochemical and organic manure properties The pre-soil analysis showed the physicochemical properties of the study area (Table 2 ), while Table 3 presents the nutrient content in the organic manures used for this study. The result showed that poultry dropping is richer in nutrient content when compared to cow dung and cocoa pod husk (Table 3 ). After applying organic manures, the post-soil analysis revealed a significant ( P = .05) increase in soil physicochemical properties (Table 4 ). OC increased by 39%, OM 16.8%, exchangeable Ca 25%, K 71%, Mg 27%, N tot 11.6% and P avail 9.8% for poultry dropping treatment (Table 4 ). Cow dung and cocoa pod husk also evinced positive effects on the physicochemical properties of the soil (Table 4 ). Table 2 Pre-soil physicochemical properties Soil properties Soil test values Texture (%) Sand 38 Silt 9 Clay 53 Textural class Sandy clay Soil pH pH H 2 O 5.68 pH 5.52 Humidity (%) 8 Dry matter (DM) 92 Organic matter Organic carbon (%) 2.19 Organic matter (%) 3.85 Total nitrogen (g/kg) 2 C/N 11 Exchangeable cations (meq/100g) Calcium 6.12 Magnesium 1.98 Potassium 0.87 Sodium 0.34 Sum of bases 9.39 Cation exchange capacity (meg/100%) CEC pH 7 15.4 Base saturation 95.7 Available phosphorus Bray II (mg/kg) 18.9 Table 3 properties of organic manures Manure properties Poultry droppings Cow dung Cocoa pod husk Total nitrogen (kg/t) DM 26 16.3 13.6 Phosphorus (P 2 O 5 ) (kg/t) DM 25 3.2 3.2 Potassium (K 2 O) (kg/t) DM 18 8.6 15 Calcium oxide (CaO) (kg/t) DM 36 8.2 16 Magnesium oxide (MgO) (kg/t) DM 5 2.7 2.5 pH (H 2 O) 8 7.9 5.6 Organic matter (kg/t) DM 127 180 134 DM in percentage (kg/t) DM 70 255 409 Table 4 Post-soil physicochemical properties Parameters Treatments Control Poultry droppings Cow dung Cocoa pod husk Soil texture Sandy clay Sandy clay Sandy clay Sandy clay pH (H 2 O) 5.6 ± 0.0 b 6.0 ± 0.0 a 5.6 ± 0.0 b 6.0 ± 0.0 a pH (KCl) 5.5 ± 0.0 a 5.6 ± 0.0 a 5.6 ± 0.0 a 5.6 ± 0.0 a Humidity (%) 8.2 ± 0.1 c 10.0 ± 0.1 a 9.2 ± 0.1 b 8.5 ± 0.1 c Dry matter 92.3 ± 0.1 d 137.7 ± 1.1 c 209.3 ± 1.1 b 410.3 ± 1.1 a Organic carbon (%) 2.1 ± 0.1 d 5.0 ± 0.1 a 3.5 ± 0.1 b 3.0 ± 0.1 c Organic matter (%) 2.5 ± 0.1 d 5.4 ± 0.1 a 3.7 ± 0.1 b 3.2 ± 0.1 c Total nitrogen (N tot ) (%) 1.0 ± 0.0 d 2.5 ± 0.0 a 1.8 ± 0.0 b 1.5 ± 0.1 c C/N ratio 14 ± 1 a 9 ± 1 b 10 ± 1 b 11 ± 1 b Exchangeable bases (meq/100g) Calcium 1.6 ± 0.3 d 10.3 ± 0.3 a 5.3 ± 0.3 b 2.5 ± 0.3 c Magnesium 1.3 ± 0.1 d 3.5 ± 0.1 a 2.8 ± 0.1 b 2.3 ± 0.1 c Potassium 0.9 ± 0.2 c 5.2 ± 0.2 a 1.6 ± 0.2 c 3.4 ± 0.2 b Sodium 0.3 ± 0.1 d 2.5 ± 0.1 a 1.2 ± 0.1 c 1.4 ± 0.1 b Cation exchange capacity (meg/100%) CEC (pH 7) 14.5 ± 0.1 d 16.2 ± 0.1 a 15.6 ± 0.1 b 14.9 ± 0.1 c Available Phosphorus (P avail ) (mg/kg) 14 ± 1 c 23 ± 1 a 21 ± 1 ab 19 ± 1 b Different letters on values within a row are significantly different P = .05. 3.2. Response of cucumber growth parameters to soil organic amendments Soil addition of various organic fertilizers significantly ( P = .05) affected the vegetative growth parameters of cucumber. Amendment of soil with poultry droppings evinced the longest vine length (168.3 cm), followed by cow dung (155.9 cm) and cocoa pod husk (116.3 cm), while the shortest vine length was seen in the control (90 cm). Enhancement of soil with poultry droppings witnessed the highest number of leaves (31), second by cow dung (25), then cocoa pod husk (17) with the lowest in control (13). More branches were observed in poultry dropping treatment (12), and fewer branches were experienced in control (3) (Table 5 ). Table 5 Response of cucumber growth parameters to soil organic amendments Treatment Vine length (cm) Number of leaves Number of branches Control 90.0 ± 2.5 d 13 ± 1 d 3 ± 0 d Poultry droppings 168.3 ± 2.5 a 31 ± 1 a 12 ± 0 a Cow dung 155.9 ± 2.5 b 25 ± 1 b 10 ± 0 b Cocoa pod husk 116.3 ± 2.5 c 17 ± 1 c 7 ± 0 c Different letters on values within a column are significantly different P = .05. 3.3. Response of cucumber yield parameters to soil organic amendments The incorporation of soil with organic manures significantly ( P = .05) affected cucumber fruit yield. Soil amelioration with poultry droppings displayed more cucumber yield (11.3 kg/ha), which is 34.5% more than the control (5.5 kg/ha) without any organic amendment. Cow dung (8.3 t/ha) and cocoa pod husk (7.3 t/ha) only came second and third after poultry droppings (Fig. 2 ). Similarly, cucumber fruit length response differed significantly ( P = .05) among the various treatments. The greatest fruit length was evinced in the poultry dropping (20 cm) treatment, followed by cow dung (18 cm) and cocoa pod husk (14.7 cm), while the control had the shortest length (12.3 cm) (Fig. 3 ). 3.4 Correlation of cucumber yield with some selected soil chemical properties of total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium A strong positive association (r = 0.98995) existed between the yield of cucumber and total nitrogen, similar strength of strong positive association (r = 0.99393) was seen between yield of cucumber and phosphorus as well as a strong positive relation (r = 0.84688) was observed between yield of cucumber and potassium Fig. 4 , suggesting that yield increases as soil chemical nutrients increases. 4. Discussions 4.1. Treatments’ effect on physicochemical properties of soil The soil physicochemical properties showed a significant increase in this study which is a reflection of the application of organic manures of poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk (Dang et al., 2021 ; Hougni et al., 2021 ). Kumba, Cameroon, is dominated mainly by sandy soils with a fragile structure, little capacity for retaining water, high permeability, and sensitivity (Huang and Hartemink, 2020 ); thus, soil amendment with organic manures is imperative for enhanced soil fertility and crop production (Ngosong et al., 2020 ). The observed increase in pH highlights the fact that organic manures serve as buffers to soil pH, an increase in OC, OM, exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, N tot , and P avail was also experienced in this study resulting from the application of organic manures which is consistent with other works (Adebayo et al., 2017 ; Mokgolo et al., 2019 ). The high mineral nutrient content in the organic treatments comes from the rich nature of the organic manures and may be coupled with the fixation and subilisation activity of beneficial soil organisms further enhanced by the organic manures that are eco-friendly, providing energy for their activities and growth (Yahyaabadi et al., 2018 ; Zhang et al ., 2016). This result is consistent with the study's premise showcasing the importance of organic manures in soil fertility and crop improvement in Kumba Cameroon. 4.2. Treatments’ effect on vegetative growth of cucumber The pursuance showed an increase in the cucumber vegetative growth parameters after applying organic manures, significantly surpassing the control treatment (Yunilasari et al., 2020; Hougni et al., 2021 ; Zhao et al., 2021 ; Nkongho et al., 2022a ). Though the performance of cucumber was significant across all organic treatments, poultry dropping demonstrated superiority while cow dung came second and cocoa pod husk was last, which conforms with the nutrient contents of the various organic manures (Yunilasari et al ., 2020; Zhao et al., 2021 ). Poultry dropping had a more significant effect on cucumber vegetative growth parameters due to its high nutrient content, which is in line with other studies (Adekiya et al., 2020 ; Alaboz et al., 2022 ). The low growth experienced in control shows the porous nature of the sandy soil, which rarely holds nutrients in uptake form by crops (Nkongho et al., 2022b ). This is compounded by the acidic nature of the soils, with nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, to name a few becoming unavailable. Also, Kumba, Cameroon, has a hot climate that adversely affects soil productivity (Huang and Hartemink, 2020 ; Dang et al., 2022 ; Zhao et al., 2021 ). This is contrary to the soil augmented with organic manure, which is consistent with this study's hypothesis. 4.3. Treatments’ effect on yield of cucumber The enhanced cucumber fruit yield in soils with organic manure amendment with the highest in poultry droppings supports this study's premise and is in line with other research studies (Ngosong et al., 2018 ; Adekiya et al., 2020 ; Dang et al., 2021 ). The slow nutrient-releasing nature of poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk has worked perfectly well for the cucumber plants resulting in higher yields than the control. Yield of cucumber fruits increased which is in line with the increase in vegetative growth parameters, as cucumber is heavily dependent on its vegetative parameters for optimal production. Thus the resulting increase in fruit length across organic soil amendments further strengthens their value in increasing soil fertility emanating to better crop yields. Akosah et al. ( 2021 ) showed a reduction in fruit drop and improved yield of sweet orange fruits when organic manures are used. The pursuance of this study agrees with Timsina ( 2018 ), reporting that the decaying process of organic manures releases nutrients that enhance the yield of crops, while Eissa ( 2016 ), Yunilasari et al . (2020), and Adebayo et al . (2019), had similar reports. 5. Conclusion Incorporating organic manures into the soil significantly improved the soil physicochemical properties and cucumber yield in Kumba Cameroon. Exploration of the various organic manures indicates that poultry droppings were dominant in soil improvement and crop yield conforming to literature, followed by cow dung and cocoa pod husk. Nevertheless, all the organic soil amendments have demonstrated importance in cucumber production, as shown by the pursuance of this study. The premise of this study was achieved, and we recommend using organic manures of poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk in the sandy soils of Kumba for crop production. Declarations Acknowledgments We appreciate the Ministry of Higher Education of Cameroon, and the Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College Kumba, University of Buea, Cameroon, for the training and skills gained. We are grateful to friends who assisted during data collection. Authors Contribution This work was done in close association among all authors. Author D.T.A performed statistics and literature searches, and wrote the first manuscript draft. L.E.E designed the study, prepared organic input, processed data, performed literature. Authors A.A.T, B.C.L and D.K.S established and managed the field trial and organic input, collected data, and performed literature searches. Author P.T.T and P.M.M coordinated field site and manuscript preparation and performed literature searches. 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Methods manual for forest soil and plant analysis, Northwest Region. Information Report NOR-X3 19. Kaushik U, Aeri V, & Mir S R. 2015. Cucurbitacins–an insight into medicinal leads from nature. Pharmacognosy reviews , 9(17), 12. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.156314. Koli P, Bhardwaj N R, & Mahawer S K. 2019. Agrochemicals: harmful and beneficial effects of climate changing scenarios. In Climate change and agricultural ecosystems . Woodhead Publishing, pp. 65-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816483-9.00004-9 Mokgolo M J, Mzezewa J, & Odhiambo J J. 2019. Poultry and cattle manure effects on sunflower performance, grain yield and selected soil properties in Limpopo Province, South Africa. South African Journal of Science , 115(11-12), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2019/6410 Najafi-Ghiri M, Niksirat S H, Soleimanpour L, & Nowzari S. 2018. Comparison of different organic amendments on potassium release from two fine-textured soils. Organic Agriculture , 8(2), 129-140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-017-0179-5. Ngosong C, karawa Nfor I, Tanyi C B, Olougou M N E, Nanganoa L T, & Tening A S. 2020. Effect of poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer on earthworms and soil fertility: Implication on root nodulation and yield of climbing bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ). Fundamental and Applied Agriculture , 5(1), 88-98. DOI: 10.5455/faa.76612 Ngosong C, Nkiambuo B N, Tanyi C B, Nkongho R N, Okolle J N, Egbe A E, & Tening A S. 2018. Comparative study of soil and foliar NPK fertilizers on the yield and income of cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.). Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research, 1-9. DOI: 10.9734/AJAAR/2018/45721. Njikam, O., & Alhadji, H. A. (2017). Technical efficiency among smallholder rice farmers: a comparative analysis of three agro‐ecological zones in Cameroon. African Development Review, 29(1), 28-43. Nkongho R N, Efouba-Mbong J T, Ndam L M, Ketchem G A, Etchu-Takang E G, & Agbor D T. 2022a. Seed production system and adaptability of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cultivars in Buea, Cameroon. PLOS ONE , 17(12), e0278771. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278771. Nkongho R N, Ndam L M, Akoneh N N, Tongwa Q M, Njilar R M, Agbor D T, ... & Ngone A M. 2022b. Vegetative propagation of F1 tomato hybrid ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) using different rooting media and stem-nodal cuttings. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research , 100470. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4224470. Ozlu E, Sandhu S S, Kumar S, & Arriaga F J. 2019. Soil health indicators impacted by long-term cattle manure and inorganic fertilizer application in a corn-soybean rotation of South Dakota. Scientific reports , 9(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48207-z. Shafiee Zargar A. 1996. Study on quantitative and qualitative of cucumber under the effect of organic and mineral fertilizer in autumnplanting. Sikora F J, & Moore K P. 2014. Soil test methods from the southeastern United States. Southern cooperative series bulletin , 419, 54-58. Tanyi C B, Ngosong C, & Ntonifor N N. 2017. Comparative effects of Piper guineense emulsion and cabbage-tomato intercropping for controlling cabbage pests and improving performance. Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International , 13, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.9734/JAERI/2017/38815 Timsina J. 2018. Can organic sources of nutrients increase crop yields to meet global food demand?. Agronomy , 8(10), 214. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy8100214 Yahyaabadi M, Hamidian A H, & Ashrafi S. 2018. Dynamics of earthworm species at different depths of orchard soil receiving organic or chemical fertilizer amendments. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science , 7(4), 318-325. DOI: 10.18393/ejss.454506. Yunilasari M. 2020. Effects of biochar and cow manure on soil chemical properties and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yields in entisol. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 425 (1), 012014. IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/425/1/012014 Zhang Y, Wang L, Li W, Xu H, Shi Y, Sun Y, ... & Li Y. 2017. Earthworms and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria enhance carbon accumulation in manure-amended soils. Journal of Soils and Sediments , 17(1), 220-228. DOI: 10.1007/s11368-016-1482-6. Zhao Y, Chen Y, Dai H, Cui J, Wang L, & Sui P. 2021. Effects of organic amendments on the improvement of soil nutrients and crop yield in sandy soils during a 4-year field experiment in Huang-Huai-Hai plain, northern China. Agronomy , 11(1), 157. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010157 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Feb, 2025 Read the published version in Organic Agriculture → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 10 Apr, 2024 Reviews received at journal 27 Jan, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Jan, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 14 Jan, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 03 Jan, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 03 Jan, 2024 First submitted to journal 15 Dec, 2023 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3759317","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":265008171,"identity":"7507aff6-4d99-431a-9e5f-fe386367e7ee","order_by":0,"name":"David Tavi Agbor","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA6klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACHiBmA6Hkgw9AXD4StKQlG4C4bERrYWDIMZNggLHxAf7+tQcfV5TZJfax55hVfs2xk2FjYH746AYeLRI33iUbnjmXnNjG86zstuy2ZKDD2IyNc/BZc+OMmWRjG7Mxm0TyttuS25iBWnjYpPFpkYdoqQdqSTArltxWT1iLwfkekJbDcmwSKWaMH7cdJqzF8AZfsmHDueNybDzPkqUZtx3nYWMm4Be582cPPmwoq+aRb08++PHntmp7fvbmh4/xel8iAcFm5gGT+JSDAP8BBJvxByHVo2AUjIJRMCIBAHFwRIH3vX7oAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College Kumba, University of Buea","correspondingAuthor":true,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"David","middleName":"Tavi","lastName":"Agbor","suffix":""},{"id":265008172,"identity":"16c698c8-c44e-40fd-8701-09cd49c71c68","order_by":1,"name":"Leonel Enow Egbe","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College Kumba, University of Buea","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Leonel","middleName":"Enow","lastName":"Egbe","suffix":""},{"id":265008173,"identity":"b1a528be-e71b-494a-aadf-d31e52b7bf11","order_by":2,"name":"Agborante Agbor Tambe","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College Kumba, University of Buea","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Agborante","middleName":"Agbor","lastName":"Tambe","suffix":""},{"id":265008174,"identity":"07209142-e026-4ca8-9cc2-e4fc6b99a5df","order_by":3,"name":"Desmond Kwayela Sama","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College Kumba, University of Buea","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Desmond","middleName":"Kwayela","lastName":"Sama","suffix":""},{"id":265008175,"identity":"97ac67e2-637a-463b-bc01-8a4d3a278574","order_by":4,"name":"Bezua Collins Lekelefeh","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College Kumba, University of Buea","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Bezua","middleName":"Collins","lastName":"Lekelefeh","suffix":""},{"id":265008176,"identity":"96b18b7c-b175-433c-8952-7947e6b644f3","order_by":5,"name":"Pascal Tabi Tabot","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College Kumba, University of Buea","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Pascal","middleName":"Tabi","lastName":"Tabot","suffix":""},{"id":265008177,"identity":"7df4b960-5af2-4897-b113-2037c3d135af","order_by":6,"name":"Priscilla Mebong Mfombep","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College Kumba, University of Buea","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Priscilla","middleName":"Mebong","lastName":"Mfombep","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-12-15 14:59:22","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3759317/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3759317/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-025-00488-7","type":"published","date":"2025-02-27T15:58:21+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":49203208,"identity":"f5a6431f-4e49-4de4-861b-352c4635fc88","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-05 06:10:32","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":305105,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ea \u0026amp; b: Randomize complete block design with four treatments and three replicates\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3759317/v1/e9f6a14ebd6cc03367ecf040.png"},{"id":49203207,"identity":"cdcdb59b-f618-43cc-bfd0-79ef325cac84","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-05 06:10:32","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":21021,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eResponse of cucumber fruit yield to soil organic amendments. Different letters on columns are significantly different, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e=.05.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3759317/v1/031245784b7b9c41fb5844b5.png"},{"id":49203206,"identity":"27fe47d1-ce04-4625-9eba-e3460f1be05b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-05 06:10:32","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":16193,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eResponse of cucumber fruits length to soil organic amendments. Different letters on columns are significantly different, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e=.05.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3759317/v1/e804110176470c659aa73302.png"},{"id":49203205,"identity":"068ca79a-83c6-4753-b55c-455758251f37","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-05 06:10:32","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":27058,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eCorrelation of cucumber yield with some selected soil chemical properties of total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3759317/v1/ca4ce98b441ea98016ca8a59.png"},{"id":77622870,"identity":"b36f68db-b006-486e-b6db-ae83c0bb3fa1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-03 16:10:40","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1652568,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3759317/v1/1acd58ea-9031-44e1-bdf9-607c19c8019d.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Soil Physiochemical Properties and Cucumber Productivity Assessment under Organic Fertilization","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eCucumber global production has dramatically increased in recent years. This is due to cucumbers' tremendous nutritional role in the human diet (Kaushik et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Abbey et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Cucumber is loaded with vitamin C, phosphorus, thiamine, and iron and serves as a quick source of income for its farmers due to cucumber's short maturity duration (Abbey et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). This elevated cucumber production is attributed to the faster nutrient release of synthetic fertilizers and protection from pests with synthetic pesticides (Ngosong et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Agbor et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022a\u003c/span\u003e). Nonetheless, the accumulation of toxic chemicals and heavy metals in cucumber from synthetic agrochemicals such as Mancozeb a coper-base fungicide and rock phosphate that has some traces of cadmium is very high, especially around the cucumber periphery (Alengebawy et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). This is a significant problem as most cucumbers are harvested, washed, and eaten fresh or in salads leading to deleterious human health effects. Also, synthetic chemicals lead to soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, negatively affect pH, leaching causing eutrophication, and demise of beneficial insects, and they are expensive for local farmers to afford (Chandini et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Koli et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Galani et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Agbor \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2022b). This melancholic problem warrants using holistic cucumber production inputs in the likes of organic manures and cheap pesticides (Adesemove, 2017; Hunter et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Bayu, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Poultry manure, compost, goat dung, cow dung, green manure, cocoa husks, rabbit droppings, and botanicals are soil and crop protection amendments employed for sustainable crop production (Campos Filho et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Asfaw, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). The richest known organic manure, poultry dropping, is cheap and known for enhancing soil physicochemical conditions for crop production and is eco-friendly (Hoover et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Dang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Cow dung, on the one hand, provides essential plant nutrients and is efficient in fungi and bacterial disease reduction as it is effective in limiting plant pathogenic fungi like \u003cem\u003eFusarium solani\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eFusarium oxysporum\u003c/em\u003e mycelial growth (Ozlu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Dang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Cocoa pod husk obtained after cocoa beans processing is a rich source of macro and micronutrients and modulates soil pH status, but it is often abandoned as waste (Fidelis and Rajashekhar Rao, 2018; Hougni et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). In general, organic manures are recognized for their ability to increase soil qualities including soil structure, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and water holding capacity, as well as for slowing down the release of nutrients across the crop production cycle and activating microbial biomass. and reduces harmful levels by binding heavy metals to impede their uptake by plants. (Najafi-Ghiri \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017). Despite the role of poultry manure, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk being known in crop production, no study has examined their comparative effect on the organic production of cucumber and their implication on soil physicochemical properties. Therefore, we aim to explore the analogous aftermath of poultry manure, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk in organic cucumber production and the ramification of Poultry manure, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk on soil physicochemical properties in Kumba Cameroon.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1. Description of the study area\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis field study was carried out at Barombi-Kang in Kumba III municipality. Kumba III municipality is located in Agro-ecological zone IV, Meme Division-South West Region of Cameroon, between latitude 03\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e 24\u0026lsquo;N and longitude 09\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e 10\u0026lsquo;E of the equator (Njikam and Alhadji, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). The ananual average rainfall in the study area is about 2500 mm. It has a mono-modal rainfall pattern with peaks in July and September and the dry season generally extends from October to March. Temperatures show variations throughout the year, with an average temperature of 25 ℃ and relative humidity ranging from 70\u0026ndash;84%. Sandy clay soils characterize the area. (Kimengsi and Tosam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2. Treatments and experimental design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe experimental field size of 100 m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e was cleared using a cutlass, and the debris was raked. Twelve plots of 1.5 m X 3.2 m, that is, 4.8 m2, were demarcated and raised to 30 cm ridges using a hoe. The spacing between the plots was 0.5 m, while between replicates was 1 m. Planting spots at 75 cm by 75 cm were marked on the plots giving 3 inter-row and 5 intra-row stands to 15 stands per plot (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003ea \u0026amp; b). The research was set up in a randomized complete block pattern with four treatments, each reproduced three times.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment codes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment full name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.12kg/plant Poultry Manure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.69kg/plant Cow Dung\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0kg/plant Cocoa Husk\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatments comprised different rates and types of organic manures (Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The rate of poultry manure of 20t/ha applied was based on studies conducted by Khan et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e) and that for cow dung 30t/ha was based on studies carried out by Shafiee Zargar (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1996\u003c/span\u003e). No literature was found on the application rate for cocoa husk. All treatments were applied two weeks before transplanting.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2.1. Seed sowing\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCucumber seeds of cultivar- Poinsett-76 cucumber \u003csup\u003e\u0026trade;\u003c/sup\u003e. The cultivar is characterized by a 70-day cycle, dark green, straight, and non-bitter fruits with diameters ranging from 5.08 to 6.35 cm and lengths ranging from 17.78 to 20.32cm. The seeds were sown at three seeds per stand rate at a depth of 2 cm and a 75 cm X 75 cm spacing (on the spot where the manures had been incorporated). The seedbeds were watered immediately after sowing. Two weeks after sowing, thinning to two seedlings plants per stand was done.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2.2. Site maintenance and cucumber cultural practices\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeed management and irrigation\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHand weeding was done weekly using a hoe. The plants were watered morning and evening a day, during dry periods of no rain.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePests and disease management\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInsect pests and diseases were controlled using a combination of garlic and \u003cem\u003ePiper\u003c/em\u003e botanicals prepared according to Tanyi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e and Agbor et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022a\u003c/span\u003e. The garlic and \u003cem\u003ePiper\u003c/em\u003e botanicals were sprayed before seeding and continued weekly to keep pests and diseases in check.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTraining cucumber vines on support\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCucumber vines were trained on a 2 m support stake placed at the center of each plot with ropes tied on 30 cm tall stakes hammed into the ground at 15 cm away from the cucumber rhizosphere. Tendrils gripped the ropes, and vines climbed upward to the central 2 m state. This was done two weeks after seeding.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3. Data collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRandomly selected Five plants were tagged for data collection per plot.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3.1. Growth data\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData on growth were collected 2 weeks after seeding and continued weekly for 1 month. Growth data included length of vine, leaf number, and branch number.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3.2. Yield data\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit length (in centimeters), fruit girth (in centimeters), and fresh fruit weight (kg)/treatment were used to calculate the yield of cucumber. This was done twice, on the 42nd and 46th days after sowing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3.3. Soil and organic manure analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt the experimental site, augers were used to collect pre- and post-soil samples at random from a depth of 0 to 15 cm. Four samples were collected and bulked for the pre-soil analysis to form a composite sample. A 2 mm sieve was used to sieve the soil sample after it had been air dried.. Organic manures (poultry droppings, cow dung, cocoa husk) were collected and air dried. For the post-soil analysis, soils were collected per replicate per treatment from the field and air-dried. Both soil and the organic manure samples were sent for analysed at the Soil Science laboratory of the University of Dschang.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe particle size of the soil done by utilizing the pipette method and sodium hexametaphosphate as the dispersion agent (Kalra \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 1991). The potentiometric method was used for soil pH in both water (H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO) and 1M Potassium chloride (KCl) solutions after twenty-four (24) hours in suspension (solid/liquid\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1/2.5 w/v). A neutral solution of ammonium acetate was used to extract exchangeable bases. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to determine the amounts of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), whereas flame photometry was used to determine potassium (K) and sodium (Na) (Jones, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). By using the KCL extraction procedure, exchangeable acidity was produced (Jones, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). The available Phosphorus (P) is obtained by the Bray II method, whereas the total Nitrogen (N) is acquired by the macrokjeldahl digestion method (Bremner and Mulvaney, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1982\u003c/span\u003e; Buresh et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1982\u003c/span\u003e; Jones, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Meanwhile, the Walkey-Black method is used to determine the amount of organic carbon in the soil (Mylavarapu \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2014).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4. Analysis of data\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo investigate the effects of treatments as categorical seeress, one-way analysis of variance of physicochemical properties of soil, growth, and yield parameters was performed using SPSS version 26 at \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to distinguish means that were significantly different, with a P value of 0.05. To determine the strength of the relationship between the independent variable soil chemical characteristics and the yield dependent variable, Pearson correlation was used.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e3.1. Pre and post-soil physicochemical and organic manure properties\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe pre-soil analysis showed the physicochemical properties of the study area (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e), while Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e presents the nutrient content in the organic manures used for this study. The result showed that poultry dropping is richer in nutrient content when compared to cow dung and cocoa pod husk (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). After applying organic manures, the post-soil analysis revealed a significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05) increase in soil physicochemical properties (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). OC increased by 39%, OM 16.8%, exchangeable Ca 25%, K 71%, Mg 27%, N\u003csub\u003etot\u003c/sub\u003e 11.6% and P\u003csub\u003eavail\u003c/sub\u003e 9.8% for poultry dropping treatment (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Cow dung and cocoa pod husk also evinced positive effects on the physicochemical properties of the soil (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePre-soil physicochemical properties\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSoil properties\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSoil test values\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTexture (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSand\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSilt\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eClay\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTextural class\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003epH H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.52\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHumidity (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDry matter (DM)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrganic matter\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOrganic carbon (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOrganic matter (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal nitrogen (g/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eC/N\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExchangeable cations (meq/100g)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCalcium\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMagnesium\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePotassium\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSodium\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSum of bases\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCation exchange capacity (meg/100%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCEC pH 7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBase saturation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e95.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable phosphorus\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBray II (mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eproperties of organic manures\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eManure properties\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoultry droppings\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCow dung\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCocoa pod husk\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal nitrogen (kg/t) DM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePhosphorus (P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e) (kg/t) DM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePotassium (K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO) (kg/t) DM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCalcium oxide (CaO) (kg/t) DM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMagnesium oxide (MgO) (kg/t) DM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003epH (H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOrganic matter (kg/t) DM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e180\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e134\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDM in percentage (kg/t) DM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e255\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e409\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePost-soil physicochemical properties\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParameters\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoultry droppings\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCow dung\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCocoa pod husk\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSoil texture\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSandy clay\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003epH (H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003epH (KCl)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHumidity (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDry matter\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e137.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e209.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e410.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOrganic carbon (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOrganic matter (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal nitrogen (N\u003csub\u003etot\u003c/sub\u003e) (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.0\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eC/N ratio\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExchangeable bases (meq/100g)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCalcium\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.3\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.3\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.3\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.3\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMagnesium\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePotassium\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSodium\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCation exchange capacity (meg/100%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCEC (pH 7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAvailable Phosphorus (P\u003csub\u003eavail\u003c/sub\u003e) (mg/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDifferent letters on values within a row are significantly different \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e3.2. Response of cucumber growth parameters to soil organic amendments\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSoil addition of various organic fertilizers significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05)\u003c/em\u003e affected the vegetative growth parameters of cucumber. Amendment of soil with poultry droppings evinced the longest vine length (168.3 cm), followed by cow dung (155.9 cm) and cocoa pod husk (116.3 cm), while the shortest vine length was seen in the control (90 cm). Enhancement of soil with poultry droppings witnessed the highest number of leaves (31), second by cow dung (25), then cocoa pod husk (17) with the lowest in control (13). More branches were observed in poultry dropping treatment (12), and fewer branches were experienced in control (3) (Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003ctable id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResponse of cucumber growth parameters to soil organic amendments\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVine length (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNumber of leaves\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNumber of branches\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e90.0\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoultry droppings\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e168.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCow dung\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e155.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCocoa pod husk\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e116.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.5\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDifferent letters on values within a column are significantly different \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e3.3. Response of cucumber yield parameters to soil organic amendments\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe incorporation of soil with organic manures significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05) affected cucumber fruit yield. Soil amelioration with poultry droppings displayed more cucumber yield (11.3 kg/ha), which is 34.5% more than the control (5.5 kg/ha) without any organic amendment. Cow dung (8.3 t/ha) and cocoa pod husk (7.3 t/ha) only came second and third after poultry droppings (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly, cucumber fruit length response differed significantly (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05) among the various treatments. The greatest fruit length was evinced in the poultry dropping (20 cm) treatment, followed by cow dung (18 cm) and cocoa pod husk (14.7 cm), while the control had the shortest length (12.3 cm) (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e3.4 Correlation of cucumber yield with some selected soil chemical properties of total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003c/span\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA strong positive association (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98995) existed between the yield of cucumber and total nitrogen, similar strength of strong positive association (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99393) was seen between yield of cucumber and phosphorus as well as a strong positive relation (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.84688) was observed between yield of cucumber and potassium Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, suggesting that yield increases as soil chemical nutrients increases.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussions","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1. Treatments\u0026rsquo; effect on physicochemical properties of soil\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe soil physicochemical properties showed a significant increase in this study which is a reflection of the application of organic manures of poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk (Dang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Hougni et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Kumba, Cameroon, is dominated mainly by sandy soils with a fragile structure, little capacity for retaining water, high permeability, and sensitivity (Huang and Hartemink, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e); thus, soil amendment with organic manures is imperative for enhanced soil fertility and crop production (Ngosong et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). The observed increase in pH highlights the fact that organic manures serve as buffers to soil pH, an increase in OC, OM, exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, N\u003csub\u003etot\u003c/sub\u003e, and P\u003csub\u003eavail\u003c/sub\u003e was also experienced in this study resulting from the application of organic manures which is consistent with other works (Adebayo et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Mokgolo et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). The high mineral nutrient content in the organic treatments comes from the rich nature of the organic manures and may be coupled with the fixation and subilisation activity of beneficial soil organisms further enhanced by the organic manures that are eco-friendly, providing energy for their activities and growth (Yahyaabadi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Zhang \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2016). This result is consistent with the study's premise showcasing the importance of organic manures in soil fertility and crop improvement in Kumba Cameroon.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2. Treatments\u0026rsquo; effect on vegetative growth of cucumber\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe pursuance showed an increase in the cucumber vegetative growth parameters after applying organic manures, significantly surpassing the control treatment (Yunilasari et al., 2020; Hougni et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Zhao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Nkongho et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022a\u003c/span\u003e). Though the performance of cucumber was significant across all organic treatments, poultry dropping demonstrated superiority while cow dung came second and cocoa pod husk was last, which conforms with the nutrient contents of the various organic manures (Yunilasari \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2020; Zhao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Poultry dropping had a more significant effect on cucumber vegetative growth parameters due to its high nutrient content, which is in line with other studies (Adekiya et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Alaboz et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). The low growth experienced in control shows the porous nature of the sandy soil, which rarely holds nutrients in uptake form by crops (Nkongho et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022b\u003c/span\u003e). This is compounded by the acidic nature of the soils, with nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, to name a few becoming unavailable. Also, Kumba, Cameroon, has a hot climate that adversely affects soil productivity (Huang and Hartemink, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Dang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Zhao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). This is contrary to the soil augmented with organic manure, which is consistent with this study's hypothesis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3. Treatments\u0026rsquo; effect on yield of cucumber\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe enhanced cucumber fruit yield in soils with organic manure amendment with the highest in poultry droppings supports this study's premise and is in line with other research studies (Ngosong et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Adekiya et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Dang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). The slow nutrient-releasing nature of poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk has worked perfectly well for the cucumber plants resulting in higher yields than the control. Yield of cucumber fruits increased which is in line with the increase in vegetative growth parameters, as cucumber is heavily dependent on its vegetative parameters for optimal production. Thus the resulting increase in fruit length across organic soil amendments further strengthens their value in increasing soil fertility emanating to better crop yields. Akosah et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) showed a reduction in fruit drop and improved yield of sweet orange fruits when organic manures are used. The pursuance of this study agrees with Timsina (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), reporting that the decaying process of organic manures releases nutrients that enhance the yield of crops, while Eissa (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e), Yunilasari \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2020), and Adebayo \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2019), had similar reports.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIncorporating organic manures into the soil significantly improved the soil physicochemical properties and cucumber yield in Kumba Cameroon. Exploration of the various organic manures indicates that poultry droppings were dominant in soil improvement and crop yield conforming to literature, followed by cow dung and cocoa pod husk. Nevertheless, all the organic soil amendments have demonstrated importance in cucumber production, as shown by the pursuance of this study. The premise of this study was achieved, and we recommend using organic manures of poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husk in the sandy soils of Kumba for crop production.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe appreciate the Ministry of Higher Education of Cameroon, and the Higher Technical Teachers\u0026rsquo; Training College Kumba, University of Buea, Cameroon, for the training and skills gained. We are grateful to friends who assisted during data collection. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthors Contribution\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work was done in close association among all authors. Author D.T.A performed statistics and literature searches, and wrote the first manuscript draft.\u0026nbsp;L.E.E designed the study, prepared organic input, processed data, performed literature. Authors A.A.T, B.C.L and D.K.S established and managed the field trial and organic input, collected data, and performed literature searches. Author P.T.T and P.M.M coordinated field site and manuscript preparation and performed literature searches. All authors worked on the manuscript and approved the final copy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunding Declaration\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo funding\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConflict of Interest\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors express no conflicting interests.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbbey B W, Nwachoko N, \u0026amp; Ikiroma, G N. 2017. Nutritional value of cucumber cultivated in three selected states of Nigeria. \u003cem\u003eBiochemistry and Analytical Biochemistry\u003c/em\u003e, 6(3), 1-3. doi:10.4172/2161-1009.10000328.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdeyemo A, Akingbola O O, \u0026amp; Ojeniyi S O. 2019. 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Effects of organic amendments on the improvement of soil nutrients and crop yield in sandy soils during a 4-year field experiment in Huang-Huai-Hai plain, northern China. \u003cem\u003eAgronomy\u003c/em\u003e, 11(1), 157. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010157\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"organic-agriculture","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"orga","sideBox":"Learn more about [Organic Agriculture](http://link.springer.com/journal/13165)","snPcode":"13165","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/13165/3","title":"Organic Agriculture","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Soil fertility, yield, vegetative growth, mineral nutrients, manure","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3759317/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3759317/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eGiven the global increase in cucumber production due to its nutritional quality, high health risks are associated with cucumber consumption due to contamination by phytotoxic heavy metals resulting from synthetic fertilizers. Thus, producing contaminants-free cucumber fruits warrants the employment of eco-friendly fertilizers sources. This study, conducted in Kumba, Cameroon, explores the impact of organic manures; poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husks, on organic cucumber cultivation and their effects on soil properties. The experiment, spanning the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons, employed a three-repeated randomized complete block design with four treatments: control, poultry droppings, cow dung, and cocoa pod husks. Results indicated a significant enhancement (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.05) in soil fertility attributed to increased OC, OM, exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, Ntot, and Pavail, with poultry droppings exhibiting the most substantial impact. This improvement in soil quality translated into notable growth parameters for cucumbers. Poultry droppings resulted in the highest vine length (168 cm), leaf number (25), and branch number (12), while the control exhibited the lowest values. Cucumber yield significantly increased with poultry droppings leading (11.3 t/ha) and the control trailing (5.5 t/ha). Cucumber fruit length was influenced by the treatments, with the longest in poultry droppings (20 cm) and the shortest in the control (12 cm). Strong correlations were observed between cucumber yield and total nitrogen (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98995), available phosphorus (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99393), and potassium (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.84688). Overall, the incorporation of organic manures, particularly poultry droppings, enhanced soil fertility, and boosted cucumber production.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Soil Physiochemical Properties and Cucumber Productivity Assessment under Organic Fertilization","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-01-05 06:10:27","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3759317/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2024-04-10T21:28:24+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-01-27T21:41:33+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"12a36d9e-40d2-40b4-a6db-522d61fc68d2","date":"2024-01-17T05:01:48+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2024-01-15T03:15:14+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-01-03T14:41:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2024-01-03T14:41:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Organic Agriculture","date":"2023-12-15T14:51:51+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"organic-agriculture","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"orga","sideBox":"Learn more about [Organic Agriculture](http://link.springer.com/journal/13165)","snPcode":"13165","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/13165/3","title":"Organic Agriculture","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"c38dc193-61aa-46eb-8c50-17c61e98a57c","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 5th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-03-03T16:06:46+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-3759317","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-025-00488-7","journal":{"identity":"organic-agriculture","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Organic Agriculture"},"publishedOn":"2025-02-27 15:58:21","publishedOnDateReadable":"February 27th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2024-01-05 06:10:27","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s13165-025-00488-7","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-025-00488-7","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3759317","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3759317","identity":"rs-3759317","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"veTbxFhMMB0_faC6-Wkog","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}