Integrated effect of urea and poultry manure on growth, yield and postharvest quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Application of organic manures with inorganic fertilizers is considered helpful in maintaining the crop productivity and improving soil fertility. Therefore, in this regard, current study was designed to determine the efficacy of urea and poultry manure (PM) either alone or in combination on growth, yield, and postharvest quality of cucumber cv. Summer Green in a field experiment at Rawalakot. This study comprised of six different treatments including urea (120 kg N ha-1), PM (120 kg N ha-1), urea + PM (90 + 30 kg N ha-1), urea + PM (60 + 60 kg N ha-1), urea + PM (30 + 90 kg N ha-1) and a control. It was organized according to randomized complete block design each with three replicates. Results showed that application of urea and PM either alone or in combination significantly affected cucumber growth, yield and postharvest quality. However, integration of urea with PM yielded better results as compared to other treatments. Among integrated treatments, application of urea @ 90 kg N ha-1 and PM @ 30 kg N ha-1 showed about 26% increase in plant height, 30% increase in leaf area and 32% increase in number of leaves plant-1. Similarly, fruit weight, postharvest quality and N uptake efficiency were also increased by 36%, 39% and 50%, respectively. Moreover, application of urea with PM also improved soil organic matter, total N, available P and K by 53%, 67%, 38% and 25%, respectively. Thus, the results of present study suggested that integration of urea with PM could be a feasible option for sustainable cucumber production.