Evaluating the impact of mulching and fertilizer combinations in maximizing cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) growth and production

Efficient cucumber cultivation requires a thorough understanding of the interplay between cultivation practices and crop productivity. This study, conducted from February to June 2022 in Nawalparasi district, Nepal, addresses the challenge of optimizing cucumber production through an exploration of the combined effects of mulching and various fertilizer applications. The research aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that specific mulching and fertilizer combinations would lead to superior growth and yield in cucumber plants. The experimental design employed a two- factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two mulching conditions (mulching and non-mulching) and four different fertilizers [Control, Farmyard manure (FYM), and NPK treatments consisting of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) applied at a rate of 140:40:100 NPK/ha), and FYM + NPK, resulting in eight treatment combinations replicated three times. The results revealed that plastic mulching significantly enhanced key growth parameters, including plant height (170.80 cm), number of branches (5.35), number of leaves (51.96), and yield (25.93 t/ha) of cucumber, compared with the no-mulch treatments. Notably, the application of FYM in conjunction with NPK exhibited optimal outcomes for plant height (181.23 cm), number of leaves (52.50), yield (27.97 t/ha), and highest benefit-cost ratio (2.60). The study recommends adopting mulching over no-mulching and utilizing a combination of FYM and NPK fertilizers for enhanced cucumber growth and economically viable yields. Despite the positive outcomes, it is imperative to conduct the test on a larger scale for a more comprehensive evaluation.