Comparative Efficacy of Spacing on Insect-Pests of Cucumber in Cucumber-Maize Intercropping System
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Abstract
Field trials were conducted in 2023 and 2024 planting seasons to evaluate the potency of spacing in intercropping cucumber with maize on the insect-pests and yield of cucumber in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The field trial was carried out in 2023 and then repeated the following year (2024). The experiment had the planting of cucumber with maize in an intercropping system using 3 spacings as thus; 75cm x75cm, 75cm x 50cm and 75cm X 25cm. Four varieties of cucumber namely; Mona Lisa, Murano 2, Nandini 732 and cucumber marketer while only ART -98-SWI variety of maize was used in the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design and treatments replicated 4 times. The major insect pests assessed in the field were; Acalymma vittatum, Diabrotica undecimpunctata, Aulacophora spp and E. elaterii. Data obtained were analyzed using Genstat 8.1 statistical software and significant (P<0.05) means were separated using Tukey Honest significant method. The results of the findings showed that Cucumber-maize intercropping at 75cm X 25cm had reduced population density of all the insect pests when compared with other planting distances. The intercrop of Nandini 732, Mona Lisa and Murano 2 and cucumber marketer variety with maize at 75cm X 25cm had relatively reduced pest pressure and higher yield when compared with that of other spacings. In 2023 cropping season, the Nandini cucumber variety -maize intercrop at 75cm X 25cm had 44.79% increase in cucumber fruit yield (t/ha) when compared with that of 75cm x75cm while in 2024 season, Mona Lisa cucumber variety-maize intercrop at 75cm X 25cm had 56.51 % increase when compared with that of 75cm x75cm.The result suggests that intercropping of Cucumber with maize at 75cm X 25cm is more effective in the management of insect pests of cucumber and increase in fruit productivity of cucumber.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ukatu, P. O., Asawalam, E. F., Emeasor, K. C. (Author)
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Ukatu, P. O., University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State.
Department of Crop Science
Asawalam, E. F., Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
Department of Plant Health Management
Emeasor, K. C., Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
Professor,
Department of Plant Health Management
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