Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) long, cylindrical green fruits that contain about 95% of water are a member of the cucurbitaceae just like squashes and melons. The annual deep-rooted crops with tendrils and hairy leaves are planted year-round and can be directly seeded or transplanted. Due to their high rate of consumption, Cucumber farming is one of the lucrative agribusiness in the world.
Multiple discoveries have been able to show how the cucumber business which is highly profitable and also a source of livelihood for many people in Nigeria. Cucumber, a moderately salt-tolerant plant requires any type of loose soil provided that the soil has considerable organic matters and is well-drained. Before you start planting cucumbers, loose the soil for root penetration and mix the soil with enough fertilizer thoroughly. Decay manures/rich composts are the best fertilizers to use for cucumbers to come out well.
For optimum crop growth, the optimum pH should be between 5 – 7 and soil temperature should be between 18-20°C. When selecting a site, remember that a stable temperature to always warm the soil is needed for the crop to germinate well. Cucumbers naturally require support to grow, so trellis/cage trellis, stake, fence, or any other vertical system after planting the seed is needed to help their growth.
Endeavor to water the plants deeply and regularly, for cucumbers require plenty of moisture to perform well. It’s wiser to choose hybrid cucumber seeds which have indicated higher productivity, good and uniform color, outstanding tolerance to pests and diseases, etc, compared to non-hybrid.
There are unfavorable conditions influencing cucumber production in this part of the world and they include pests and diseases, lack of access to quality seeds, unavailability of land, lack of capital, post-harvest loss, grower’s inexperience, adverse climatic conditions, etc.
Common pests and diseases in cucumber farming are majorly caused by Fungi and can be managed by rotating crops every year, planting certified resistant varieties, watering from the base, cleaning equipment regularly, and applying appropriate protective fungicides/pesticides such as Cabrio Duo, Ridomil Gold, Skywalk, Decis, Tihan, etc.
One major constraint is not having access to quality seeds for planting and the appropriate crop protection products.
But fortunate, this has already been sorted out by The Seed Hub (Home of Quality Seeds).
We currently have a wide range of hybrid cucumber seeds in stock (Greengo, Mona Lisa, Nandini, Kayin, Asher, Darina, Marketer as well as the necessary crop protection products)
Important to mention is the problem of land unavailability/Land tenure system is one of the challenges that can be facing cucumber production in Nigeria and this can be rectified by the government through legal fragmentation policies that can help to eliminate land-related crises.
Contact us via www.seedhub.ng 09065126356 to make an order.
