COMBINED EFFECT OF STAKING AND MULCHING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS, L.) VARIETIES.

ABSTRACT The growth and yield of cucumber are vital parameters in measuring plant productivity, but agronomic practices such as staking and mulching also influence overall plant development. This study was carried out to assess the combined effect of staking and mulching on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus, L.) varieties. The experiment was laid in a split plot arrangement using a Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated three times. The treatment consisted of variety: Daewy F1 and Darina F1 as the main plot and four combinations of staking and mulching: Trellis and mulch, Mulch, Trellis and no mulch and non-trellis as sub-plot. The objectives of the study was aimed at assessing the individual and combined effects of staking and mulching on growth and yield of cucumber varieties. The result showed that trellis and mulch significantly enhanced vine length, stem girth, number of leaves per plant and fruit yield of the plants. Followed by plants that were trellis and mulched alone plants. The plants that were not mulched and trellis recorded the lowest values. Daewy F1 consistently outperformed Darina F1 across all growth and yield parameters; however, Darina F1 exhibited earlier maturity, being an early- maturing variety. Although, the study showed better performance with the combination of staking and mulching, the interactions between trellis and mulch and variety on yield were not statistically significant. This suggests that while each factor influenced cucumber growth and yield independently, their combined effects did not interact strongly across the varieties. It was concluded that the integration of staking and mulching, especially when used with Daewy F1 variety improved key growth parameters and led to the highest fruit yield. These practices created a favourable growing environment by reducing the soil temperature and enhancing plants exposure to light for efficient photosynthesis.