HYDROPONICS PRODUCTION OF CUCUMBER AS SOIL FARMING ALTERNATIVE IN NIGERIA

The constant farmers-herders clash has predisposed farmers to insecurity in Nigeria thereby making farming open field difficult. hydroponics system gained popularity the cultivation of vegetable crops around World. However, Nigeria, there is dearth information on usage as an alternative soil farming. Hence, need investigate suitability producing cucumber using compared soil. Seeds three varieties were grown cocopeat substrate and topsoil a 3 (genotypes) by 2 (substrate) factorial experiment laid completely randomized design with replicates. Each plant was fertigated 100 ml liquefied poultry manure weekly watered every days till harvest. Data taken number leaves, height, leaf area, flowering fruiting, fruits average fruit weight. collected analyzed ANOVA differences treatment means separated least significant at 5% level significance. Result obtained showed among genotypes growth yield parameters Poinset having highest (6.88±0.57) weight (275.00±17.03), while effect not significant.