A review on the benefits, techniques, constraints and solutions to cucumber production in Southeastern Nigeria
Cucumber [Cucumis sativus (L.)] is a fruit crop that is of the family, Cucurbitaceae together with watermelon, sweet melon, fluted pumpkin, broadleaf pumpkin, muskmelon, summer squash and gourds. It is a vine crop that originated from India and is cultivated worldwide today. It is a trailing, annual herbaceous crop that possesses extensive adventitious roots and four –angled stems with hairy, un-branched tendrils. Cucumber is one of the main in-between meals of the southeastern Nigeria as it is being incorporated in their cropping systems by many farmers. The medicinal importance of cucumber ranges from having diuretic effect, reduction of constipation and hypertension through hydration properties. Cucumber is a short duration crop that matures between 8 and 12 weeks after cultivation depending on the variety. It requires an annual rainfall of about 1500 – 2000 mm and temperature that ranges between 20 and 25 °C to thrive with sandy loam having a pH range between 5.5 and 6.7. [34; 35]. It can also be grown with irrigation during dry season and in areas with low annual rainfall. It can also be cultivated and produced in the greenhouses. Production of cucumber in southeastern Nigeria is faced with several challenges such as pests and diseases, poor funding, poor enlightenment, and poor storage facilities. So, in view of the above identified setbacks, the following have been given as panacea to these setbacks which include accessibility to credit facilities, organizing seminars and workshops, provision of adult education and high-quality seeds.
Keywords: Benefits, cucumber, production, problems and panacea.
Correspondence: orji.kalu@mouau.edu.ng, 07065223591
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