Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Abstract

The Effect of Planting Time on Phytophthora Blight Disease Incidence and Severity on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in Nsukka, Derived Savanna, Agro Ecology, South Eastern Nigeria

Patience Ukamaka Ishieze, Ugwuoke Kelvin I and Aba Simon C

Field experiments were conducted to study the disease incidence and severity of six cucumber lines at different time of planting (April, 12th; May, 12th; June, 12th, July, 12th and September, 12th), Six varieties of cucumber (Marketter, Poinsett 76 Netherlands, Poinsett 76 Holland, Poinsett France, Poinsett Holland and super marketter) during 2013 farming season. It was observed from the results that the planting time of April had the lowest disease incidence (3.48%) and severity on leaves (1.20) and fruits (1.06), followed by September with lower disease incidence (3.60%), disease severity on leaves (1.22) and fruits (1.17) while July had the highest disease incidence (6.27%) and disease severity on leaves(1.56) and fruits (1.74). The yields during the April and September plantings were significantly (p<0.05) higher than other months. April and September had 481.60 and 483.60 tonnes per hectare respectively while July had 19.10 tonnes per hectare. The cucumber lines also showed.

significant (p<0.05) response to disease incidence and severity with the Supermarketer having the lowest disease incidence (4.15%) and severity on leaves (1.39) and fruits (1.17) and Poinsette Holland had the highest disease incidence (5.15%) and Poinsette 76 Holland had the highest severity both on leaves and fruits (1.45 and 1.35). The supermarketer gave the highest yield of 221.10 tonnes per hectare. From the observations farmers in derived savanna agro ecology can plant during the month of April and September for maximum yield and less usage of pesticides. Super marketer variety remains the best variety in this study.