Authors : Mustapha Abdulganiy Oluwasegun

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 8 - August

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/c39ehvjh

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4jsw83tw

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25aug577

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.

Abstract : This study investigates the effects of selected fungal and bacterial biofertilizers on two cucumber varieties Greengo F1 and Lily F1 under field conditions in Southwest Nigeria. A randomized complete block design was used to apply five treatments, namely Trichoderma harzianum, Penicillium menonorum, Bacillus subtilis, Rhizobacteria, and a control. Growth parameters, yield, soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, and fruit nutritional composition were measured. The results showed that biofertilizer application significantly enhanced growth characteristics, particularly plant height and stem girth. Rhizobium and Bacillus subtilis treatments were most effective, especially on the Lily F1 variety. Yield and fruit quality were also improved with biofertilizer use. Soil nutrient content, pH, organic matter, and microbial abundance increased, indicating enhanced soil fertility. The study concludes that microbial inoculants, particularly bacterial strains, can significantly contribute to sustainable cucumber production in nutrient-depleted soils.

Keywords : Cucumber, Biofertilizer, Trichoderma, Bacillus Subtilis, Rhizobacteria, Sustainable Agriculture, Soil Health.

References :

1. Akinmoladun, F. O., et al. (2015). Effect of organic fertilizer on cucumber nutrient content. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science, 20(1), 88-95.
2. Ali, S., et al. (2019). Comparative efficacy of fungal biofertilizers on soil nutrient status. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 13(14), 271-278.
3. Bashan, Y., et al. (2014). Advances in plant growth-promoting bacterial inoculant technology. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 33(6), 451-499.
4. Bhattacharyya, P. N., & Jha, D. K. (2012). Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): emergence in agriculture. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 28(4), 1327-1350.
5. Harman, G. E., et al. (2004). Trichoderma species—opportunistic, avirulent plant symbionts. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2(1), 43-56.
6. Kumar, A., et al. (2017). Biofertilizers: Sustainable tool for agriculture. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 6(5), 311-317.
7. Liao, M., et al. (2015). Rhizosphere bacteria enhance cucumber resistance to Fusarium. Journal of Plant Protection Research, 55(4), 384-392.
8. Mishra, J., & Kaur, G. (2015). Bacillus subtilis: A potential PGPR. Journal of Environmental Biology, 36(3), 483-496.
9. Pawar, S. S., et al. (2020). Biotic stress management in cucurbits. Journal of Plant Pathology, 102(1), 1-8.
10. Schreiter, S., et al. (2014). Effect of biofertilizers on microbial community structure. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 80(18), 5632-5640.
11. Sharma, R., et al. (2019). Integrated nutrient management in cucumber. Agricultural Research Journal, 56(3), 447-452.
12. Singh, A., et al. (2013). Phosphate-solubilizing fungi: Trichoderma and Penicillium. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 57, 114-124.
13. Verma, J. P., et al. (2001). Impact of biofertilizers on crop yield. Agronomy Journal, 93(2), 235-243.
14. Wang, Q., et al. (2020). Bacillus subtilis inoculation improves cucumber productivity. Applied Soil Ecology, 145, 103349.