Yield of gherkin in response to doses of bovine manure

Abstract

Considering the importance of gherkin in Northeastern Brazil, studies focusing on increasing its quality and yield are powerful tools to improve people social and economical condition in this region. The effects of doses of bovine manure were evaluated in gherkin yield in an experiment using cultivar Nordestino, from May to September 2006, at the Federal University of Paraíba, in Areia County, Paraíba State, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks, with five treatments (0; 10; 20; 30, and 40 t ha-1) of bovine manure, in four replications. The working area in each experimental plot corresponded to 80 m², including 20 plants, with 2.0 x 2.0 m spaces. The highest number of fruits per plant (30) was achieved with 32.2 t ha-1 of bovine manure. Both fruit production per plant and fruit yield increased with doses of bovine manure, with maximum values of respectively 1,306 g and 19.5 t ha-1, when 40 t ha-1 of bovine manure were used.