~ 96 ~ International Journal of Horticulture and Food Science 2022; 4(2): 96-100 E-ISSN: 2663-1067 P-ISSN: 2663-1075 IJHFS 2022; 4(2): 96-100 Received: 11-04-2022 Accepted: 16-05-2022 Olamide Falaiye Center of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Jacob Goke Bodunde Department of Horticulture, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Eyitayo Adekunle Makinde Department of Horticulture, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Olajide Philip Sobukola Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Asimiu Kasali Center of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Oluwatosin Mary Peters Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Corresponding Author: Olamide Falaiye Center of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria The effect of spacing on the growth, phenology and yield of two cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties in the forest-savanna: Transition agro-ecological zone of Nigeria Olamide Falaiye, Jacob Goke Bodunde, Eyitayo Adekunle Makinde, Olajide Philip Sobukola, Asimiu Kasali and Oluwatosin Mary Peters Abstract The increasing population in Nigeria has resulted in a high demand for food. Some of cucumber production constraints include limited high yielding varieties and appropriate spacing. Therefore, two field trials were conducted to determine growth and yield of two cucumber varieties in 2019, at the research farm of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (Latitude 7°15¹N and Longitude 3°25¹E). The experimental design was a three-time replicated Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a split-plot layout. The main and the sub plots were given the factors: variety and spacing, respectively. The data was analyzed using ANOVA, and the means of significant treatments were separated using Least Significant Difference (p<0.05). Monalisa produced significantly (p<0.05) longer vines than CU 999 in the early season. The results of the experiment showed that increase in plant density brought about increase in fruit yield. Keywords: Cucumber, variety, spacing, growth, yield 1. Introduction Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of Nigeria's most popular fruits and vegetables. It is the world's fourth most farmed vegetable and is often regarded as one of the healthiest foods available [1] . It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is one of the most popular members. Cucumber is a South Asian native that is now grown on practically every continent. Cucumbers are available in a wide range of forms and sizes and are sold all over the world [2, 3] . They are vine crops that are cultivated on the ground, on poles, or on anchored trellises to suspend fruit [2, 3] . Cucumber fruit is high in vitamins A, C, K, B6, potassium, dietary fiber, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and phosphorus [4] . Cucumber cultivation is growing increasingly popular in a large area of Nigeria, according to [5] , possibly due to its strong nutritional and medicinal benefits, as well as its use as a component ingredient in pharmaceuticals [6] . Plant spacing is one of the most essential elements in crop production, according to [7] , since proper crop spacing makes optimal use of resources by limiting competition among plants with similar cultural requirements. [8] Investigated the influence of plant spacing on cucumber yield in a protected environment and found that a plant spacing of 60 cm 60 cm produced the maximum yield when compared to 60 cm 30 cm or 90 cm 60 cm spacing. According to [9] , increasing plant density from 2 to 10 plants per m2 increased yield per plant but decreased productivity per unit area, whereas decreasing plant density increased yield per unit area [10] . Tested the effect of plant population on cucumber yield and fruit quality, and discovered that plant population had significant impact on cucumber yield. He found that as plant density increased, reproductive yield (kg/plant) decreased. The highest plant density resulted in the largest fruit output. [11] Investigated the influence of spatial arrangement on three cucumber types grown in a controlled environment, finding that close spacing resulted in a high total and marketable yield per unit area. Growth and yield of plant all rose dramatically as plant spacing increased, according to an experiment done by [12, 5] .