Nutritional quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruits to the application of organic and inorganic soil amendments

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a globally significant vegetable crop valued for its significant economic and nutritional importance. This study investigated the impact of various organic and inorganic soil amendments on the proximate and mineral composition of cucumber fruits. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications was carried out at the farm station of CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Ghana. Ten treatments were evaluated, involving sole and integrated application of poultry manure (PM), compost tea (CT) and NPK (20-20-20) foliar fertilizer at varying rates. Comprehensive analyses were conducted on the fruits to assess moisture, ash, crude fiber, fat, protein, and carbohydrate contents, along with the concentrations of essential minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) and Vitamin C. Proximate analysis revealed that combined treatments such as ½CT(compost tea) + ¼(NPK + PM(poultry manure)) significantly enhanced fat (7.96%) and crude fiber (17.62%). Mineral analysis showed that ½PM + ¼(NPK + CT) improved calcium (1.10%) and iron (135.67 mg/kg). Notably, protein (34.38%), manganese (26.50 mg/kg) and vitamin C (12.03 mg/kg) content were highest in control, highlighting probable nutrient trade-offs associated with fertilization. This study emphasizes the necessity of precise fertilization strategies to maximize cucumber fruit quality and provides evaluative insights for sustainable cucumber production.