C.S.E.C.

Agricultural Science
School Based Assessment
(S.B.A.)
Year 2010

Name of Candidate: Adelaja Dalrymple

School: Queens College

Centre Number: 090041

Candidate Number: 0900410230

Teacher: Mr. Hector

Territory: Guyana

Year of Examination: 2010

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Cost Analysis

The Growth and Management of Cucumbers

Done by: Adelaja Dalrymple

An Agricultural Science Project Report in Partial Fulfillment for

CSEC at Queens College

May/June 2010

.................................
Signature of Candidate

..................................
Date

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Acknowledgements

The researcher would like to thank the following persons for contribution
towards the completion of this project.

 First of all, God, for granting strength, life and hope towards finishing
this project.

 Mr. Hector for assisting with the chickens, feeds and all other
necessary contributions towards this project.

 My family and parents for encouraging me through to the end.

 My friends, in school and from my community, for staying by me

those late nights and sharing information towards the completion of
this project.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Introduction

This School Based Assessment (S.B.A) is a necessary requirement of the

Secondary Examinations Certificate Course (C.S.E.C.) for the Agriculture
Science (Double Award). This assessment/project requires the researcher to
plant crops. The work in this document covers work done by the researcher
in his final 5 years of secondary school.

The researcher hopes that the information in this document is clear, precise
and hopes that anyone reading this will understand it and see that it fulfils
mandates set by C.X.C.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

 Cucumber
(Cucumis sativus)

The cucumber is a creeping vine that

roots in the ground and grows
up trellises or other supporting frames,
wrapping around ribbing with thin,
spiraling tendrils. The plant has large
leaves that form a canopy over the fruit.
The fruit is roughly cylindrical, elongated,
with tapered ends, and may be as large
as 60 cm long and 10 cm in diameter.
Cucumbers grown to be eaten fresh
(called slicers) and those intended
for pickling (called picklers) are similar.
Cucumbers are mainly eaten in the
unripe green form. The ripe yellow form
normally becomes too bitter and sour. Cucumbers are usually over 90%
water.
Having an enclosed seed and developing from a flower, botanically
speaking, cucumbers are classified as fruits. However, much like tomatoes
and squash they are usually perceived, prepared and eaten as vegetables.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

 Growing Cucumber
Cucumber are straight to grow and grow up they will on a climbing vine.

Soil Preparation

Dig a fair amount of organic compost into the soil. The soil should be
turned over down to about a spades depth.

Sowing

You can start your plants off indoors by sowing in biodegradeable seedling
pots that will ensure roots are not damaged when you plant out the
seedlings.  

Leave a gap of around 40cm between seedlings. If growing from seed you
can group sow 3 seeds in each hole to increase chances of germination
success. Seeds should be planted 2.5cm deep.

If you are planting more than one row then rows should be spaced at
around 90cm.

Position

Cucumbers need a good amount of sunshine and warmth. They are a green
house favourite. Ensure that you have adequate space as Cucumbers can
rapidly reach around 6 feet. Where space is limited train the plant against a
wall, stake or trellice. They may also spread over the ground if you have the
space.

Soil type

A well drained soil is important for cucumbers and so they are often
planted in raised beds around 6 inches high. Cucumbers will thrive in a
sandy loam soil. Ensure the soil has a good amount of organic matter within
it; manure will give the plants the nutrients they require.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Tending

Weed regularly but be careful not to go below a couple of cm's with your
hoe as you may damage the root system which will slow down plant
growth.

Water the cucumbers well each week if you want them to be juicy and firm!
The cucumber fruit itself has a very high water content.

The plant has both male and female flowers and the female flowers give
rise to the cucumbers. You can aid pollination and increase the fruit count
by using a cotton bud to transfer pollen from the male flowers onto the
centre of the female flowers. The female flowers distinguished from the
male flowers as the females have a tiny cucumber at their base.

Harvesting

You can harvest the cucumbers when they are a suitable size, this is
normally around 50-60 days after planting. The skin should be dark green in
colour, do now wait until the cucumbers have turned yellow as this
indicates that they are over ripe and their quality of flavour will decline.

Twist the cucumbers off the plant or cut the stalk just above the cucumber
tip.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

 Common Cucumber Growing Problems
The following is a list of common problems which occur during the growing
of the cucumber plant:

1. Flea Beatles – these attack the leaf of the plant causing them to have
a shot-hole appearance. Serious damage is not really done but it
must be attended to. Dusting with Rotenon, removing the debris and
moving the planting area should work against this pest.
2. Aphids – these attack the leaf and stem from the underside. They
suck fluids from the plant and then leave a honey dew substance and
the leaves yellow. Insecticidal soaps, Sevin and even a strong stream
of water can all be used to remove aphids.
3. Slugs and Snails – these are identified by the large portions of young
plants missing. The above two need moisture to live, so plants should
be out in open sunny area to reduce occurrence. Placing a board in
the garden will attract slugs to it. Every morning, lift the board and
properly dispose the slugs and snails as if they are just thrown, they
will crawl back into the garden. Jars with beer or yeast water can be
placed in the garden to attract slugs which will enter the container
and drown.
4. Damping Off – this is where young seedlings wilt and die. It is
controlled by using treated seeds and allowing soil to dry during
watering.
5. Powdery Mildew – white powdery substance on leaves. Spores which
are transported by the wind to healthy plants. Use surface or
underground watering method to avoid wetting leaves. Plant
resistant varieties should also be used. Change location of plants
from year to year. Fungicidal sprays are only moderately effective.

6. Phytophthora blight – mature plants show symptoms of root and

crown rot. Initially, feeder roots are depleted and soon after, brown
lesions develop on lateral roots. Sudden wilt is another symptom
when healthy-appearing plants suddenly collapse during the heat of
the day. Control of root rot can be achieved by planting on raised
beds to allow for maximum water drainage after each irrigation.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

 Report

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

 Agricultural Activities

The cucumber seeds were sown on the 18th October 2009.

Land Preparation

Activity Result Tools Used

Land Clearing Land cleared of weeds, Hand, Cutlass, Rake,
garbage and other Wheelbarrow, Spade
miscellaneous items.
Plowing Soil Soil dug to a depth of 6- Digging Fork
8 inches to allow root
growth.
Chipping Soil Soil chipped to a Cutlass, Hand
medium consistency
Making Drains Drain cleared to allow Spade
water run-off
Applying Fertilizer Manure mixed into the Hand, Hand Fork
soil

Fig. 1 – Table showing soil preparation for cucumber plants.

Plant Bed

Seeds were plated in seed holes by threes which were 3 cm in depth. Seed
holes were 40 cm away from each other while rows were 90 cm from each
other.

Thinning Out

This was done after al least one seed had germinated in every seed hole.
The remaining plants were then removed if they looked like they had a
defect or grew too slowly.

Watering

Plants were watered early in the morning and late in afternoon to avoid
water loss and maximize water absorption.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Weeding

Once weeds appeared, they were plucked out. Care was taken as so not to
damage the roots of the cucumber plant there.

Harvesting

This was done early in the morning on December 16, 2009. Cucumbers
were harvested by pinching the stem against the index finger. A short
section of the stem should be left connected to the cucumber. It was done
carefully, twisting of the fruit off the plant, providing the stem remains
attached to the fruit. Careful attention was paid as not to tear or pull the
fruits off the plant. The cucumbers were then placed in a well ventilated
container.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Sketch of the Plot

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Sketch of Tools

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Budget

Projected Income

Item Unit Selling Price Quantity Total

1 Cucumber $20 300 $6,000

Number of Cucumber Plants: 15

Approximate Number of Cucumber Plants: 20

Total Number of Cucumbers: 15 x 20 = 300

Selling Price of a Cucumber: $20

Number of Cucumbers Sold: 300

Total Sale of Cucumbers: $6000

Total Projected Income: $6000

Projected Expenditure

Item Unit Cost Quantity Total

Cucumber Seeds $360 2 packets $720
Manure $300 1 bag $300
Fertilizer: Urea $550 1 packet $550
Pesticide: $1,835 1 bottle 40 ec $1,835
Tnazophos
Water $1,500 10 gallons $1,500
Consumtion
Plastic Bags $5 60 $300
Miscellaneous $2,000 $2,000
Total $7,205

The Projected Expenditure is $7,205.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Projected Surplus/Loss
Projected Income: $6,000
Projected Expenditure: $7,205
Projected Loss: (Projected Expenditure – Projected Income)
$7,205 - $6,000
= $1,205
The Projected Loss is $1,205

Actual Income
Item Unit Selling Price Quantity Total
1 Cucumber $25 375 $9,375

Number of Cucumber Plants: 15

Approximate Yield Per Plant: 25

Total Number of Cucumbers: 15 x 25 = 375

Selling Price of a Cucumber: $25

Number of Cucumbers Sold: 375

Total Sale of Cucumbers: $9,375

Total Actual Income is $9,375

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Actual Expenditure

Item Unit Cost Quantity Total

Cucumber Seeds $360 2 packets $720
Manure $300 1 bag $300
Fertilizer: Urea $550 1 packet $550
Pesticide: $1,835 1 bottle 40 ec $1,835
Tnazophos
Water $1,500 10 gallons $1,500
Consumtion
Miscellaneous $500 $500
Total $5,605

The Actual Surplus is $5,605.

Actual Surplus/Loss

Actual Income: $9,375

Actual Expenditure: $5605

Actual Surplus: $3770

The Actual Surplus is $3770

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

Analysis

Projected Income vs. Actual Income

The Actual Income for Cucumber Crop Production was $9375, this
exceeded the projected Income by $6000 by $3375.

This can be noted from the cucumber plants that were sown, (15 in all)
were expected to produce approximately 20 cucumbers per plant, a total of
300 cucumbers.

However, with good fertilizer and watering, the 15 cucumber plants

produced a total of 375 cucumbers. Approximately 5 more cucumber per
plant but 75 more than expected.

Thus, it can be concluded that the Cucumber crop was well nurtured and
resulted in a high and healthy production, and a good income.

Projected Expenditure vs. Actual Expenditure

Item Projected Actual Difference

Manure $300 $500 $200(-)
Miscellaneous $2,000 $500 $1,500(+)
Plastic Bags $300 - $300(+)
Total $1600

The above table clearly illustrates the difference in actual expenditure and
projected expenditure. It demonstrates that the crop enterprise was well
managed and that there was no overspending. The fact that the projected
miscellaneous expenses were saved, showed practical management,
therefore this budget was a good one,

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

General Comments

The Cucumbers were grown from seeds directly sown into a carefully
prepared bed. They were ideally spread 40 cm away and 90 cm between
rows. Because of the weather, the bed was watered at least 2 times a day.
Fertilizers were added at different stages of growth to supply the nutrients
required.

Conclusion

A Cucumber Crop was cultivated at Queen’s College in the Agricultural

Science Plot and it was successful.

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009

 Criteria for Marking Cost Analysis
Item Description KC Marks Total
1. Research A short description of the project 1
Question with objectives
2. An abstract Précis of what was done 1
Results 1
3. Literature Relevance to topic 1
Review Depth 1
4.Research Relevance to topic 1
Methodology Choice of method 1
5.Results Accuracy 1
Totality 1
6.Data Analysis Statistical Method 1
Relevance to Project 1
Accuracy 1
Depth 1
7. Discussion Relevance to Results 1
Depth 1
8. Conclusion and Relevance to Discussion 1
Recommendation Relevance to objectives 1
s
9. Relevance to objectives 1
Communication Topical 1
of information in
a logical manner
using correct
grammar.
Total 20

Adelaja Dalrymple Agriculture Science S.B.A 2009