Growth and Developmental Parameters, Quality and Productivity of Cucumber as Affected by K: Ca Ratios of Nutrient Solution in Soilless System

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Yaser Javan
• Mohammad Javad Nazarideljou

Islamic Azad University of Mahabad

https://doi.org/10.22067/jhorts4.v32i3.60489

Abstract

Introduction: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important fruit crops and cultivation in soilless condition may help to improve the quality and productivity. Due to susceptibility of cucumber to climate condition, the cultivation should be done under precise consideration. Nutrient uptake by plant is greatly affected by the concentration, as well as by the elements ration, especially the cations. Calcium and potassium play an important role in crops biology, functions, quality, and productivity. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different K: Ca ratios on quality and productivity of cucumber cv. ‘Negin’ to determine the best K: Ca ratio.
Material and Methods: This experiment was done in a hydroponic greenhouse with polyethylene cover. Day/night temperatures were 26±2 and 19±2, respectively. Relative humidity was adjusted at 55-60%. A pot experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with three replications (9 plants/rep). Treatments included K: Ca ratios (2, 1.5, 1, 0.7, and 0.5). Cucumber cv. ‘Negin’ was treated with above-mentioned K: Ca ratios in an open soilless system equipped with drippers and plants were fertigated basis on Steiner nutrition formula. The culture medium was coco-fibre: perlite (1:1 v/v). Morpho-physiological, as well as biochemical parameters of cultivated plants including, plant fresh and dry weigh, leaf area, root volume, fruit length and weight, total carbohydrates, total phenol, vitamin C content, and fruit yield were determined.
Results and Discussion: Results indicated that morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters, also, plant fresh and dry weight of cucumber cv. ʽNegin’ were significantly affected by application of different K: Ca ratios in nutrient solution (P

Keywords

• Hydroponics
• Nutrients ration
• Total carbohydrate
• vitamin C

20.1001.1.20084730.1397.32.3.3.6

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