Abstract
In the recent years, biochar has been used as an organic soil amendment. Therefore, this study was undertaken in April 2016 to July 2017 to examine the effect of different biochar addition (BA) rates and deficit irrigation (DI) on quality characteristics of cucumber under greenhouse conditions over two consecutive growing seasons. The BA treatments were B0 (0-ton ha-1), B1 (10-ton ha-1and B2 (20-ton ha-1), while the DI treatments were 1.0 (W1), 0.60 (W2) and 0.40 (W3) of the reference evapotranspiration (ET0). The results obtained elaborated that the combination of B2W1 gave the maximum values of fruit weight (g), fruit water content (%), fruit dry biomass (g) and pH in the both seasons. On the other hand, W2 and W3 increased significantly titratable acidity (TA %) and total soluble solid (TSS %). It was possible to conclude that BA with DI might be a novel approach to improve both crop yield and fruit quality.
Highlights
Success of any greenhouse vegetable system relies on the production of greater fruit yields and better fruit quality (RODRIGUEZ et al, 2007)
Results showed that vitamin C (Vc) content increased under deficit irrigation (DI) treatments with slight increase by biochar addition (BA)
These results are in agreement with the findings of AGABNA et al (2017) who found that reduced water supply increases Vc and TA% in tomato
Summary
Success of any greenhouse vegetable system relies on the production of greater fruit yields and better fruit quality (RODRIGUEZ et al, 2007). The yield and quality of crops are dependent on a number of factors including good land management (soil amendments and the amount of water) and agronomic practices (RAO et al, 2016). Cucumber fruit yields were found to be highly affected by the deficit irrigation (DI) MAO et al (2003). An organic matter, has been used for soil amendment to improve soil structures and fertility. Biochar amended soils showed advantages due to their carbon stability and releasing nutrients, results in an increased crop productivity and soil production (LIU et al, 2012). Beside biochar addition (BA), DI strategies are considered to save irrigation water as well as sustaining crop production. More research is needed for the improvement of DI on vegetables
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