Cucumber Growth and Nitrogen Uptake as Affected by Solution Temperature and NO3-:NH4+Ratios during the Seedling

Abstract

The effect of solution temperature and nitrogen form on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth, photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism was investigated in hydroponic culture. Cucumber plants were grown for 35 days in a greenhouse at three constant solution temperatures (<TEX>$15^{\circ}C$</TEX>, <TEX>$20^{\circ}C$</TEX>, and <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>) within a natural aerial temperature (<TEX>$15-30^{\circ}C$</TEX>). Four nitrate:ammonium (<TEX>$NO{_3}^-:NH{_4}^+$</TEX>) ratios (10:0, 8:2, 5:5, and 2:8 <TEX>$mmol{\cdot}L^{-1}$</TEX>) at constant nitrogen (N) concentration of <TEX>$10mmol{\cdot}L^{-1}$</TEX> were applied within each solution temperature treatment. Results showed an increasing solution temperature enhanced plant growth (height, dry weight, and leaf area) in most N treatments. Dry weight accumulation was greatest at the 10:0 <TEX>$NO{_3}^-:NH{_4}^+$</TEX> ratio in the <TEX>$15^{\circ}C$</TEX> solution, the 5:5 ratio in the <TEX>$20^{\circ}C$</TEX> solution and the 8:2 ratio in the <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX> solution. Photosynthetic rate (Pn) response to solution temperature and <TEX>$NO{_3}^-:NH{_4}^+$</TEX> ratio was similar to that of plant growth. Probably, the photosynthate shortage played a role in the reduced biomass formation. Increasing solution temperature enhanced the nitrate reductase (NR) activity, and further reduced shoots nitrate content. Our results indicate that the optimal ratio of nitrate to ammonium that promotes growth in hydroponic cucumber varies with solution temperature.