Effects of a Chelate (DTPA) on Cucumber Growth and Soil Chemical Properties in Nutrient-accumulated Soil of Polytunnel Greenhouse

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a chelating agent on cucumber growth and changes in soil nutrients availability in polytunnel greenhouse fields. Diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) was selected as a chelating agent. Two experiments were carried out as follows: i) For field experiment in the autumn season of 2010, each plot was treated by varying the concentration and the number of times being applied with DTPA; [DTPA (0.5 mM, 1 time/3 months), DTPA (0.06 mM, 1 time/1 week), DTPA (0.13 mM, 1 time/2 weeks), DTPA (0.06 mM, 1 time/1 week)+N]. Conventional practice was also investigated. ii) In the spring and summer seasons of 2011, each plot was treated by varying the concentration (0, 0.06, 0.13, 0.19 mM) of DTPA, chemical fertilizers (NPK), and combination of chemical fertilizers and DTPA 0.06 mM. The fruit yields of cucumber and soil chemical properties had no significant differences between treatments. However, in the spring season of 2011, DTPA 0.06 mM plot added 1 time per 2 weeks increased the yield of cucumber, but caused the reduction of yield in next cultivation season. This result showed that excess use of DTPA can cause the damage of crop growth. The inorgainc contents such as Ca and Mg absorbed by cucumber plant had significant differences between DTPA 0.19 mM (2 times/1 week) and fertilizers plus DTPA treatments [DTPA 0.06 mM (2 times/1 week) + 1/2 NPK, DTPA 0.06 mM (2 times/1 week) + NPK]. The input cost of fertilizers was saved when the concentration and the number of times added with DTPA was 0.06 mM and 1 time a week, respectively. This treatment used 67% less of applied fertilizers cost than the plot of conventional practice did. Thus, this research suggested that the application of DTPA 0.06 mM by 1 time a week can be effective for sustainability of crop production and reduction of fertilizers usage in polytunnel greenhouse.