FERTIGATION, FERTILIZER AND SPACING REQUIREMENT OF TROPICAL GYNOECIOUS CUCUMBER HYBRIDS

Abstract

In fertigation experiment on tropical gynoecious cucumber hybrid - Phule Prachi, maximum number of fruits/vine, fruit weight (g), yield/ plant (kg) and yield/ha (t) were recorded when 150: 90: 90 kg NPK/ha was applied through fertigation. Significantly highest yield of 49.039 t/ha was recorded in this treatment. In this yield level was 81.2 per cent higher than the control. The dry matter accumulation in the plant during the crop period showed that there was linear increase in dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorus content with increase in fertilizer level. However, there was no effect on potash content of plant. The maximum uptake of nitrogen and potash was recorded with treatment 150:90:90 kg NPK/ha through drip. This dose showed the better uptake of N, P and K 136.59, 24.83 and 92.24 kg/ ha respectively. The application of fertilizers through drip (fertigation) was found superior to sole solid fertilizer application, under furrow and drip irrigation method. In another experiment 18 treatment combinations resultant of three spacings (1.80 m x 0.30 m, 1.80 m x 0.45 m, 1.80 m x 0.60 m), three straight fertilizers (100:75:75, 150:100:100, 200:125:125 kg NPK/ha) and two tropical gynoecious hybrids (Phule Prachi and Phule Champa) were studied to find out the spacing and fertilizer requirement of cucumber hybrids. Maximum number of fruits/vine, yield/vine, yield/ha, vine length, content of nutrients in the plant after harvesting and minimum residues of nutrients in the soil were recorded in 1.80 m x 0 45 m spacing. Maximum vine length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, number of fruits/vine, yield/vine and yield/ ha, and maximum nutrient content in the crop and minimum nutrient residues in the soil after harvest were recorded when 200:125:125 kg NPK/ ha was applied.