POTENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY OF CUCUMBER AS AFFECTED BY IRRIGATION WATER AMOUNTS AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION AT NORTHWEST DELTA, EGYPT

Abstract

Two field experiments with cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.; var. Prince) were carried out during 2007 and 2008 growing seasons on sandy loam soil, at Wady Elnatroon, El-Behera governorate in Northwest Delta to investigate the most suitable irrigation water amount and nitrogen rates for cucumber grown under drip irrigation method. The treatments were arranged in a split plot design with four replicates. Four amounts of irrigation water were daily applied on a base of 100%, 90%, 80% and 70% of ETc with four nitrogen rates i.e. control, 50, 100 and 150 kg N fed-1. Chief results indicated that cucumber yield were 18.357, 17.474, 14.660 and 12.820 ton fed.-1 with irrigation water quantities 100%, 90%, 80% and 70% of ETc, respectively. Irrigation with 100% of ETc and fertilized with 150 kg N produced the highest fruit yield (23.221 ton fed-1.), while, the lowest fruit yield (8.003 ton fed-1.), obtained from control treatment which irrigated with 70% of ETc. The highest value of nitrogen use efficiency (147.54 kg fruits kg-1 applied N) was obtained under treatments of 100% of ETc with 50 kg N fed.-1. While, the lowest value (9.30 kg fruits kg-1 applied N) was obtained from 70% of ETc with 150 kg N fed.-1. Amounts of irrigation water applied were 50.00, 45.24, 40.48 and 35.71 cm for 100%, 90%, 80% and 70% of ETc, respectively. Seasonal water consumption of cucumber was 44.54, 40.16, 35.96 and 32.08 cm for irrigation treatments irrigated with 100%, 90%, 80% and 70% of ETc, respectively. Irrigation with 90% of ETc enhanced crop growth and field water use efficiency of cucumber plants as compared to other treatments. It could be concluded for obtaining a good cucumber yield and facing the irrigation water shortage, daily irrigation with 90% of ETc must be added with 150 kg N fed-1.