Yield and Mineral Content of Hydroponically Grown Mini-Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) as Affected by Reduced Nutrient Concentration and Foliar Fertilizer Application

Abstract

Nutrient application is one of the major inputs required for hydroponic production of cucumbers. Reduced nutrient solution concentration with supplementary foliar fertilizer application may maintain yield and quality of mini-cucumber, while decreasing the production costs. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of foliar fertilizer in combination with reduced nutrient concentrations on the yield and quality of hydroponically grown mini-cucumber in a plastic tunnel. Mini-cucumber plants were grown in sawdust, fertigated with nutrient solutions containing 100% (control), 75%, 50%, or 25% of the recommended nutrient concentration (NC) and two foliar fertilizer applications (no foliar and foliar application). The highest fresh and dry weight of mini-cucumber plants were obtained with 75% and 100% NC and decreased with 50% to 25% NC application. The number of marketable fruit and marketable yield on mini-cucumbers increased with 75% to 100% NC, followed by 50% NC, as compared with 25% NC. Deformed fruit were significantly lower at 25% NC than at 50%, 75%, and 100% NC. Foliar fertilizer application did not have an effect on mini-cucumber yield, but reduced the yellowing of fruit. Fruit mineral content (P, Fe, and Mn) was significantly improved by 100% NC. Improvement in yield at 75% and 100% NC was as a result of improved plant height, leaf chlorophyll content, plant fresh and dry weight, and the increase in nutrient uptake of N, P, K, and Mn, which was evident in the analysis of cucumber leaves. The reduced NC of 75% can maintain yield and quality of mini-cucumbers, whereas the application of foliar fertilizer had a limited effect.