Effect of different growing media and fertigation levels on production of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under protected conditions in the hills

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2007–08 to study the effect of growing media and fertigation levels on the cucumber

(Cucumis sativus L.) production and its quality when grown in the low-cost plastic greenhouse. The whole experimentwas arranged over 9 treatments consisting of 3 growing media M0 (soil), M1 (soil:farmyard manure:sand) and M2(soil:vermicompost:sand) in the ratio of 2:1:1 and 3 fertigation levels [F1 (100 kg NPK/ha), F2 (200 kg NPK/ha), F3(300 kg NPK/ha)]. Interaction effects of growing media and fertigation levels showed significant effect for most of thecharacters except days to marketable maturity and fruit weight. It is revealed that growing media M2 comprisingsoil:vermocompost:sand (2:1:1) along with fertigation level F3 @ 300 kg NPK/ha is highly suitable for growing cucumberin naturally ventilated polyhouse in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh for off-season production during August–Decemberand February–June. The results indicated an increased yield of 8.33 kg/plant and 16.66 kg m2 with superior quality inthe treatment comprising soil: vermicompost: sand (2:1:1) as growing media and fertigation with 300 kg NPK/ha.