Original scientific paper

Selection of substrate for cucumbers soilless culture

Božidar Benko ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zavod za povrćarstvo,
Sanja Fabek ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zavod za povrćarstvo,
Renata Baričević ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zavod za povrćarstvo,
Josip Borošić ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zavod za povrćarstvo,
Bruno Novak ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zavod za povrćarstvo,
Nina Toth ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zavod za povrćarstvo,
Ivanka Žutić ; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zavod za povrćarstvo,

Abstract

The study aimed at determining the substrates suitability for cucumber hydroponic cultivation was carried out by testing four substrates (rockwool, perlite, coconut fibers and peat). Three cucumber cultivars were grown (Caman, Ekron, and Y-225). Planting with plant density of 1.7 plants per m2 was done on April 28th. Harvest started on May 22nd and till July 20th 21 harvests were done. Weight, length and diameter of marketable fruits, marketable yield and the unmarketable fruits share were determined during the harvest. Substrate type significantly affected the fruit length, while the cultivars differed significantly in fruit weight and diameter. The highest marketable yield was obtained at coconut fibers (6.355 kg per plant), and rockwool (6.090 kg per plant) and it was significantly lower at peat and perlite (4.878 and 4.529 kg per plant). All three cultivars grown at coconut fibers and rockwool achieved the highest yield. The lowest yield was achieved by cultivar Y-225 at the perlite. The share of unmarketable fruits was similar at all substrates (5.65 to 7.30 %), while the cultivar Y-225 developed significantly lower share than the other two. At different interactions, unmarketable fruits share varied from 1.75 to 9.78 %. Based on the one year research results it can be concluded that the rockwool and coconut fibers are suitable substrates for the cucumber soilless culture. These substrates provide a high yield of marketable fruits with good morphometric properties and the unmarketable fruits share below 10 %.

Keywords

Cucumis sativus L.; rockwool; coco fibers; perlite; peat; yield

Hrčak ID:

163271

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/163271

Publication date:

4.3.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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