Agronomic Practices Improved Cucumber Productivity, Nutrients Uptake and Quality

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production needs moderately low quantity of nitrogen (N) and higher amount of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Cucumbers produce quality fruits in soils where N, P and K ratio are moderately equal. Cucumber production under high tunnels with same ratio of nutrients application may enhance profitability and productivity. Experiments were undertaken in high tunnels to evaluate crop efficiency, productivity and nutritional content. In this experiment, the cucumber cultivar Rohini-F1 was used as test crop. N, P and K fertilizers were administered at the rates of 70N:80P:70K kg ha⁻¹ at 0 (F0, fertilization once during seedbed preparation) and at 15 (F1), 30 (F2), and 45 (F3) day intervals with complete dose application. After each 30 day interval, F2 had the highest marketable yield. F1 produced high-quality fruits with Grade‑A, followed by F2 and F3, while F0 produced fruits with Grade‑C. F2 had the largest cucumber density, F0 had the highest moisture percentage, F2 had the highest chlorophyll content in leaves, and F1, F2, and F3 had the longest shelf-life, all of which were larger than F0. The F1 interval had the greatest levels of N, P, and K in fruit of all treatments. F1 had the highest level of N in the vines, whereas F2 had the highest level of P and K. Total NPK uptake was as follows: F1 > F2 > F3 > F0.