Effect of nutrient solution electrical conductivity on cucumber growth and yield in controlled pot soil cultivation

Minkyung KIM; M.G. RABBANI; Mewuleddeg ZEBRO; Ki-Young CHOI

doi:10.15835/nbha53314548

Authors

Minkyung KIM Kangwon National University Graduate School, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Industries, Chuncheon, 24341 (KR)
M.G. RABBANI Kangwon National University Graduate School, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Industries, Chuncheon, 24341 (KR)
Mewuleddeg ZEBRO Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Horticulture and Plant Sciences, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia; Kangwon National University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Smart Farm and Agricultural Industry, Chuncheon 24341 (KR)
Ki-Young CHOI Kangwon National University Graduate School, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Industries, Chuncheon, 24341; Kangwon National University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Smart Farm and Agricultural Industry, Chuncheon 24341 (KR)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53314548

Keywords:

electrolyte leakage, drainage rate, irrigation volume, photosynthesis rate, water use efficiency

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of different electrical conductivity (EC) levels on cucumber growth and yield in pot soil under controlled conditions. Four EC treatments were tested: control, T1 (0.5 dS·m^-¹), T2 (1.5 dS·m^-¹), and T3 (2.5 dS·m^-¹), over a 53-day period. Irrigation and drainage dynamics were monitored alongside plant growth, fruit production, and leaf gas exchange. Plants in T2 and T3 required higher irrigation volumes but showed lower drainage rates (16.4%-17.2%), whereas the control and T1 required less irrigation but had higher drainage (24.8%-29.0%). Nutrient leaching was most pronounced in T3 at 51 days after treatment (DAT). Growth and yield parameters were significantly influenced by EC treatments: the highest plant height, leaf area, and fruit fresh weight were observed in T2 and T3 at 53 DAT, while T3 reduced fruit number and quality. Photosynthetic rate peaked in T3 (12.7 µmol m^-² s^-¹) but was associated with lower drainage pH and higher electrolyte leakage. In contrast, T2 improved overall growth and yield performance. Water use efficiency (WUE) was highest in T2 (2.82 g L^-¹) and lowest in T1 (2.22 g L^-¹). The highest Fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) was observed in T1 and the lowest in T3. Principal component analysis revealed that traits such as fruit fresh weight, fruit dry weight, leaf length, leaf width, leaf fresh weight, and leaf dry weight were strongly associated with T2. These findings demonstrate that a moderate EC level of 1.5 dS·m^-¹ optimizes cucumber productivity in controlled pot soil cultivation.

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