INFLUENCE OF SOME MINERAL NUTRIENTS FOR CHILLING TOLERANCE ON CUCUMBER SEEDLINGS UNDER PROTECTED CULTIVATION CONDITION

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv.
Pasendra F₁) seedlings at the two true leaf stage were used to test the mineral nutrient protection of chilled plants.
Seedlings were foliar sprayed with the mineral nutrient solutions at concentrations of 50 mM for NaCl, KCl and 25 mM for CaCl₂ and 10 mM for ZnCl₂. Two days after spraying, plants were chilled at 6°C day/night in a cold-room for seven days.
Leaf conductivity was measured during the seven days of chilling period.

Results showed that the injury was more pronounced with the control chilled plants and treated plants showed less electrolyte leakage.
Moreover, treatment with NaCl (50 mM), KCl (50 mM), CaCl₂ (25 mM) and ZnCl₂ (10 mM) had approximately the same effect on decreasing the injury and it was significantly different in comparison to control chilled plants.
Meanwhile, treated plants were taller and have a higher total chlorophyll content compared with non treated chilled plants.
Transpiration tends to increase with the plants treated by mineral nutrient.
These results suggested that mineral nutrient treatments may be used to increase the tolerance to chilling stress.

International Symposium Greenhouse Management for Better Yield & Quality in Mild Winter Climates

S.M. Singer, Y.I. Helmy, S.O. El-Abd

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.491.26