DRIP IRRIGATION AND FERTIGATION OF PICKLING CUCUMBER

Balanced growth and development of pickling cucumber demands adequate supply of water and nutrients.
This research aimed at increasing the yield and quality of pickling cucumber by optimising the drip irrigation and fertilisation practices.
Drip irrigation was applied.
Different soil moisture thresholds for starting irrigation (suction -150, -300 and -600 hPa, measured by tensiometers) were compared.
In another experiment, different fertilisation programmes, comprising of pre-planting fertilisation and fertigation, were compared and N, P and K uptake was measured.
It is recommended to start irrigation at the suction of -150 to -300 hPa.
Fertilisation with 120-140 kg ha^-1 of nitrogen is usually sufficient for producing high yield.
In years with optimal growing conditions, a higher nitrogen dose may increase yield by 5-10%. Nitrogen and potassium are recommended for fertigation, while other nutrients can be applied in pre-planting fertilisation.
The average nutrient uptake in yield of 71-75 t ha^-1 was 88-106 kg ha^-1 of N, 21-25 kg ha^-1 of P and 157-163 kg ha^-1 of K in 2001-2003, respectively.

International Symposium Towards Ecologically Sound Fertilisation Strategies for Field Vegetable Production

T. Suojala, T. Salo, J. Pulkkinen

Cucumis sativus, fertilisation, nitrogen, nutrients, soil moisture

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2006.700.25