Articles
CUCUMBER EXPERIMENTS ON MINERAL WOOL; SIZES OF MATS AND IRRIGATION FREQUENCIES
In 1975, two different makes, Rockwool and Gullfiber, were tested with nonsignificant differences in results.
Three sizes of mats 30 x 7.5 cm, 30 x 10 cm and 45 x 7.5 cm were compared.
After a harvest period of 23 weeks the 30 x 10 cm mat gave a lower yield than the other sizes.
The difference was 8–9%, but was not statistically significant.
In 1976, three sizes 30 x 5, 30 x 7.5 and 30 x 10 cm were compared.
The thin mat (30 x 5 cm) gave a smaller yield than the thicker (7–8%) one, but not statistically significant.
In this experiments different irrigation frequencies were studied.
The same volume of nutritional solution, 4 litres per plant and day, were given and distributed 3, 5 and 9 times a day.
Nine times a day gave early yield in all sizes and the highest yield in the thinner mats.
In the thicker one (30 x 10 cm), five times a day gave the same yield.
There is a relationship between size of mat and frequency of irrigation for optimal yield.
The size 30 x 7.5 cm and relative many irrigations per day can be recommended.