Assessment of sustainable and biodegradable agricultural substrates for eminence production of cucumber for kitchen gardening

Abstract

Purpose Different agricultural substrates were evaluated for growth and productivity of cucumber under pot culture for kitchen gardening. Methods Several agricultural substrates such as leaf compost, compost, perlite, and coconut compost were used in with silt in several combinations. Seeds were sown in plastic pots of 9-L capacity and filled with growing substrates in various combinations. The study consisted of eight treatments; each treatment had four replicates. Results Use of different growing media alone or in combination significantly enhanced plant growth and productivity, compared to control. Results showed that maximum germination, plant growth, emergence percentage, gas exchange attributes, shoot/root length, shoot fresh and dry biomass, root fresh and dry biomass, no. of leaves, leaf mineral contents, and chlorophyll concentration and yield was noted in the plants grown in leaf compost + perlite + silt (1:1:1) media combination. In case of proline contents, all treatment combinations showed non-significant; but, NPK status varied because of the presence of organic matter in substrates that ultimately enhanced the nutrient uptake of cucumber plants. Conclusions Although all media either alone or in combination positively influenced different studied parameters of cucumber, but, leaf compost + perlite + silt (1:1:1) combination was the best. Therefore, leaf compost + perlite + silt (1:1:1) media combination could be considered suitable for the cucumber cultivation in the form of kitchen gardening.

Nutrient Uptake, Growth, Yield and Quality of Cucumber Grown in Various Growing Media

“…13). These findings are in accordance to the report of Sarwar et al (2018) who reported that cucumber plants in growing media containing leaf silt, compost and perlite in equal proportion compared to those grown in silt gave highest yield. Rashwan et al (2021) reported that fruit size, weight and over all yield of cucumber and summer squash increased in media containing 15% tomato waste compost compared to control that partially support result of this study.…”

“…Increase in seedling length and fresh weight of seedling due to usage of compost has already been described by Bustamante et al (2008), andHerrera et al (2008) in different vegetable crops. Sarwar et al (2018) also found increased seedling length and shoot weight of cucumber plants grown in growing media containing leaf silt, compost and perlite compared to those grown in silt.…”

“…Banan in two media containing peatmoss (35%) + perlite (40%) + vermicompost (25%) and peatmoss (35%)+ perlite (40%)+ vermicompost (25%)+ coco-peat (25%). Sarwar et al (2018) recommended media containing silt:leaf compost:perlite in 1:1:1 ratio for kitchen gardening of cucumber.…”

Assesment of Growth and Productivity of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) Genotypes Under Salt Stress Regime

“…Some vegetables i.e., onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are sensitive to salinity (Yamaguchi and Blumwald, 2005;Sarwar et al, 2017). Stepien and Klobus (2006) and Sarwar et al (2018) stated that cucumber considered is an important vegetable for human nutrition and diet and it is source of vitamins and dietary fiber; it has been used for 3,000 years in its native areas of Asia and Africa (Gopalan et al, 1982). But melicious impact of salt stress on cucumber crop caused a severe reduction in crop growth and yield (El-shraiy et al, 2011; Sarwar et al, 2016Sarwar et al, , 2017.…”

Organic matter content in riparian areas of soil composed of woody vegetation and grass and its effects on pesticide adsorption

“…The interaction, presence, or removal of pesticides in the soil, as well as effective action for which the product is applied, are aspects influenced by different physical, chemical, and biological processes (McBride 1994;Freire et al 2004;Coelho and Bernardo 2012). These processes often occur simultaneously, resulting in the complexity of this relationship pesticide-soil (Reemtsma et al 1999;Lavorenti et al 2003;Sarwar et al 2018).…”