Effect of Drip Irrigation Levels on Yield of Salad Cucumber under Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the yield response of salad cucumber under different drip irrigation levels to determine the most suitable irrigation requirement for salad cucumber grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse. Drip irrigation applied at the rate of 2 litre plant-1 day-1 to the control plants was reduced by 5, 20, 35 and 50% by applying corresponding irrigation rates of 1.9, 1.6, 1.3 and 1 litre plant-1 day-1 under different treatments. Lowering irrigation level to 65% sustained the production and increased water use efficiency without decreasing the yield of cucumber. However, irrigation level of less than 65% reduced the yield without increasing water use efficiency. The maximum fruit number (49), fruit weight (7.194 kg plant-1) and fruit yield (88.8 t ha-1) were obtained from drip irrigation level of 65% (1.3 litre plant-1 day-1) and the lowest fruit number (35), fruit weight (5.043 kg plant-1) and fruit yield (62.26 t ha-1) from drip irrigation level of 50% (1 litre plant-1 day-1), with the lowest water application rate. Irrigation treatments had significant effects (P < 0.05) on yield. However, interaction within groups was found to be non significant. There were significant positive correlations (P < 0.01) between fruit number, fruit weight and fruit yield. The total quantity of water applied through 65% drip irrigation level was 144.4 mm and which showed 35 per cent water saving over control with highest water use efficiency (6148.31 kg ha-1 cm-1) and Benefit Cost (BC) ratio (3.41).

Effect of Drip Irrigation Frequency, N-Fertilization, and Mulching on Yield, Nitrogen, and Water Use Efficiencies of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Ikole-Ekiti, Nigeria

“…The highest WUE, 13.45 and 13.66 kg/ha/mm in 2018 and 2019, respectively, was obtained from the combination of twice-weekly water application with mulching and fertilizer (I4MF) while the lowest was from four-times weekly watering with mulching and fertilizer (I4MF), for both seasons. Some researchers have also reported maximal WUE values for cucumber under reduced irrigation conditions (Abdul Hakkim & Jisha Chand, 2014;Hashem, Medany, Abd El-Moniem, & Abdallah, 2011;Kirnak & Demirtas, 2006). The results from the present study also confirmed that water productivity under a mulching/-water-saving strategy was higher under lower irrigation (I4) than with full or excess water application.…”

Factors Affecting the Performance of Greenhouse Cucumber Cultivation-A Review

“…This enhanced the vegetative growth of cucumber and almost doubled its productivity compared to the surface furrow irrigation (SFI) (Yaghi et al, 2013). According to Hakkim and Chand (2014), the total quantity of water applied through 65% drip irrigation level showed 35% water saving over control with highest WUE (6148.31 kg ha -1 cm -1 ).…”

“…Hakkim and Chand (2014), has mentioned a benefit cost (BC) ratio of 3.41 in cucumber production in a naturally ventilated greenhouse.…”

Biometrical and Biochemical Properties of Fruits of Mini Cucumber Plants Grown Under Various Irrigation Regimes in an Unheated Greenhouse

“…The author concluded that the proper amount of water application boosts the vigorous growth of cucumber, which eventually increases the number of fruit per plant. In a similar way, Hakkim and Chand [2014] recorded . Biometrical and biochemical properties of fruits of mini cucumber plants grown under various irrigation regimes in an unheated greenhouse.…”