Effects of micronutrients and timing of application on the agronomic and yield characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Paper Details
Effects of micronutrients and timing of application on the agronomic and yield characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Abstract
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is the most cultivated vegetable worldwide due to its high nutritional value and versatility. As a major economic crop, it plays a critical role in human diets and numerous industries. A key challenge in cucumber production is flower abortion, which, similar to sweet pepper, can be very high, with rates reaching 70–80% of all flowers, substantially impacting yield and fruit quality. This study evaluated the effects of different types of micronutrients and it’s timing of application on the agronomic and yield characteristics of cucumber cultivated in South Cotabato, Philippines. Conducted from February to April 2025 under a factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates, the research measured key parameters including growth, productivity, yield, fruit quality parameters, and a cost-return analysis. Zinc treatments when applied during vegetative stage, resulted in the greatest number of pistillate flowers (25.17) and fruits per plant (11.53), as well as the highest production of graded fruits. Both Boron and Zinc alone minimized flower abscission rates (~53%) and maintained fruit set rates. Boron excelled in increasing total fruit weight (5.32 kg) and marketable fruit weight (3.62 kg). Zinc also enhanced fruit quality through increased TSS (8.82 °Brix). These results demonstrate that micronutrient selection and application timing critically influence cucumber production outcomes. The findings suggest split application strategy integrating Zinc and Boron timed to balance vegetative growth and reproductive success. For future studies, investigations should elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which micronutrients modulate flower abscission and setting in cucumber.
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