Response of Cucumber to Fertigation Under Drip Irrigation System

A field experiment was conducted at water management project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during summer 2005 on clay loam soil with cucumber (cv. Himangi). Amongest growth attributes, number of leaves, vine length, number of primary branches, dry matter accumulation per plant, days required for first flowering and internodes at which first flower appear were significantly influenced by levels of nitrogen and number of splits. Significantly higher values of these parameters were recorded with 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (100 kg N/ha) through fertigation with 8 splits. The length, girth and density of fruits increased with increase in fertilizer levels and number of splits, while fruit weight did not show any remarkable difference. Number of fruits per plant (10.40), yield of fruits (2.166 kg/plant) and (255.03 q/ha) were recorded as significantly higher with 100% RDN through drip irrigation with 8 splits. Drip method of irrigation showed lower values of water requirement with an improvement in water use efficiency (10.13 q/ha cm). The treatment, 100% RDN through fertigation with 8 number of splits recorded the maximum net returns (Rs. 71465.6/ha) with benefit cost ratio of 3.34.