Growth and photosynthesis of cucumber in response to substrate moisture and potassium application levels

Effects of substrate moisture and the application level of potassium fertilizer on the growth and chlorophyll content of leaves,as well as the photosynthesis and the yield were investigated with cucumber variety Lufeng. As the substrate moisture content decreased from 95% to 35%,the chlorophyll contents of leaves were increased,however,the photosynthesis,the growth and the yield were significantly inhibited. As potassium fertilizer application increased from 3g to75 g per bucket,the growth,the leaf chlorophyll contents,the photosynthesis as well as the yield were improved first but then declined. The cucumber reached the highest production at the potassium level of 20 g per bucket which were 13. 98% 、15. 28% and 35. 61% higher than those at the levels of 3 g,45 g,and 75 g per bucket. In conclusion,the substrate of95% and the potassium application level at 20 g per bucket was the most suitable for cucumber growth and yield improvement.