Evaluation of indigenous organic growing media for quality and cost-effective seedling production of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under naturally ventilated polyhouse

The present study evaluated the suitability of locally available organic growing media for cost-effective seedling production of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions in the temperate region of Uttarakhand, India. Fourteen treatments comprising soil (S), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), forest litter (FL), and their combinations were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Forty-days-old seedlings were assessed for seedling growth traits, followed by transplanting for evaluation of plant growth and fruit yield parameters. Significant differences among treatments were observed for most seedling and yield attributes. The maximum pooled seedling length (18.53 cm) and fresh seedling weight (4.39 g) were recorded in the Soil + FYM + FL medium, whereas the highest root length (9.76 cm) and seed emergence (90.84%) were observed in FYM alone. Plants raised from seedlings grown in FYM + VC + FL recorded the highest pooled fruit yield (5.31 kg per plant) and average fruit weight (2.05 kg). Economic analysis indicated that FYM alone generated the highest net return is (` 101,707.36) with a benefit:cost ratio of 3.09, while vermicompost alone resulted in the lowest profitability. The findings suggest that locally available organic substrates, particularly FYM and its combinations with forest litter and vermicompost, can effectively improve cucumber seedling quality, fruit yield, and economic returns under protected cultivation.