Effect of Nutrient Management Systems on Crop Growth Rate and Net Assimilation Rate of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L, var Beit Alpha) Cultivated under Poly House Condition

An experiment was conducted in two consequent years Viz., 2011 and 2012 to study the effect nutrient management systems on growth, yield and quality attributes of cucumber (var. Beit Alpha) cultivated under Polyhouse condition. The results revealed that the application of 125% RDF applied through water soluble fertilizer and foliar application of Micro nutrients significantly influenced the crop Growth Rate and Net Assimilation Rate of cucumber cultivated in Polyhouse condition. The maximum Crop Growth Rate (2.04 g⁻¹ m² day⁻¹ and 1.81 g⁻¹ m² day⁻¹) were recorded in the treatment G3 M4 (125% RDF through Water Soluble fertigation + Foliar application of Micronutrient) during the years 2011 and 2012 respectively. The lowest Crop Growth Rate were observed in Control (1.11 g⁻¹ m² day⁻¹ and 1.05 g⁻¹ m² day¹during the years 2011 and 2012 respectively). The maximum Net Assimilation Rate (1.39 g⁻¹ m² day⁻¹ and 1.54 g⁻¹ m² day⁻¹) were recorded in the treatment combination G3 M4 (125% RDF through Water Soluble fertigation + Foliar application of Micronutrient) during the years 2011 and 2012 respectively. The lowest Net Assimilation Rate were observed in the Control (0.75 g⁻¹ m² day⁻¹ and 0.82 g¹ m² day⁻¹)during 2011 and 2012 respectively.