Effect of foliar application of boron, iron and zinc on growth, yield and economics of cucumber grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse condition

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar application of boron, iron and zinc on growth, yield and economics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse condition during Kharif season, 2018 in the polyhouse located at College campus, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. The experiment was carried out under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and 15 treatments. The important growth and yield parameters encompassed in the study viz., node at first flower appear (5.44), days to first flowering (27.90), days to 50% flowering (38.75), days to first picking (44.19), number of nodes plant- 1 (55.62), number of leaves plant⁻¹ (62.83), leaf area (523.47 cm²), fruit set (60.26%), vine length (4.36 m), number of fruits plant⁻¹ (27.97), fruit length (18.67 cm), fruit diameter (4.46 cm), fruit girth (12.57 cm), average fruit weight (144.05 g), fruit volume (139.93 cc), fruit yield (4.02 kg plant⁻¹ and 67.00 t ha⁻¹), biological yield plant⁻¹ (5.74 kg), harvest index (70.03%) and harvest duration (58.29 days) were significantly superior with the combine foliar application of Zinc 30 ppm + Boron 40 ppm (T₁₅) followed by Zinc 30 ppm + Boron 20 ppm (T₁₄). Net return (Rs. 628660.38) and B: C ratio (3.58) was concerned maximum with the combine application of Zinc 30 ppm + Boron 40 ppm (T₁₅). On the basis of results of present investigation, it can be concluded that foliar application of boron, iron and zinc were found effective in enhancing the growth, yield and economics of cucumber grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse condition.