The effect of different growing media on cucumber seedling production, fruit yield and quality under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Twenty five combinations of peat moss, vermiculite, composted sawdust (one, two, three and four months compost) and crop residues compost were used as soil media for seedling production. Cucumber seedlings grown in sawdust media, were either similar or superior to the control (peat moss + vermiculite, 1.1 v/v) for each of the plant growth parameters; plant height, number of leaves, chlorophyll content and fruit yield (both early and total) as well as number of fruits per plant. The highest plant growth and, subsequently, the highest yield were obtained by mixing control (peat . vermiculite 1.1) + sawdust + compost 2.2.1 (v/v/v), i.e. reducing peat moss volume from 50% to 20% in the mixture. These results indicate that sawdust can be used as a substitute to high percentages of peat moss media for cucumber seedling production. Nutrient contents (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) and heavy metals content (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Co) were determined in cucumber fruits.