Growth and yield of gherkin cultivars in coconut fiber fertigated with nutrient solutions

ABSTRACT Substrate cultivation has been gaining interest from vegetable producers, however technical information for many crops is still recent, such as the gherkin, especially regarding the nutrient solution. This study was developed with the objective of evaluating the performance of three gherkin cultivars (Do Norte, Liso de Calcutá and Liso Gibão) grown in coconut fiber and fertigated with nutrient solutions of different concentrations (50, 75, 100 and 125% of the recommendation for melon), using a randomized block design, in a 3 x 4 factorial scheme, with four repetitions and plots composed of three plants. Growth and production variables were evaluated. In general, cv. Liso de Calcutá produced heavier fruits (35.69 g fruit-1), however cv. Liso Gibão produced an average of 21.6 fruits plant-1, being more productive (542.19 g planta-1). The cultivars Do Norte and Liso de Calcutá were less demanding on nutrients. In order to obtain the highest production of gherkin fruits cultivated in coconut fiber, fertigations must be carried out using nutrient solutions diluted in 50% for the cultivars Do Norte and Liso de Calcutá, while for cv. Liso Gibão it is recommended to use nutrient solution diluted in 75% of the concentration of nutrients recommended for the cultivation of melon.

摘要：基质栽培已日益受到蔬菜种植者的关注，但诸多作物的配套栽培技术资料仍属新近研究成果，腌渍小黄瓜（gherkin）的营养液栽培相关技术尤为如此。本研究旨在评估三个腌渍小黄瓜品种（Do Norte、Liso de Calcutá与Liso Gibão）在椰糠基质中，以不同浓度（分别为甜瓜推荐施肥浓度的50%、75%、100%与125%）的营养液进行灌肥后的生长与产量表现。试验采用3×4因子设计的随机区组方案，设置4次重复，每小区种植3株植株。研究测定了供试材料的生长与产量相关性状。总体而言，Liso de Calcutá品种的单果质量更高，可达35.69 g/果；而Liso Gibão品种的单株结果数平均为21.6个，单株产量达542.19 g/株，生产性能更优。Do Norte与Liso de Calcutá两个品种对养分的需求量相对较低。若要实现椰糠基质栽培腌渍小黄瓜的最高产量，Do Norte与Liso de Calcutá品种需采用稀释至甜瓜推荐施肥浓度50%的营养液进行灌肥，而Liso Gibão品种则推荐使用稀释至甜瓜推荐施肥浓度75%的营养液。