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（Substrate cultivation）正日益受到蔬菜种植户的青睐，但多数作物的配套栽培技术资料仍属较新的研究范畴，尤以小黄瓜（gherkin）相关的营养液（nutrient solution）施用技术为突出。本研究旨在评估三个小黄瓜品种（Do Norte、Liso de Calcutá与Liso Gibão）在椰糠（coconut fiber）基质中的栽培表现，供试营养液设置为甜瓜推荐浓度的50%、75%、100%及125%四个梯度，试验采用随机区组设计（randomized block design），3×4因子试验方案，设置4次重复，每小区种植3株供试植株。本研究对供试材料的生长与产量相关性状进行了测定。总体而言，品种Liso de Calcutá的单果质量更高，可达35.69 g·果⁻¹；而品种Liso Gibão的单株结果数平均为21.6个，单株总产量达542.19 g·株⁻¹，表现更为高产。品种Do Norte与Liso de Calcutá对养分的需求量相对较低。若要获得椰糠栽培小黄瓜的最高产量，对于品种Do Norte和Liso de Calcutá，应采用稀释至甜瓜推荐营养液浓度50%的营养液进行水肥灌溉（fertigation）；而对于品种Liso Gibão，则推荐使用稀释至甜瓜推荐营养液浓度75%的营养液进行灌溉施肥。