Cucumbers have specific fertilizer requirements due to their fast growth and high yield potential. However, their root system is shallow and has limited ability to absorb nutrients efficiently. In particular, they are sensitive to high concentrations of ammonium nitrogen in the soil solution. This makes the type and amount of fertilizer crucial for healthy growth. According to research, for every 1000 kg of cucumber produced, the plant absorbs approximately 1.9–2.7 kg of nitrogen (N), 0.8–0.9 kg of phosphorus (P₂O₅), and 3.5–4.0 kg of potassium (K₂O). The ideal ratio of these three nutrients is roughly 1:0.5:1.25.
Nitrogen uptake increases rapidly within the first 30 days after planting and peaks during the mid-growth stage. During the reproductive phase, the demand for phosphorus rises significantly, while nitrogen needs slightly decrease. Potassium, on the other hand, is required throughout the entire growing period. Cucumbers tend to develop bitterness near the stem end, with the bitter compound being cucurbitacin (Câ‚â‚‚Hâ‚₈O₈). This bitterness can be caused by various factors such as excessive nitrogen, low temperatures, insufficient light or water, and weak plant development. To prevent this, it's essential to maintain a balanced nitrogen supply during fruit set and avoid high nitrogen concentrations in the soil solution.
Fertilization strategies for cucumbers should include several key stages:
1. **Base Fertilizer Application**: Organic manure, such as pig manure, is typically applied at a rate of 2,500–3,000 kg per acre, or even more than 5,000 kg in some cases. It’s also recommended to use 90% of the total phosphate fertilizer, 50–60% of potash, and 30–40% of nitrogen fertilizer as base fertilizer.
2. **Topdressing During Fruit Formation**: Since cucumbers produce flowers continuously over a long period, it's important to provide regular nutrition after each harvest. Farmers often combine irrigation with fertilization by dissolving fertilizer in water and applying it through drip or furrow irrigation. This helps prevent over-fertilization and promotes better quality and yield. A general practice is to apply fertilizer every 7–10 days, using about 10–15 kg of urea per mu, along with decomposed manure. This process is usually repeated 7–9 times during the growing season.
3. **Potassium Application**: If the base fertilizer lacks potassium or if the soil is deficient, additional potassium should be applied during topdressing. Potassium plays a vital role in balancing vegetative and reproductive growth, improving disease resistance, and enhancing fruit quality. Studies show that potassium deficiency in early growth stages can severely impact yield, with only 1/9 of the expected production if potassium is lacking in the first half of the season, and still around one-third of the harvest if deficiency occurs later.
4. **Foliar Spraying**: Applying foliar fertilizer during the middle growth stage can be beneficial. Spraying a 0.2–0.3% solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate has been proven effective in boosting plant health and productivity.
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