Influence of Perlite and Jiffy Substrates on Cucumber Fruit Productivity and Quality

Abstract

Most studies related to the culture of cucumbers refer only to germination, emergence and development of leaves and fruit, the nutrients used and their efficiency. This study assesses the influence of different types of soilless substrates (Perlite -2 mm, Perlite -4 mm, Perlite -5 mm, Jiffy and Jiffy + 50% Perlite -4 mm) on the content of nitrate, carbohydrates, chlorophyll, proteins, invertase activity and dry matter in cucumber leaves, stems and fruit grown on the respective substrates. The highest production was obtained on Perlite -4 mm. The nitrates content was below the maximum admitted limit for all samples. Dry matter content of fruit depended on substrate in succession Jiffy, Perlite -5 mm, Perlite 4 mm, Perlite 2 mm and Jiffy+Perlite 4 mm. The highest content of total chlorophyll was both in leaves as well as relating to fruit of plants grown on Perlite 5mm. The protein concentrations in fruits decrease in the order Jiffy, Perlite -4 mm, Perlite -5 mm, Perlite -2 mm and Jiffy+Perlite -4 mm. Both carbohydrates and invertase activity have the highest values in fruits. When, reducing sugars content is very high invertase activity corresponding is low. The highest level of reducing sugars was found in fruits grown on Jiffy followed by those developed on Perlite -2 mm. Although, Jiffy substrate shows very good results it is expensive so the best choice for growing cucumbers in terms of both production and nutrient content is mainly the Perlite -4 mm substrate.

Evaluation of different soilless media on growth, quality, and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under greenhouse conditions

“…The peat produced TSS of 3.6 (Brix), while in perlite the TSS was (3.5) Brix. The results in Table 2 and 3 were compared to Petre et al (2015) where they used perlite and jiffy (peat) in 50-50% ratio. They showed a variation of 140 mg/100g vegetal in chlorophyll content.…”

“…Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, one of the most important plant families in agriculture, and one of the basic crops in the greenhouse were being grown on a large scale worldwide (Papadopoulos, 1994). It is one of the creeping vegetables with large consumer demand worldwide (Petre et al, 2015). In addition, it is considered one of the vegetable crops widely cultivated in plastic greenhouses in the Mediterranean region, because of its short growing cycle and its high economic value in off-season harvest (Maršić and Jakše, 2010).…”

“…Since the crops on soil show major problems due to pathogen attacks and soil limiting factors, it is required to conduct soil treatments using either chemical or thermal methods that are not environmentally friendly. Moreover, these methods of disinfection are either too expensive or too polluting to the soil and/or groundwater (Petre et al, 2015). Besides, other problems such as nematodes, unsuitable soil reaction, unfavorable soil compaction, poor drainage, degradation due to erosion, salinity, etc.…”

Effect of fertilizers type and watering methods on the agronomic performance of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown on substrate in southern Côte d'Ivoire

“…In addition, these seeds are a good source of minerals and used in diet and disease treatment programs (Murad and Nyc, 2016). This explains why cucumber is one of the creeping vegetables with large consumer demand worldwide (Petre et al, 2015). World's cucumber production is over 40,000 tons, China being the leading producer (Abdul and Khan, 2015).…”

“…As a rule of thumb, the soil is usually the most available growing medium for plants because it provides anchorage, nutrients, air, and water for successful plant growth and for microorganisms (Sepehri et al, 2018). However, the crops on soil encounter major problems due to pathogen attacks and soil limiting factors (Petre et al, 2015). This is truly the case of the Abidjan city (Côte d'Ivoire), a megalopolis which most vegetable production is provided by peri-urban cultivation.…”