Either grown in open field, greenhouse or tunnel, Haifa's fertilizers supply all the required nutrients in order to improve yield and marketability
1. Open-field
Plant density of 30,000 – 40,000 / ha.
Expected yield of 25 – 35 Ton / ha.
I. Pre-plant Application
|
Nutrient demand (kg/ha) |
Recommended fertilizers (kg/ha) |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
CaO |
SO3 |
Ammonium sulfate* |
Single Superphosphate** |
Potassium sulfate |
|
150 |
160 |
300 |
65 |
225 |
750 |
800 |
600 |
*Other nitrogen sources can also be used, with the necessary revisions, but AS also supplies the S.
** Other phosphorus sources can also be used, with the necessary revisions, but SSP also supplies the Ca.
II. Side Dressing
|
Month after sowing |
Growth stage |
Nutrient demand (kg/ha/month) |
Recommended fertilizers (kg/ha/month) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
AN |
||||
| 1st | Vegetative development |
30 |
30 |
20 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
| 2nd | Flowering – fruit-set |
60 |
30 |
90 |
195 |
50 |
85 |
| 3rd to end | Fruit develop. & harvest |
60 |
30 |
90 |
195 |
50 |
85 |
|
Total |
150 |
90 |
200 |
435 |
150 |
225 |
|
Haifa MAP = Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (12-61-0).
AN = Ammonium nitrate (33.5-0-0).
II. Fertigation*
|
Month after sowing |
Growth stage |
Nutrient demand (kg/ha/day) |
Recommended fertilizers (kg/ha/day) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
AN |
||||
| 1st | Vegetative development |
1.0 |
1.0 |
0.7 |
1.4 |
1.6 |
1.8 |
| 2nd | Flowering – fruit-set |
2.0 |
1.0 |
3.0 |
6.5 |
1.6 |
3.0 |
| 3rd to the end | Fruit develop. & harvest |
2.0 |
1.0 |
3.0 |
6.5 |
1.6 |
3.0 |
|
Total |
150 |
90 |
200 |
435 |
150 |
225 |
|
Haifa MAP = Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (12-61-0)
AN = Ammonium nitrate (33.5-0-0)
* The fertilizers should be applied every 1 – 2 irrigation cycles.
2. Greenhouse or Tunnel, growth in soil
Plant density of 18,000 – 24,000 / ha.
Expected yield of 120 – 150 Ton / ha.
|
Total nutrient requirements (kg/ha) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
|
200 - 240 |
130 - 150 |
300 - 350 |
Pre-plant Application
|
Nutrient demand (kg/ha) |
Recommended fertilizers (kg/ha) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
Ammonium sulfate* |
Triple Superphosphate** |
SOP |
|
21 |
80 - 100 |
80 - 100 |
100 |
175 - 220 |
160 - 200 |
*Other nitrogen sources, such as AN or urea can also be used, with the necessary revisions.
** Other phosphorus sources, such as DAP or SSP can also be used, with the necessary revisions.
Fertigation or Side Dressing
|
Growth stage |
Nutrient demand (kg/ha/day) |
Recommended fertilizers (kg/ha/day) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
AN |
Haifa MAP |
Multi-K |
|
| Establishment |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
1.6 |
2.2 |
| Vegetative -Flowering |
2.0 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
2.2 |
1.6 |
4.5 |
| Flowering - fruitset |
2.5 |
1.0 |
3.5 |
4.0 |
1.6 |
8.0 |
| Fruitset - harvest |
3.5 |
- |
4.5 |
6.5 |
1.6 |
10 |
Haifa MAP = Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (12-61-0)
AN = Ammonium nitrate (33.5 – 0 - 0)
Secondary nutrients
Magnesium
Magnesium should be applied throughout the growing season, and adjusted according to the concentration in the soil and irrigation water.
Total required rate = 0.4 – 0.6 Kg/ha/day (MgO) preferably as magnesium nitrate (Magnisal).
Proportional rate = 20 – 40 (MgO) g/m3 preferably as magnesium nitrate (Magnisal).
Calcium
Calcium should be applied from fruit set until the end of harvest. Dosage should be adjusted according to the concentration in the soil and irrigation water.
Total required rate = 2 – 4 Kg/ha/day (CaO)
Proportional rate = 80 – 120 (CaO) g/m3
When proportional fertigation setup is available
Nutrients should be applied at the following rates during the indicated physiological stages.
|
Physiological stage |
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
CaO |
MgO |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establishment | Ratio |
1 |
0.7 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
0.8 |
| Rate (mg/liter = ppm) |
60 - 80 |
44 - 55 |
70 - 110 |
84 - 100 |
50 - 66 |
|
| Flowering and production | Ratio |
1 |
0.4 |
1.5 |
0.65 |
0.3 |
| Rate (mg/liter = ppm) |
180 - 220 |
75 - 95 |
280 - 320 |
110 - 140 |
50 - 66 |
|
Micronutrients should be maintained at the following levels (ppm) in the nutrition solution throughout the growth period:
|
Fe |
Mn |
Zn |
Cu |
B |
Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 - 1.5 |
0.5 - 0.8 |
0.1 - 0.3 |
0.05 - 0.1 |
0.3 |
0.05 |
For the fertigated solution EC should not exceed 2.2 dS/m and pH should be maintained at 5.5 – 6.5.
3. Greenhouse or tunnel, growth in soilless culture
Special consideration for practicing of fertigation in soilless grown cucumbers
Cucumbers can be grown in greenhouses in a number of soilless media such as perlite, rockwool, peat, etc. When growing cucumbers in soilless media special care must be taken in monitoring the nutrients that the crop receives. The following factors should be taken into account: (Avidan, 1998)
- pH. The pH in the nutrient solution should be maintained at a level of 6.0 – 6.5. The pH can be lowered by the use of acids. Adjustment of pH levels can be accomplished by slight changes in the nitrate/ammonium ratio in the nutrient solution.
- Electrical Conductivity (EC). The difference between the EC of the nutrient solution and the drain water should not exceed 0.4-0.5 dS/m (depending on the properties of the water supply).
- Nitrate (NO3-). The level of nitrate in the drain water should be 500 –600 ppm depending on the nitrate level, which changes according to the growing season.
- Nitrate/ Ammonium ratio should not be lower than 5 : 1.
- Nitrite (NO2-). The level of nitrite should be zero, because its presence in the growth medium impairs roots functioning and causes browning.
In addition, it should be borne in mind that a high level of either ammonia or ammonium interferes with the ability of the roots to absorb K (Schenk and Wehrmann, 1979).
|
Growth stage |
Nutrient requirements |
Recommended fertilizers (g/m3 = ppm) |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
CaO |
MgO |
AN |
Mg. * sulfate |
||||
| Establishment - flowering |
180 |
90 |
180 |
100 |
40 |
400 |
150 |
160 |
380 |
120 |
| Flowering Fruit-set Production |
240 |
90 |
170 |
200 |
80 |
800 |
150 |
- |
760 |
240 |
*This source of magnesium was selected to provide the sulfate to the medium.
|
Parameter |
Nutrient solution |
Root environment |
|---|---|---|
|
EC (dS/m) |
2.2 |
3.0 |
|
pH |
5.5 - 6.5 |
|
Micronutrients should be maintained at the following levels (ppm) throughout the growth period:
|
Fe |
Mn |
Zn |
Cu |
B |
Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0.9 |
0.55 |
0.32 |
0.05 |
0.25 |
0.05 |
A complete guide for the nutrition of cucumbers in greenhouses on rockwool is given in the end of this recommendation.
4. Foliar sprays
Nutritive Foliar Application
Multi-K at concentrations of 1.5%-2.0% in water were found to be the most effective nutritive solution for boosting vegetative and production response of the plants. However, the safe concentration should be determined by spraying the solution onto a small area a few days prior to the actual treatment to assess whether there may be any adverse effects.
Nutrition database for cucumber
|
concentration |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rockwool |
Rockwool (reuse drainage) |
Plant – dry matter (7-8%) |
|||||
| Parameter |
Nutrient Solution |
Root Environ. |
Nutrient Solution |
Root Environ. |
Guiding Range |
Deficient |
Excessive |
| EC (mS/cm) |
2.2 |
3.0 |
1.7 |
3.0 |
|||
|
(mg/l) |
(mg/l) |
(%) |
|||||
| NH4 |
22.5 |
9.0 |
18.0 |
9.0 |
|||
| N-NH4 |
17.3 |
6.9 |
13.8 |
6.9 |
|||
| K in sap |
0.59 –0.63 |
0.18 | |||||
| K |
312.8 |
312.8 |
254.2 |
312.8 |
3.13 – 3.91 |
2.35 | |
| Ca |
160.4 |
260.7 |
110.3 |
260.7 |
2.41-3.21 |
1.20 | |
| Mg |
60.8 |
103.3 |
36.5 |
103.3 |
0.24-0.49 |
0.24 |
|
| N, total |
4.20 – 5.60 |
||||||
| NO3 |
992.0 |
1116.0 |
728.5 |
1116.0 |
1.86 | ||
| N-NO3 |
223.9 |
251.9 |
164.4 |
251.9 |
0.42 | ||
| S, total |
0.32 |
||||||
| SO4 |
132.1 |
336.4 |
96.1 |
336.4 |
|||
| P |
0.62 – 0.93 |
0.47 | |||||
| H2PO4 |
121.3 |
87.3 |
121.3 |
87.3 |
|||
| Si | 21.1 | 16.9 | 21.1 | 16.9 | |||
| Na | 0.06 – 0.07 | ||||||
|
mg/Kg (ppm) |
|||||||
| Fe |
0.838 |
0.838 |
0.838 |
1.396 |
83.8 – 111.7 |
||
| Mn |
0.549 |
0.385 |
0.549 |
0.385 |
54.9-164.8 |
> 549.3* | |
| Zn |
0.327 |
0.458 |
0.327 |
0.458 |
49.0 – 143.8 |
26.1 |
|
| B |
0.270 |
0.054 |
0.270 |
0.540 |
54.0 – 75.6 |
43.2 | > 108.0 |
| Cu |
0.048 |
0.095 |
0.048 |
0.095 |
10.2 | 8.9** | |
| Mo |
0.048 |
- |
0.048 |
- |
0.96 – 9.59 | 0.29 | |
* in old leaves
** in young leaves; in old leaves deficient at Cu 5.08 mg/Kg DM
Important note: The a/m database was prepared to fit Dutch conditions (low transpiration and low EC of the water). Some modifications may be required to correspond to your local conditions.
sources: N. Straver. Nutrient solutions for vegetables and flowers grown in water or substrates. 10th Ed. 1994.
C. de Kreij, Sonneveld C., Warmenhoven M.G. and Straver N.A. Guide values for nutrient element contents of vegetables and flowers under glass. 3rd Ed. 1992.
Macro elements removed by 1 ton marketable product
|
N |
P |
K |
Ca |
Mg |
S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
---------------------------------------------------Kg / ton----------------------------------------- |
|||||
|
4.0 |
1.0 |
6.0 |
1.0 |
1.3 |
1.0 |
Source: Kinoch: VOLHOUBARE LANDBOU, RSA. Processed by Frans Lourens, Haifa, RSA May, 1999.
Cucumbers – Mineral analysis values
|
In leaves |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient |
Average value |
Critical level |
|
(%) |
||
|
N |
2.90 |
|
|
S |
0.30 |
|
|
P |
0.52 |
|
|
K |
2.90 |
|
|
Mg |
0.54 |
|
|
Ca |
2.20 |
|
|
Na |
0.08 |
|
|
(ppm) |
||
|
Fe |
140 |
|
|
Al |
90 |
|
|
Mn |
115 |
|
|
B |
45 |
|
|
Cu |
16 |
|
|
Zn |
35 |
|
|
Mo |
|
|
Need more information about growing cucumbers? You can always return to the cucumber fertilizer & cucumber crop guide table of contents or the cucumber growth stages
