Effect of different NPK levels on the growth and fruit yield of cucumber Cucumis sativus L.

The experimental design laid out on the prepared land was Randomized Complete Block replicated four times. Each experimental unit measured 6m x 5m (30m2) and was connected with a 75cm wide water channel. Local variety "Kheera" of cucumber was evaluated. The sowing was done on 10.09.2002. The first observation on seed emergence was recorded on 18.09.2002. The treatments include T1=Control (untreated), T2=25-40-25, T3=50-50-35, T4=75-60-45, T5=100-70-55 and T6=125-80-65 kg NPK ha-1. One third of N along with all P and K was applied at the time of land preparation by mixing in the soil, while remaining N was divided into two equal doses and were applied on 12.11.2002 and 30.11.2002. The data were collected on the basis of 5 selected vines in each treatment of all the four replications. The results revealed that application of different levels of NPK fertilizers significant affected the growth and yield components of cucumber i.e. length of vine, number of fruits plant-1, weight of single fruit, vertical and horizontal diameter of cucumber fruit, fruit yield plot-1 and yield ha-1. The highest NPK level of 125-80-65 kg ha-1 produced 133 cm vine length, 9.96 number of fruits vine-1, 169.25 g single fruit weight, 5.23 cm horizontal diameter, 8.07 vertical diameter, 97.61 kg fruit yield plot-1 and 32.537 m.t fruit yield ha-1, closely followed by NPK level of 100-70-55 kg ha-1, having 129 cm vine length, 9.25 number of fruits vine-1, 164.25g single fruit weight, 5.06 cm horizontal diameter, 7.94 vertical diameter, 94.47 kg fruit yield plot-1 and 31.490 m.t fruit yield ha-1. On the other hand, the minimum values for all the growth and yield components were recorded in case of control where the crop was left untreated (control). Moreover, non-significant differences were observed in almost all the growth and yield parameters when NPK levels 125-80-65 and 100-70-55 kg ha-1 were compared. Thus, 100-70-55 kg NPK level was cons i dered as an optimum level for getting economical fruit yield in cucumber under Tandojam conditions. It was concluded that though, the application of chemical fertilizers is vital for the production of cucumber, but their application must be up to a certain limit. All the growth and yield components were greater under higher NPK level of 125-80-65 kg ha-1 but the differences were non- significant when compared with 100-70-55 kg ha-1. So, the above NPK level was considered as an optimum level for economical crop harvest in cucumber under Tandojam conditions.