Effects of application of organic and inorganic  fertilizers on the growth,  yield and quality of cucumber in greenhouse

Unreasonable use of organic fertilizer leads to poor quality and lower yield in vegetable production. An experiment with foam tank culture was carried out to study the suitable amount and ratio of organic and inorganic nutrients in cucumber production. All fertilizers used in the experiment were basal applied. The results showed that in treatment 30 t/ha of organic fertilizer combining 0.9 t/ha of inorganic fertilizer, or 45 t/ha of organic fertilizer combining 0.45 t/ha of inorganic fertilizer, the early growth of cucumber plants was severely inhibited, the earlier yield, the contents of vitamin C and soluble sugar decreased, and the nitrate accumulation increased in cucumber. Applying 60 t/ha of organic fertilizer cause less salt damage to the plants, the transplanted seedlings recovered quickly. Applying 1.8 t/ha of inorganic fertilizer or 15 t/ha of organic fertilizer combining 1.35 t/ha of inorganic fertilizer are good for the plant growth, the early yield are obviously increased and the content of vitamin C, soluble protein and soluble sugar, the nitrate accumulation decreased. However, the nutrient supply is unable to meet the need of the later growth of cucumber, leading to yield decrease at last. Combining comprehensively the indexes of growth, yield and quality, the treatment of 15 t/ha of organic fertilizer with 1.35 t/ha of inorganic fertilizer was recommended as basal fertilizer in this experiment, and dressing fertilizers should be supplemented when necessary in the middle and/or late growth stage to satisfy the nutrition requirement of fruit growth.