Response of parthenocarpic cucumber to fertilizers and training systems under nvph in subtropical conditions

An investigation was conducted during April, 2013 to study the response of fertilizers and training systems on parthenocarpic cucumber var. Dinamik under NVPH. The whole experiment was arranged over 12 treatments consisting of 4 levels of fertilizers [F1-60:50:50 kg/ha (RDF through Conventional method), F2-50% RDF (Fertigation), F3-100% RDF (Fertigation), F4-150% RDF (Fertigation)] with common dose of micro-nutrients and 3 training systems having system specific spacing [P1-‘Umbrella’ (60 x 60 cm), P2-‘V’ (60 x 60 cm), P3-‘Single Stem’ (60 x 45 cm)]. The characters like days to first flowering, days to first picking, plant height, sensory characters, fruit diameter etc. were significantly influenced by individual effect either of fertilizer or training system. The significant differences for crude fibre were observed among various treatments and F4P1 recorded high value for this character which was at par with F4P2 and F4P3. The leaf area index (LAI) determined after 30 days of planting was significantly highest in F4P3 (2.15), whereas the interaction effect was not significant for LAI after 60 days of planting but F4 and P3 individually expressed significantly highest value of 5.59 and 4.85, respectively, thus signifying its importance vis-a-vis interception of light for photosynthetic activities. However, F4P2 registered significantly highest number of fruits per plant (41), but higher yield (10.76 t per 1000m2) was registered by F4P3 having statistically similar results with that of F4P2. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1:1.30 was found to be highest for F4P3 with net realization of Rs. 121771, thus highlighting its significance in gaining maximum output from cucumber cultivation under NVPH during the growing season April to July, 2013.