Effects of different nitrogen doses on yield and some quality properties of cucumber cultivation in soilless culture

This research was carried out to determine the effects of increasing levelnitrogen (120, 160, 200, 240 mg N l-1) doses on plant growth, nutrient uptake andsome quality properties on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivation in sand andperlite solid substrate cultures. Effect of growth media on cucumber growth andmeasured components was not significantly important. On the other hand, plantgrowth was significantly affected by N doses. According to regresion analysis,optimum N dose was determined as 160-231 mg N l-1 for plant morphologicalcharacters and 160 mg N l-1 for yield and fruit quality. The amount of N, P and Cauptake by per plant increased continiously with N dose while K and Mg uptake wasdeclined after 200 mg N l-1 doses. N use efficiency values ranged 11 - 22 %. When Ndoses increased, N use efficiency decreased.KEY WORDS: Nitrogen, cucumber, sand, perlite, soilless culture.