The Influence of Plant Spacing on Yield and Fruit Nitrate Concentration of Greenhouse Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. F1 -189 hybrid was examined at Princess Tesneem Bent Gazi Research Station at Al-Balqa’ Applied University. The study was conducted under plastic house conditions during 2007-2008 growing season. The objective of this study was to evaluate nitrate accumulation in fruits at three-size stages as affected by different plant spacings (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 cm) within row and 45 cm between rows around the drip irrigation line. Total yield was significantly the highest (P < 0.001) under 30×45 plant spacing. However, fruit number was significantly higher (P < 0.001) at narrower spacing. Generally, small size fruits (less than 7 cm length) accumulated 2.0 and 1.3 folds of nitrates of those of big size (above 15 cm length) and medium size (from 7-15cm length) fruits, respectively.