Effect of Biofertilizers on Yield and Quality of Cucumber in Field Condition

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

Phosphorus is an essential element for plants. Much of the agricultural lands of Iran has calcareous soils, in which, due to high pH, phosphorous availability is less, therefore, it appears as a limiting factor for plant growth. Application of biofertilizers instead of chemical ones has gained attention in order to produce healthy crops, reduce pollution of soil and water resources by reducing chemical fertilizers application, and to reduce cost of production. This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers on yield and quality of cucumber crop in field condition. The experiment was conducted as a factorial completely randomized block design with three replications at Dashti region of Esfahan province. Treatments were different rates of triple-super phosphate (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0% of phosphorous recommendation based on soil test) and inoculation (PGPR, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, un-inoculated control). Cucumber yield, root and shoot dry weight, chlorophyll index as well P, N, Fe, and Zn concentration of the shoot were measured. Results indicated that the effect of chemical and biofertilizers and also their interactive effects on all the measured parameters were significant (p<0.05). In all biofertilizers treatments, increasing chemical fertilizer rates increased cucumber yield and P and N concentration in shoots. The highest P and N concentration in shoots belonged to phosphate solubilizing biofertilizer+ 75% of the recommended phosphorous rate, while the highest cucumber yield was related to PGPR biofertilizer+ 75% of the recommended P rate. Unlike P and N concentration, the concentration of Fe and Zn in cucumber shoots decreased by increasing chemical fertilizer rates. The highest and lowest concentration of Fe and Zn belonged to the control and phosphate solubilizing biofertilizer+ 100% of the recommended P rate, respectively.

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