Split root fertigation enhances cucumber yield in both an open and a semi-closed greenhouse

We investigated the hypothesis that split root fertigation (SRF) approach could provide complementary benefits over traditional fertigation (TF) in terms of water use, vegetative growth and yield formation in the high radiation season and under two atmospheric conditions in a greenhouse. Plants of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Cumuli) were grown in a traditional high-wire cultivation system in a peat growing medium. In the SRF method the root system of a plant was separated into two compartments over the crop cycle. One compartment received fertigation solution with low EC (1.2 dS m−1) and the other compartment solution with high EC (3.5 dS m−1) value. In the TF method the EC value of fertigation solution was 2.4 dS m−1. The atmospheric conditions included an open (ventilated) and a semi-closed (cooled) greenhouse. The employment of cooling resulted in an enhancement of the average CO2 in a semi-closed (810 ppm) over an open (530 ppm) greenhouse resulting in a yield improvement (37%). SRF improved water uptake in both atmospheric conditions and water use efficiency (WUE) in an open greenhouse. The water uptake in SRF was highest in the root part with the low EC values, namely 61% in the open and 66% in the semi-closed greenhouse. In both atmospheric conditions, SRF decreased flower abortion, leading to an improved fruit set with a small effect on vegetative growth. SRF increased yield by 21% in the open and 17% in the semi-closed greenhouse compared to TF in corresponding greenhouses.

► Cucumber was grown in traditional (TF) and split root fertigation (SRF).
► SRF led to an improved fruit set (18%) with a small increase (5%) of vegetative growth.
► SRF increased yield by 21% in the open and 17% in the semi-closed greenhouse.
► SRF improved water uptake in the semi-closed greenhouse particularly.
► The water uptake in SRF was highest in the root part with the low EC values.