Micro nutrient uptake of glasshouse cucumbers grown on rockwool

Abstract

The uptake of micro elements by cucumbers grown on rockwool was investigated in a series of experiments. The elements studied in the experiments consisted of iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper and molybdenum. Five different levels of each of these elements were compared.

The deficiency and excess symptoms were described and the fruit yields were recorded. The trace element contents of the nutrient solution in the root environment were determined by regular sampling. From time to time, samples were also collected of the leaves and fruits of the cucumber crop.

No relationship appeared to exist between the iron contents in the root environment and those in the leaves and fruits. However, relationships were found for all other elements included in the investigation. The relationship between the contents in the root environment and in the crop is curvilinear and can be compute roughly by a function of the model y = ax^b, in which x represents the content of the element in the root environment and y represents the content in the crop.

The limits are given at which deficiency and excess symptoms may be expected.

Key words:

• Cucumber
• micro nutrients
• rockwool
• uptake
• distribution