Responses of cucumber (Cucumissativus L.) to ozonated water under varying drought stress intensities

ABSTRACT

This study explores the effect of drought stress and ozone on cucumber. A factorial experiment with complete randomized design was carried out in a greenhouse. Experimental treatments were drought stress, including three levels 100% (control), 80%, and 60% of the field capacity (FC) and three ozone concentrations of 0, 0.5, and 1 ppm. The drought stress (80% and 60% of the FC) significantly reduced fruit length, weight, and yield, leaf area, and number of fruits. Across the levels of drought stress, the statistical analysis showed significant increments in the fruit weight with the increasing in the ozone concentrations. An enhancement in the total suspended solids values was obtained with the increase in the drought stress level. The height, dry, and fresh weights of plant decreased with the increase in the drought stress level. The highest leaf area, dry, and fresh weights were observed in the 0.5 ppm ozone and 100% FC.

KEYWORDS:

• cucumber
• drought stress
• fruit yield
• ozonated water
• total suspended solids