SUBSTRATE AS AN ELEMENT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR GROWING CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.) IN PROTECTED SOIL CONDITIONS

The aim. To carry out an analysis of the state of the modern types of substrates for growing cucumbers in a protected soil, their compliance with the requirements of plants, in order to highlight the most suitable quality cucumber harvest for obtaining a high yield under various technological solutions. Results. An analysis of modern domestic and foreign scientific and patent literature indicates that the basic advantage of using substrates is based on the factors like cost, availability, functionality, easy utilization, physical properties (appropriate fixation and support of the plant), aeration (air permeability), water holding capacity, drainage, ion exchange capacity, absence of phytopathogens and weeds. It is being used in the combination with bioactive compounds that makes plants able to implement its productivity potential. The study found a correlation between the biological and physiological characteristics of cucumber plants and the choice of substrate. It was established that since the surface root system of plants requires stable moisture in the upper layer, this can be provided by coconut fibre, peat and vermiculite; Intensive fruiting of plants requires high buffering capacity of nutrients, which can be provided by coconut fibre and mineral wool. The sensitivity of the root system to hypoxia requires high air permeability, which can be provided by perlite and mineral wool. the need to regulate acidity (pH) requires high buffer capacity of the substrate, which can be provided by coconut substrate and limed peat substrate; high sensitivity of plants to salinity requires low salt accumulation capacity, which can be provided by inert substrates. Conclusion: It is established that bio-physiological features of cucumber and direction of use of received products dependent on clear selection requirements for substrates. Thus, for intensive production with predominant mineral nutrition, it is advisable to use mineral wool or coconut fiber. For organic growth or repeated use - wood fiber, peat compost mixtures, sometimes with biocharcoal. For plants in the initial growth season, it is important to provide conditions that are as comfortable as possible and that have stable humidity and pH. For such purpose, the most suitable soil mixture is coconut fiber with perlite.