Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif 2024-25 at the Horticultural Research Farm, School of Agriculture, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur. The study was aimed at evaluating the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on cucumber (Curcumis sativus L.) under the semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design. Treatments consist ofT₁ - Control, T₂ - 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF 100:60:60 NPK/ha), T₃ - 100% farmyard manure (FYM 25 t/ha), T₄ - 100% Vermicompost (VC 10 t/ha), T₅ - 75% RDF + 25% FYM, T₆ - 75% RDF + 25% Vermicompost, T₇ - 50% RDF + 50% FYM, T₈ - 50% RDF + 50% Vermicompost, T₉ - 75% RDF + 12.5% FYM + 12.5% Vermicompost, and T₁₀ - 50% RDF + 25% FYM + 25% Vermicompost. The results indicate that among the different treatments T₉ (75% RDF + 12.5% FYM + 12.5% Vermicompost) recorded the best performance among all treatments. This treatment significantly enhanced plant growth, fruit yield, and quality parameters compared to both control and sole fertilizer applications. The highest total fruit yield (253.38 q/ha), maximum total soluble solids (3.84° Brix), and longest shelf life (7.86 days) were recorded in T₉. It also resulted in the highest net return (₹1,52,076/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (4.00), thus proving its economic superiority. So, in was concluded that the treatment combination T9- 75% RDF + 12.5% FYM + 12.5% VC are best for cucumber cultivation.