Influence of Cocopeat and Vermicompost on Growth and Yield of Cucumber

Abstract

The present investigation is aimed to determine the effects of cocopeat and vermicompost on growth and yield of cucumber. Three different fertigation levels, i.e. 120% RDF, 100%RDF and 80% RDF were used as main treatments with three combination of soilless medias, i.e. 100% cocopeat, 100% vermicompost and 50% cocopeat + 50% vermicompost were used as a sub main treatments and replicated thrice with split-plot design in the year 2019 and 2020 under naturally ventilated polyhouse conditions. The results showed that treatment combination 100% RDF and 50% cocopeat + 50% vermicompost led to be optimum crop performance and highest yield. Although the highest rate of fertilizer application showed the highest nutrient content, the growth rate of the plants was not optimum among all the treatment combinations. Incorporation of fertilizer into cocopeat and vermicompost soilless growing media contributed to the maintenance of nutrient availability during the growth period, while excessive use of fertilizer did not enable to increase the yield.