Effect of Container Type and Cultivar on Growth of Cucumber Plants in a Closed Hydroponic System

This study was realised in autumn and spring growing seasons at farmers' conditions. Treatments were container type (plastic bags, pots, and self constructed troughs) and cultivar. The experimental design was a split plot, with container types as the main plot and cultivars as sub plots. The cultivars tested were 'Armada', 'Panama', 'Afrodit' and 'Gordion' in the autumn; and 'Armada', 'Panama', 'Sardes' and 'Gordion' in the spring season. Cultivars 'Armada' and 'Afrodit' are reported to have vigorous growth and single fruit per node, 'Panama' has semi vigorous growth and semi multi-fruiting, 'Sardes' and 'Gordion' are less vigorous and multi-fruiting varieties. The growing medium consisted of local materials, perlite and clinoptilolite (3: 1, v/v). Nutrient solution was applied in closed system. Planting density was 2.666 plants per m(2). Stem length, number of nodes and yield were evaluated. Average yield was determined as 107.4 and 292.6 ton per ha in autumn and spring, respectively. Container type had no significant effects on yield of cucumber plants in autumn; on the other hand, plants grown in pots and troughs gave higher yields than those grown in plastic bags in spring season. Cultivars had significant effect on yield in both production seasons. In spring, which is the main cucumber production season in the region, vigorous and semi vigorous cultivars gave higher yield than less vigorous cultivars. Average yields in tonnes per ha corresponding to the cultivars were 311.4 for 'Armada', 293.8 for 'Panama', 289.4 for 'Sardes' and 275.9 for 'Gordion'.