Influence of concentration of the nutrient solution on seed germination and parameters of young seedlings in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Elena Topalova

Abstract: The study was conducted with six cucumber genotypes (Cucumis sativus L.) to determine and compare the inhibitory effect of increased nutrient solution concentrations on seed germination and early seedling growth. Five concentrations were tested: control (distilled water), 0.9, 1.8, 3.7 and 5.5 mS/cm-1 to identify the sensitivity/tolerance of the studied genotypes in the first stage of their development. Data were analyzed using SPSS and means were separated in final germination percentage, germination energy percentage, shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weight and growth tolerance index. Our results indicate that increased nutrient solution concentrations has a negative impact on germination rate, growth tolerance index, seedlings parameters and their ratios. The influence of nutrient induced salinity was more pronounced on the cucumber seedlings than that of seed germination.

Keywords: Cucumis sativus L.; germination; root; seedling fresh and dry weight; shoot

Date published: 2020-03-10