Effect of spraying with microelements on growth and productivity of top and elite cucumber varieties

Cucumber is an important vegetable crop. Fertilization with microelements increases production and improves its quality. In this study we tested the effect of foliar spraying with microelement on some production and quality parameters of cucumber genotypes. Complete randomized blocks design was used. Two cultivars of cucumber were tested (Top and Elite). Two treatments for each cultivar (spraying with microelements and control). Three replicates per treatment, with 5 plants for each replicate, were adopted. Treatment plants were sprayed weekly with 1 g/L of microelements. Our results show that genotypes differed in their response to microelements spraying. Where Top variety has surpassed the control in some traits (number of fruits/plant, number of fruits/m2, total weight of the fruit/plant and total weight of fruits/m2), while delayed for the control in the weight and length of the fruit. The Elite variety exceeded the control in the weight and length of the fruit and the total production per m2. Finally, the treatment of microelements affected the total production and some quality characteristics in both studied cultivars.