Mineral nutrition of vegetable crops: LIII - nutrient concentration in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) var. Aodai, under field conditions

Abstract

A commercial cucumber plantation was set in Piracicaba (SL: 22º41'31" and LW: 47º38'31"), State of São Paulo, Brazil, in a soil classified as "Terra Roxa Estruturada (Alfissol), série Luiz de Queiroz". Plants (4 replications) with 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84 days from emergence were collected and divided into roots, stems, stem leaves, shoot leaves, masculine and feminine flowers, and fruits. The material was dried at 80ºC and analysed for macro and micronutrients. The results were as follows: - the nutrient concentrations are unstable and vary with the plant aging; - the concentration of N, P, K, S, and Fe decrease whereas the concentrations of Ca, Mg, and B increased with the plant aging; the elements Zn, Cu, and Mn diddid not show concentration tendencies in the different parts of the plant; - the young fruits present higher nutrient concentrations that decrease during the ripening period.