Niveles de nitrógeno en el cultivo de pepino (Cucumis sativus) en El Cantón El Carmen.

Abstract

This study, conducted in the El Carmen canton of Manabí, assessed the effect of different nitrogen (N) levels on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cultivation using a Randomised Complete Block Design. The control treatment received only phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), while the other treatments included 30, 60, 90, or 120 kg·ha -1 of N, in addition to P and K. In the initial evaluations, plant height showed notable increases at higher nitrogen levels. During the first week, the greatest height corresponded to 120 kg·ha -1 (20.50 cm), clearly surpassing the control. In the second week, this same dose reached 30.01 cm. This trend persisted until the sixth week, with heights exceeding 85 cm in treatments receiving higher nitrogen inputs. Stem diameter also improved at higher doses. With 120 kg·ha -1 of N, values of 15.05 mm were recorded in the fourth week, 15.95 mm in the fifth, and 15.90 mm in the sixth. At the reproductive level, 120 kg·ha -1 resulted in 20.17 flowers, surpassing lower doses. Moreover, the highest number of fruits (8.67), largest diameter (10.8 cm), greatest length (28 cm), heaviest fruit weight (598 g), and highest yield per plant (598 g/pl) were also achieved with 120 kg·ha-1 of N. These findings confirm that gradually increasing N, especially at 90 and 120 kg·ha -1, optimises the growth, quality, and profitability of cucumbers, significantly exceeding the control treatment and those with lower nitrogen inputs.