Cultivation, quality, and nutrition of cucumber
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most important horticultural crops worldwide. China is by far the largest producer, while Spain leads in Europe.
In Italy, cucumbers are primarily grown in greenhouses, while open-field cultivation is mostly limited to southern Puglia with specific heat-loving varieties, as cucumbers are highly sensitive to cold.
Commercial demand is constant and growing, with multiple uses: fresh consumption, pickling (preserves), and industrial processing.
Nutritional advice for cucumber
- Phosphorus, especially when combined with humic acid extracts, promotes root development.
- The crop has a high calcium requirement, as deficiency causes blossom-end rot in fruits. Calcium also contributes to final product quality, including taste and shelf life, and should be applied consistently. Magnesium can be added to support photosynthesis.
- Potassium applications help increase and even out flowering.
- It is good practice to use products containing microbial consortia to rejuvenate tired soils and combat phytopathologies.
Below you can find the most effective strategies for proper cucumber fertilization.
PRODUCT POSITIONING BY PHENOLOGICAL PHASE - TRADITIONAL LINE
Products used in this phase
For problems of iron chlorosis, we recommend interventions with Nano.T Fe via the roots. Dosage based on the soil's chlorinating power index.
To strengthen the plant and make it more resistant to biotic and abiotic stress, we recommend using Nano.T Cu foliarly every 15 days from vegetative development onwards.
In saline, sodic, calcareous soils with an alkaline pH, add CALCITO at a dose of 10 l/ha every 25-30 days.
To create favorable environments for maintaining healthy leaves, shoots, and fruits, use Nano.T Total
PRODUCT POSITIONING BY PHENOLOGICAL PHASE - ORGANIC LINE
Products used in this phase
For iron chlorosis problems, we recommend applying Nano.T Fe BIO through the roots. Dosage depends on the soil's chlorinating power index.
To strengthen the plant and make it more resistant to biotic and abiotic stress, we recommend using Nano.T Cu BIO foliar application every 15 days from vegetative growth onwards.
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Balanced nutrition is the starting point for plants predisposed to optimal flowering and fruit set. Excess nitrogen during these stages is not recommended. It is also important to provide a proper and balanced supply of microelements (Febo Bio, Febo Mix) and to support the plant under environmental stress using fruit-set–promoting products (Naturblack, Giove Bio Gold). Phosphorus also plays an important role during this delicate phenological stage (Leaf P-Ca).
The post-transplant phase is delicate, and it is important to minimize stress while promoting seedling establishment. Products rich in amino acids (Supremo, Giove Bio Gold), humic and fulvic acids (Naturblack), seaweed extracts (Vigor Green), and phosphorus (Hydrostar, Leaf P-Ca) are useful. Beneficial microorganisms (Mycovix) also play a key role by improving the “good” soil microbiome, stimulating root growth, and producing healthy, stress-resistant roots.