Application of Superabsorbent Nanopolymer in Several Iranian Mineral Substrates on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Greenhouse Cucumber

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Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
Objectives: This experiment was conducted with the aim of investigating the possibility of replacing cocopeat substrate with a combination of Iranian mineral substrates and superabsorbent nanopolymer in cucumber production by hydroponic method.
Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted in the fall and winter of 2022 in the greenhouse of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz as a factorial design in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The experimental treatments included three cultivation substrates: cocopeat + perlite, pumice and Pumedia and three superabsorbent levels of 0, 3 and 6 g/L of substrate.
Findings: The results of the interaction effect of substrate and superabsorbent showed that no significant difference was observed in the yield of the Pumedia substrate without superabsorbent and pumice with 3 and 6 g/L superabsorbent with the control substrate (cocopeat + perlite), which is one of the interesting results of this study. Also, the firmness of cucumber fruits in the Pumedia substrate with zero superabsorbent level and pumice with 6 g/L superabsorbent level was significantly higher than the control substrate.
Conclusion: In general, the best growth and yield indices were observed in the cocopeat + perlite and Pumedia substrates without superabsorbent and pumice with 6 g/L superabsorbent. Therefore, it is recommended to use Pumedia substrate without superabsorbent or Pumice substrate with superabsorbent in greenhouse cucumber cultivation instead of the expensive cocopeat substrate that causes foreign exchange to leave the country.

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 October 2026

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