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

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

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

10.22034/saps.2025.65691.3336

Abstract

ackground & Objectives: In many regions of the world, finding suitable alternatives has received attention due to the high cost of substrates such as peat and cocopeat. Materials such as rice husk, pine bark, sawdust, and leaf compost have been used for the production of growing media for vegetables and ornamental plants. Other organic and mineral materials also exist as substitutes for growing media. Therefore, the necessity of paying attention to and utilizing new mineral or organic substrates in order to reduce costs in greenhouse crop production seems absolutely essential. 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. .The superabsorbent nanopolymer Tarava-200 was mixed into the middle section of each pot at amounts of 0, 3, and 6 grams per liter of growing medium, depending on the experimental treatment, and then covered with the respective substrate. In this study, 54 cylindrical plastic pots were used. Then, according to the treatment, the pots were filled halfway with the respective substrate, such that at 15 cm from the top of the pot, the superabsorbent amounts per liter of substrate (each pot contained 7 liters, so the superabsorbent amounts were 0, 21, and 42 g, respectively) were added and the pots were filled with their specific substrate. Cucumber seedlings of the Strong Sun cultivar at the 3-4 true leaf stage were transferred to 7-liter plastic pots specific to each treatment, containing substrates of 50:50 cocopeat to perlite, pumice, and Pumedia, and were arranged in the greenhouse at a density of approximately 3.5 plants per square meter.
 
Results: 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. 
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Aghdak P. 2008. The effect of different planting media on the growth and quality of greenhouse bell pepper crop. Master's thesis. Faculty of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Al-harbi AR, Al-Omran AM, Shalaby AA and Wahdan, H. 1994. Arid soil research and rehabilitation. Journal of Article, 8(3): 285-290.
Ali A, Ghani, MI, Ding H, Fan Y, Cheng Z and Iqbal, M. 2019. Co-amended synergistic interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the organic substrate-induced cucumber yield and fruit quality associated with the regulation of the AM-fungal community structure under anthropogenic cultivated soil. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(7): 1539. doi:10.3390/ijms20071539.
Alifar N, Mohammadi Ghesare A and Honarjo N. 2009. The effect of growing medium on nitrogen, potassium and magnesium absorption by greenhouse cucumber in soilless cultivation. The First National Congress of Hydroponics and Plant Productions of Iran, Pp. 135. Isfahan University, Iran. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Arnon AN. 1967. Method of extraction of chlorophyll in the plants. Agronomy journal, 23(1): 112-121.
Awang Y, Shaharom AS, Mohamad RB and Selamat A. 2009. Chemical and physical characteristics of cocopeat-based media mixtures and their effects on the growth and development of Celosia cristata. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, 4(1): 63-71.
Bedi KJ and Sohrab F. 2004. Evaluation of super absorbent polymer application on water holding capacity and potential in three soil type. Journal of Science and Polymer Technology, 3: 163-173.
Behbahani M, Asadzadeh A and Jabali J. 2005. Evaluation of the effect of superabsorbent hydrogels and low-irrigation treatments on nutrient retention in hydroponic media. Third training course and specialized seminar on the application of superabsorbent hydrogels, Iranian Polymer and Petrochemical Research Institute, November 6, Tehran, Iran. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Bres W and Weston LA. 1993. Influence of gel additives on nitrate, ammonium, and water retention and tomato growth in a soilless medium. HortScience, 28(10): 1005-1007.
Bunt AC. 1983. Physical properties of mixtures of peats and minerals of different particle size and bulk density for potting substrates. In International Symposium on Substrates in Horticulture other than Soils In Situ 150. Pp. 143-154.
Colla G, Saccardo F, Rea E, Pierandrei F and Salerno A. 2003. Effects of substrates on yield, quality and mineral composition of soilless-grown cucumbers. In VI International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climate: Product and Process Innovation. Ragusa-Sicily, Italy. Pp. 205-209.
Demitri C, Scalera F, Madaghiele M, Sannino A and Maffezzoli A. 2013. Potential of cellulose-based superabsorbent hydrogels as water reservoir in agriculture. International Journal of Polymer Science, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/435073
Gizas G and Savvas D. 2007. Particle size and hydraulic properties of pumice affect growth and yield of greenhouse crops in soilless culture. HortScience, 42(5): 1274-1280.
Gleick PH and Palaniappan M. 2010. Peak water limits to freshwater withdrawal and use. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(25): 11155-11162.
Gül A, Eroğul D and Ongun AR. 2005. Comparison of the use of zeolite and perlite as substrate for crisp-head lettuce. Scientia Horticulturae, 106(4): 464-471. DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2005.03.015
Gül A, Kıdoğlu F and Anaç D. 2007. Effect of nutrient sources on cucumber production in different substrates. Scientia Horticulturae, 113(2): 216-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2007.02.005
Haji Maleki K, Soufian J, Sheikhpouri H, Sharifi Rad M and Mousavi R. 2013. The effect of growing media on some biological characteristics of greenhouse cucumber seedlings in the greenhouse. National Conference on Agricultural Engineering and Management, Environment and Sustainable Natural Resources. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Hassanzadeh Mobini S, Aroi H and Razi MA. 2009. Investigation of physical properties and the role of pores in perlite and cocopeat hydroponic growing media. First National Congress of Hydroponics and Plant Productions of Iran. University of Isfahan, Iran. Pp. 214. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Hekmat, A., Barati, A., Frahani, E. V., Afraz, A. 2009. Synthesis and analysis of swelling and controlled release behaviour of anionic sIPN acrylamide-based hydrogels. International Journal of Chemical and Molecular Engineering, 3(8): 383-387.
Hessami AA, Jokari S and Taghimolaei M. 2014. The use of non-decayed date palm wastes as a substitute for cocopeat in hydroponic tomato cultivation. The Second National Conference on Medicinal Plants and Sustainable Agriculture. Hamedan, Iran. Pp. 1-17. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Islam MR, Hu Y, Mao S, Mao J, Eneji AE and Xue X. 2011. Effectiveness of water saving superabsorbent polymer in soil water conservation for corn (Zea mays L.) based on eco-physiological parameters. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 91(11): 1998-2005. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.4408
Khadem SH, Rousta MJ, Chorom M, Khadem SA and Kasraeyan A. 2010. The effects of different rates of super absorbent polymers and manure on corn nutrient uptake. In Proceedings of the 19th world congress of soil science: soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia (Vol. 2, Pp. 1-6).
Liu X, Li Y, Ren X, Chen B, Zhang Y, Shen C, Wang F and Wu D. 2020. Long-term greenhouse cucumber production alters soil bacterial community structure. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 20: 306-321.‏ DOI: 10.1007/s42729-019-00109-9
Malkotian M, Jafarzadeh Haghighifard N, Hosseini H and Mousavi SG. 2009. Ammonium removal from aqueous solution using pumice adsorbent under static and dynamic conditions. 13th Environmental Health Conference, Kerman. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Maloupa E, Abou Hadid A, Prasad M and Kavafakis CH. 2000. Response of cucumber and tomato plants to different substrates mixtures of pumice in substrate culture. In V International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Current Trends for Suistainable Technologies 559 (Pp. 593-600).
Mengel K, Kirkby EA, Kosegarten H and Appel, T. 2001. Elements with more toxic effects. Principles of Plant Nutrition, 657-673.‏
Milani P, França D, Balieiro AG and Faez R. 2017. Polymers and its applications in agriculture. Polimeros, 27: 256-266.‏ https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.09316
Mohammadi Ghehsareh AM, Borji H and Jafarpour M. 2011. Effect of some culture substrates (date-palm peat, cocopeat and perlite) on some growing indices and nutrient elements uptake in greenhouse tomato. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 5(12): 1437-1442.‏ DOI: 10.5897/AJMR10.786
Najafi Alishah F, Golchin A and Mohebi M. 2013. The effect of superabsorbent polymer accusorb and irrigation interval on yield, water use efficiency and growth indices of greenhouse cucumber. Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions, 4 (3): 1-14. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Neishabouri MR, Jafarzadeh AA, Sadeghian N and Tourchi M. 2006. The effect of polyacrylamide, pumice and straw on the infiltration process and hydraulic conductivity under flooded and rainy conditions. Agricultural Science, 16(4): 39-50. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Noguera P, Abad M, Noguera V, Puchades R and Maquieira, A. 1998, August. Coconut coir waste, a new and viable ecologically-friendly peat substitute. In XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 7: Quality of Horticultural Products. Brussels, Belgium. Pp. 279-286.‏
Nooralizadeh Z and Tabatabaie J. 2021. Effect of sodium chloride salinity on the growth and some phytochemical properties of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). Iranian Journal of Horticultural Sciences and Technology, 22 (1): 89-98. URL: http://journal-irshs.ir/article-1-356-fa.html. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Paris HS, Cohen R, Edelstein M, Burger Y, Maoz Y and Schaffer AA. 2013. Origin and history of old cucurbit cultivars in Israel and the sources of several internationally important market types. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 60: 1629-1640.‏ https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-012-9944-1
Peyvast GH, Noorizadeh M, Hamidoghli J and Ramezani-Kharazi P. 2005. Effect of four different substrates on growth, yield and some fruit quality parameters of cucumber in bag culture. In International Symposium on Growing Media. 779: 535-540.
Pirasteh A, Hedayat M, Mohammadi R, Ghaedi S, Sayah R and Bargahi N. 2013. Investigating the possibility of replacing cocopeat with some plant wastes in the production of tomato seedlings. The Sixth National Conference on Agricultural Product Wastes, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Pp. 250-254. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Resh HM. 2013. Hydroponic food production. A definitive guidebook of soilless food growing methods (No. Ed. 5). Woodbridge press publishing company, Pp 27.
Sabbagh Taze A, Sadeghian N. 2010. The effect of pumice on irrigation frequency and nutritional quality of onion in two types of soil textures under deficit irrigation conditions. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 22 (4): 78-67. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Saberi Z. 2007. The use of zeolite, mica and some inert materials as a substrate for growing tomatoes hydroponically. Master's thesis in soil science. Faculty of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Sahin U, Ors S, Ercisli S, Anapali O and Esitken A. 2005. Effect of pumice amendment on physical soil properties and strawberry plant growth. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 6(3): 361-366. https://hrcak.srce.hr/16889
Saini AK, Patel AM, Saini LH and Malve SH. 2016. Growth, phenology and yield of summer Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) as affected by varied application of water, nutrients and hydrogel. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2(3): 248-252.
Shabani T, Peyvast G and Olfati J. 2011. Investigation of the effect of growing media on quantitative and qualitative traits of three varieties of bell pepper in soilless cultivation system. Greenhouse Crop Sciences and Techniques, 2 (2): 11-21. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Shahbazi H, Sadeghi A, Fazaeli H, Raees-Alif G and Chamani H. 2009. Effect of electron beam irradiation on the parameters of dry matter degradability, neutral detergent insoluble fibers and sugarcane bagasse acids. Journal of Soil and Water Sciences, 13 (47): 485-493. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Singh MC, Singh JP, Pandey SK, Mahay D and Srivastava, V. 2017. Factors affecting the performance of greenhouse cucumber cultivation-a review. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 6(10): 2304-2323.‏ https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.610.273
Singh MC, Singh GK and Singh JP. 2019. Nutrient and water use efficiency of cucumbers grown in soilless media under a naturally ventilated greenhouse. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 21(1): 193-207.‏ DOR: 20.1001.1.16807073.2019.21.1.8.7
Souza AJJ, Guimarães RJ, Dominghetti AW, Scalco MS and Rezende TT. 2016. Water-retaining polymer and seedling type when planting irrigated coffee. Revista Ciência Agronômica, 47: 334-343.‏ https://doi.org/10.5935/1806-6690.20160039
Szmidt RAK and Graham NB. 1989. The effect of poly (ethylene oxide) hydrogel on crop growth under saline conditions. In II International Symposium on Protected Cultivation of Vegetables in Mild Winter Climates. Iraklion, Crete, Greece. Pp. 211-218.‏
Tabatabaei SJ. 2013. Principles of mineral nutrition of plants. Tabriz University Press. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Thombare N, Mishra S, Siddiqui MZ, Jha U, Singh D and Mahajan GR. 2018. Design and development of guar gum-based novel, superabsorbent and moisture retaining hydrogels for agricultural applications. Carbohydrate Polymers, 185: 169-178.‏https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.01.018
Urrestarazu M and Mazuela PC. 2005. Effect of slow-release oxygen supply by fertigation on horticultural crops under soilless culture. Scientia Horticulturae, 106(4): 484-490.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2005.05.010
Wen XX, Zhang DQ, Liao YC, Jia ZK and JI SQ. 2012. Effects of water-collecting and-retaining techniques on photosynthetic rates, yield, and water use efficiency of millet grown in a semiarid region. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 11(7): 1119-1128.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(12)60105-1
Yu L, Zhao X, Gao X and Siddique KH. 2020. Improving/maintaining water-use efficiency and yield of wheat by deficit irrigation: A global meta-analysis. Agricultural Water Management, 228: 105906.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2019.105906
Zhang HX, Chi DC, Qun W, Fang J, Fang XY. 2011. Yield and quality response of cucumber to irrigation and nitrogen fertilization under subsurface drip irrigation in solar greenhouse. Agricultural Sciences in China, 10(6): 921-930.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/S1671-2927(11)60077-1
Zinivand N, Khodadadi Dehkordi D, Kashkuli HA, Asareh A, Egdernezhad A. 2019. Evaluation of superabsorbent effect on the yield and water use efficiency of cucumber under water deficit conditions. Iranian Water Research Journal, 14 (2): 88-71. (In Persian with English Abstract).
 
Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production
Volume 37, Issue 3
October 2027
Pages 231-248

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics