Alternative Approach of Growing Cucumber Using Locally Produced Seaweed-Based Organic Fertilizer

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether seaweed drippings, as a foliar fertilizer, could act alone or as a supplement to other fertilizers in bringing significant changes to crop growth, yield, and post-harvest qualities of cucumber. This is because there are reports of its fungicidal properties, suggesting it could substitute for the effects of conventional fertilization in other crops. The application of different types of fertilizers and levels of seaweed-based foliar fertilizer (SbFF) does not contribute to the significant improvement of days to flower emergence, sex ratio, number of fruits developed, fruit length, chlorophyll content, plant nutrient status, and post-harvest qualities of cucumber. However, significant improvements were observed in dry matter yield, fruit weight, and yield. A single application of synthetic fertilizer or vermin compost produced longer fruits and heavier dry matter; however, the inclusion of SbFF as a supplement did not further improve these parameters. In addition, foliar supplementation of SbFF to a basal application of both inorganic and vermicompost did not further improve its yield. However, when SbFF was applied alone, a dramatic improvement in yield was observed compared to the unfertilized treatment. Hence, the foliar application of seaweed-based fertilizer is not merely a supplement to fertilizer, but can also bring about significant changes in cucumber yield. This treatment yielded better performance than the control and was comparable to the yield of cucumber plants singly applied with vermicompost and the recommended rate of fertilizer. This increased yield further resulted in higher profit.