A novel low-tech lined bed cultivation enhances drought stress tolerance of cucumber in semi-arid conditions

Water scarcity and nutrient leaching limit cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production in semi-arid sandy soils. This study evaluated a low-tech lined trench-bed system, incorporating polyethylene liners to reduce deep percolation and nutrient loss, under protected cultivation in Nubaria, Egypt (summer season). The study compared two cultivation systems (lined vs. non-lined beds) under two irrigation regimes (100% and 50% ETc; crop evapotranspiration). Lined beds significantly enhanced shoot and root biomass, vine height, leaf number, and leaf area under deficit irrigation, with values comparable to full irrigation, while non-lined beds showed sharp reductions. Foliar N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in lined beds at 50% ETc were statistically similar to 100% ETc, contrasting with 35–55% declines in non-lined beds. Physiologically, lined beds maintained chlorophyll content and leaf relative water content, while minimizing proline and malondialdehyde accumulation, indicating improved osmotic adjustment and membrane stability. Yield was sustained in lined beds under deficit irrigation (26.56 kg m⁻²; 14.4% reduction from 100% ETc) compared to sharp declines in non-lined beds (11.31 kg m⁻²; 63.6% reduction). The highest water use efficiency WUE (98.37 kg m⁻³) occurred in lined beds at 50% ETc, over double the equivalent non-lined treatment. The lined trench-bed effectively preserves growth, nutrient status, physiological integrity, and yield under drought, offering a scalable solution for water-limited horticulture.