Response of greenhouse cucumber to growth stage-based irrigation and fertigation scheduling

Efficient cucumber production under protected conditions requires precise synchronization of irrigation and nutrient supply with crop demand. A two‑year experiment was conducted employing 2 × 6 factorial arrangements comprising two irrigation regimes (I1-0.8 ETc during the first 2 months and 1.0 ETc thereafter, and I2- 0.8 ETc during the first 2 months and 1.0 ETc thereafter) and six fertilizer schedules viz. F1- 75% N, F2- 75% NK, F3-75% NPK, F4- 50% NPK, F5- 75% NK + 50% P and F6- 50% NK + 25% P fertigation and remaining nutrient requirements supplied as basal, resulting in 12 combinations laid out in a completely randomized design. I2F5 treatment promoted better root development and resulted in the highest yield (234.42 tonne ha−1), net returns (US $ 49,420.7 ha−1), and benefit–cost ratio (5.11). In comparison, deficit irrigation (I1) improved fruit quality (total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, and sugar fractions) and increased water use efficiency and water productivity by 11.50% and 14.06%, respectively, along with higher returns per unit water used. Overall, the results highlighted a trade-off between yield, fruit quality, and water productivity.