Effect of foliar spraying and soil fertilization with the seaweed extracts 'Marine' and 'Grental C' on the chemical content of cucumber leaves and fruit quality under protected cultivation conditions.

Abstract

The study was conducted in Hamimim village, Jableh, Latakia, Syria, within an unheated plastic greenhouse during spring 2023, on hybrid cucumber "Romano F1" to investigate the effect of two seaweed extracts (Marine and Grental C) on leaf nutrient content and fruit quality. The experiment included 5 treatments: T₀ (control), T₁ (foliar spray with Marine), T₂ (foliar spray with Grental C), T₃ (soil application with Marine), and T4 (soil application with Grental C), at 1.50 ml/L, with 4 replicates and 10 plants each, using RCBD.

Results showed foliar spray superiority (T₂, T₁) in leaf nitrogen (3.12%, 2.95%), potassium (4.35%, 4.29%), phosphorus (0.36%, 0.35%), iron (188.9, 182.6 ppm), and manganese (66.48, 62.98 ppm). They also excelled in fruit weight (135.3, 134.9 g), dry matter (4.60%, 4.55%), firmness (5.66, 5.33 g/cm²), and vitamin C (13.39, 13.22 mg/100g), while soil treatments were superior in TSS (3.81%, 3.75%). All treatments reduced nitrate versus control. Results confirm the importance of seaweed extracts, especially foliar spray, on "Romano F1" cucumber to improve leaf nutrition and fruit quality.