Optimum nutrient range in cucumber [Cucumis sativus L., cv. Brunex F-1] plants. II. Ionic content and balance

Cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Brunex F-1), were grown under contr olled greenhouse conditions at Almeria (Southern Spain). The experimental d esign consisted of 27 plots to which. Increasing levels of N, P, and K were applied. The leaves and fruits were a nalysed determine: total and soluble Ca, Mg, Na, K, cations (C+), anions (A (-)) and ionic balance (C+ - A). The optimal range of Ca was achieved in ma ny replicates while the opposite was true found for soluble Ca. For total K , many replicates had value placed between the optimal and high intervals, as opposed to total Na. The soluble K showed a similar distribution of the plots among the intervals whereas for soluble Na, most of the plots remaine d in the optimal range. The results for total Mg and Ca in fruit revealed v ery low values. The opposite was found for soluble Mg and Ca, most falling within the optimum range. Most of the replicates presented high levels of t otal and soluble K. Cation-anion balance was optimum in most of the plots. In fruit, most plots showed optimum or supraoptimum levels of cations, anio ns and ionic balance.