USE OF GROWTH REGULATORS AND MICROBIAL PREPARATIONS FOR CUCUMBER GROWING IN FILM GREENHOUSES
Authors: Kuts O. , Pidlubenko I. , Chayuk O. , Ovchinnikova O. , Konovalenko K. 
Published: March 2023

Vegetable growing is one of the leading branches of the agro-industrial complex. However, the production of vegetable products does not satisfy the average annual consumption of fresh vegetables by humans. The use of plant growth regulators of synthetic and organic origin in different periods of ontogenesis provide stimulation of a wide range of processes related to the vegetative and reproductive sphere of plants, contribute to increasing productivity, improving product quality, and increasing resistance to adverse environmental factors and therefore is a promising direction of modern vegetable growing.

The purpose of the research – to determine the effect of plant growth regulators and biological products on the growth and development of Lyrik F1 hybrid cucumber plants and crop formation in film greenhouses without additional heating.

The research included the following stages and methods: 1) determining the effectiveness of plant growth regulators based on humic acids, biologically active substances and complex microfertilizers; 2) research on the effectiveness of growth regulators of microbial origin.

The research scheme for the first stage (2016–2018) provided for the following options: control (water treatment), application of plant growth regulators based on humic substances (Hydrohumin (1,5 l/ha), Gulliver Stimul (1,0 l/ha), Vympel Maxi (1,0 l/ha)), based on biologically active substances (Epin extra (0,08 l/ha), salicylic and succinic acids (0.1 kg/ha each) and complex microfertilizer KompleMet (1,0 l/ha). Treatment with drugs was carried out in four stages: seed soaking (12-hour exposure) and 3-time spraying of plants in the ontogenesis phase: 3-4 real leaves, the beginning of flowering and the beginning of fruiting.

The research scheme for the second stage (2019–2021) included different treatment options for cucumber seeds with 12-hour exposure: control (water), Azotophyt - p (30 ml/kg), Mycofriend (30 ml/kg) and HelpRost for seeds ( 20 ml/kg).

The technology of growing the new parthenocarpic cucumber hybrid Lyrik F1 is generally accepted for film greenhouses without heating. Protection against diseases and pests is chemical (Previkur) at the beginning of the growing season, and biological (Mycohelp, Fitocide, Actoverm formula, Actofit).

The results. For growing cucumbers in film greenhouses, it is effective to use the plant growth regulators Gulliver Stimul, Vimpel Maxi, Epin extra, salicylic acid and microfertilizers (seed treatment and 3-time spraying of plants in the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the beginning of flowering and the beginning of fruiting) A supplement that provides an increase in fruit yield by 1,63–2,48 kg/m2 or 12,3–18,7%. Seed treatment with the microbial preparation Azotophyt-r and organo-mineral fertilizer HelpRost rooted is also effective, which contributes to the growth of the length of the main stem by 13,6–48,4%, the number of leaves – by 7,0–20,9%, the area of the leaves – by 17,8–39,3% and an increase in productivity by 2,05–3,77 kg/m2 or 13,9–25,6% relative to control.