Growth and development of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) biostimulated with Quitomax

Abstract

Chitosan is a biostimulant of natural origin that stimulates the growth and development of crops, improving their yield. Several studies have proven the efficacy of chitosan to improve cucumber production, however, the optimal dose of chitosan has not yet been determined, therefore the objective of the present study was determine the effect of six concentrations of chitosan on the growth and production of the cucumber crop. Six treatments: T₁= Control; T₂= Quitomax 100 mg L^-1; T₃= Quitomax 200 mg L^-1; T₄= Quitomax 300 mg L^-1; T₅= 400 mg L^-1 and T₆= 500 mg L^-1, were applied by manual spraying at 15, 30 and 45 d after transplanting the hybrid cucumber Diamante F₁, using a randomized block experimental design. The variables length of the guide, number of fruits per plant, length, diameter and weight of the fruit, and yield in kg ha^-1 were recorded. The length of the guide was measured at 15, 30 and 45 d, so for this variable a model of repeated measurements in time and means of least squares was used to compare the concentrations of chitosan, for the rest of the variables an orthogonal polynomial analysis was used to determine the response of the variables to the different concentrations of chitosan. All the variables were increased in response to the application of chitosan, presenting a positive linear response. It is concluded that chitosan influences the growth and development of the cucumber plant. Increasing its yield as the dose of chitosan increases. The dose of 500 mg L^-1 in this study was the one that had the best results. The need to study higher doses of chitosan is suggested.