Cucumber downy mildew: It was found that by using Haifa's products, the pesticide expenses were reduced considerably
| Crop/cultivar | Cucumbers / Hassan (protected conditions) |
|---|---|
| Country / location | Israel / Baqaa- el- Garbia / Mouasi farm |
| Objectives | Prevent & combat mildew disease |
| Haifa product tested | MAP & MKP |
| Application method | Foliar nutrition |
| Tested treatment | 8 Weekly sprayings @ 2% MKP or 1.5% MAP only, or alternating with Ophir, in 500 lit./ha by air-blast sprayer. |
| Control treatment results | Unsprayed control is significantly inferior to all treatments checked. Ophir- sprayed control is significantly superior to all treatments checked. Grower’s revenue from yield: 400 US$/MT |
| Best treatment results | 2% MKP or 1.5% MAP alternating with Ophir were better than 2% MKP or 1.5% MAP only. Indicative data for the last part of growth season (figures indicate % leaf area covered by the fungus): Ophir:2.33B; MKP/ Ophir: 5.68B; MAP/ Ophir: 6.40B; MAP:24.30B; MKP: 31.65B; unsprayed control: 83.75A. Grower’s revenue from yield: 400 US$/MT |
| Characteristics of best treatment |
Alternation between MAP or MKP and Ophir were significantly better than unsprayed control, without side-effects. Thus, fungicide applications were reduced by 50%, (reduced environmental pollution). MAP and MKP sprayed alone caused some leaf-burns, which can be associated with high-temperature events in the greenhouse. Cost of treatment (application + material) 300 US$/ha |
| Net benefit of best treatment | 2,000 US$/ha |
| Benefit/Cost ratio | 8.3 |
| Conclusions |
Alternation between MKP (or MAP) and Ophir, can considerably reduce pesticide expenses and be more environment friendly. |
| Reference | N. Genaim (ministry of Agriculture), M. Gundia, and F. Mouasi |
Need more information about growing cucumbers? You can always return to the cucumber fertilizer & cucumber crop guide table of contents or the cucumber growth stages
Related Articles:
NPK Fertilizers - Water Soluble Fertilizers
Plant Fertilizer & Plant Nutrition
