Abstract

Silicon (Si) is beneficial for plants that are under unfavorable conditions. In this study conducted under greenhouse conditions at Chapingo Autonomous University, Si fertilization was tested to examine whether it affected yields, biometrics, physiological parameters, and nutritional attributes of cucumber plants cultivated at different moisture levels in the substrate. Fifteen treatments were tried in a completely randomized design, including three moisture levels (50-60%, 75-85%, and 90-100% of container capacity (CC) and five Si doses (0, 50, 100 mg L^-1 SiO₂, 2 g L^-1, and 3 g L^-1 Wollastonite). Uniform irrigation was applied until the 18^th day after transplantation, and controlled irrigation was applied according to the moisture levels until the end of the experiment. 3 g L^-1 of wollastonite under 75-85% CC enhanced cucumber yield by 24.9% in comparison to untreated plants, while no Si dose affected fruit length, diameter, weight, and total soluble solids. At 90-100% of CC, 50 mg L^-1 SiO₂ increased the aerial biomass production (ABP) of the plants by 9.3%, and at 50-60% of CC, 100 mg L^-1 SiO₂ generated 11.8% more aerial biomass than untreated plants. As Si did not affect root production, mainly at 50-60% of CC, it improved chlorophyll a, b, and the total content of the leaves. Different parts of the plant saw significant increases in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Si concentrations because of Si’s interactions with moisture levels. When the substrate is low in moisture, Si is likely to improve cucumber yields, physiological, and nutritional characteristics of the plant.

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