Soilless cucumber cultivation under protective structures in relation to irrigation coupled fertigation management, economic viability and potential benefits - A review

The protected cultivation of cucumber in soilless systems (substrate culture, hydroponic, aeroponic etc.) under optimal operating microclimatic conditions has become an alternative for sustainable vegetable production as a result of shifting climatic scenarios and soil related problems. The soilless cultivation in both open and closed systems with efficient utilization of water and nutrients has significantly increased the greenhouse cucumber productivity compared to conventional cultivation under both protective structures and open field conditions.