Effects of NPK deficiencies on root architecture and growth of cucumber

A hydroponics culture was carried out to study the effects of N, P, K deficiencies on root traits of cucumber, including root length, root surface area, projected area, average root diameter and biomass. The results showed that compared with control, N and K deficiencies reduced cucumber shoot weight by 17.39 g/plant and 7.31 g/plant, root mass by 5.68 and 7.05 g/plant correspondingly, and decreased all values of root traits. P deficiency lessened 9.72 g/plant shoot weight but increased 0.45 g/plant root weight by raised 71.1% root volume, 31.4% total root length, 44.3% surface area, 48.7% projected area and 8.8% average diameter. The ratio of root/shoot was enhanced by 101.8% in N deficiency and 74.1% in P deficiency, but reduced by 33.3% in K treatment. It reveals a potential of shaping root system by deficient nutrient application.