Effect of organic fertilizers on cucumber ( Cucumis sativus) yield

In order to study the effect of organic fertilizer on cucumber yield an experiment was conducted during 2013 growing season in Shirvan region of Iran. The experiment was randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The treatments included, 50 t/h cow manure, 14 and 7 t/h vermicompost, 7 t/h urban waste compost, 4 kg/h spray of NPK( 20-20-20), Marian algae spray and check ( no fertilizer). The results showed that in spite of no significant different among 50 t/h cow manure, 14 t/h vermicompost and chemical fertilizer, using 14 t/h vermicompost produced higher cucumber yield compared with all other treatments and this treatment showed 24% more yield than chemical fertilizer. The root dry weight increment in this treatment was also 33.9% more than chemical fertilizer. Both of 50 t/h cow, manure and 14 t/h vermicompost produced the highest plant dry weight compared with other treatments. Using 14 t/h vermicompost showed the highest cucumber weight. 50 t/h cow manure produced the highest number of cucumber per plant. Generally according to results of this experiment using 14 t/h vermicompost or 50 t/h cow manure are advisable to produce more cucumber yield compared with chemical fertilizer and other treatments.