Yield of Cucumis sativus L. ‘Centauro’ depending on population density and addition of macro- and micronutrients

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is widely cultivated for its edible fruits, since it is an important source of nutrients, fiber and vitamins A and C in human diet. Research on plant growth has shown that plants assimilation of macro- and micronutrients after foliar application helps to synthesize proteins and promote plant growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield of C. sativus ‘Centauro’ as a function of doses of the macro- and micronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, cobalt, molybdenum and fulvic acids and naphthaleneacetic acid and planting density, under open field conditions. The 12 treatments resulted from the combination of three planting densities and four doses of foliar fertilizer. Nine foliar applications of the nutrients were made during the entire crop cycle. Planting 5 plants m^‑2 resulted in the highest yield (59.4 t ha^‑1), while with 2.5 L ha^‑1 the average yield was 66.2 t ha^‑1. At a density of 5 plants m^-2 and 2.5 L ha^‑1 of macro- and micronutrient doses, the highest values for leaf area, leaf area index weight of fruit and yield were achieved; for each unit that increased those variables, the fruit yield increased.