ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of saline water to grow cucumbers cultivated in substrate composed of coconut fiber and washed fine sand (1:1) and submitted to split-root system. The experimental design was completely randomized, with eight treatments and four replicates. Treatments consisted of different fertigation managements, comprising two nutrient solutions of different electrical conductivities (1.65 and 6.25 dS m-1), applied in a continuous or alternated way, with splitting or not of the root system (S/S). Growth and yield variables were evaluated. The use of water with electrical conductivity of 6.25 dS m-1 to prepare the nutrient solution caused significant reduction in all variables of cucumber growth and production. Adoption of split-root system with simultaneous application of the two water types increased cucumber tolerance to salinity.
Key words:
Cucumis sativus; salinity; split root system