Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) holds significant economic and nutritional importance. To augment its growth and yield, nutrients play a very vital role. The experiment encompassed the application of two different concentrations of SA, specifically 200 mg kg-1 and 400 mg kg-1, alongside zinc at 25 mg kg-1 and boron at 50 mg kg-1. The combination of SA at 400 mg kg-1 with boron at 50 mg kg-1 and zinc at 25 mg kg-1 demonstrated noteworthy results with respect to growth parameters namely, vine length (333.33 cm), node count of 45.46, and leaf area measuring 565.149 cm², at 60 days after sowing. Additionally, this combination yielded the highest fruit yield per vine (4.37 kg) and an overall total yield of 136.78 t ha-1, suggesting potential synergistic effects. The study faced challenges in optimizing the nutrient application for enhanced cucumber growth and yield. Despite the complexities, the strategic combination of salicylic acid, boron and zinc showcased remarkable improvements. The response to foliar application of SA at 400 mg kg-1 with boron at 50 mg kg-1 and zinc at 25 mg kg-1 exhibited significant variations among treatments, offering promising avenues for the advancement of cucumber cultivation.

Boron, Foliar spray, Parthenocarpic cucumber, Salicylic acid, Zinc

The continual availability of salicylic acid, boron and zinc to the crop has influenced the growth and performance of the crop due to the effect of salicylic acid, which plays a crucial role in raising the levels of plant hormones auxins and cytokinins that might have aided in vegetative growth and yield of the crop. Boron plays a role in the growth and development of new cells at the meristematic region which may have influenced the growth of vine. Zinc applied as a foliar spray has improved the availability and uptake of mineral nutrients in the root region of the plant and that might have had an impact on the growth and development of the plant. The observed outcomes consistently highlight the positive effects of treatment T8 [SA2 (400 mg kg-1) + B (50 mg kg-1) + Zn (25 mg kg-1)] on various facets of crop development. Enhanced growth parameters, increased yield, and improved quality metrics collectively contribute to positioning T8 as a valuable component in the optimization of cucumber crop production.

Akshata, Shalini M., Vasanthi B.G. and Mallikarjuna Gowda A.P. (2023). Effect of Foliar Application of Salicylic acid (SA) along with Micronutrients (Boron & Zinc) on Growth and Yield of Parthenocarpic Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 436-442.