Effect of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) and rice husk on pH of soilless media and yield of Cucumis sativus

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) and rice husk on pH of soilless media and yield of Cucumis sativus (cucumber). Ten polybags were provided for each treatment that consisted of IMO treated media (T1), rice husk treated media (T2), and control media (T3). Every treatment was supplied with 1.9 dS/m EC nutrient solutions and the pH was being measured every two consecutive days until the plants had been harvested. Based on the results, there were significant differences in the pH media and the fruit yield between the treatments. The media containing rice husk had a significant increase in the pH media and was consistent in maintaining the average pH media within the range of 6.6 to 6.7, while fruit yield of cucumber recorded the highest number as compared with the other treatments. The findings had revealed that T2 had resulted in 60 cucumbers (22.66 kg) being harvested, followed by T3 with 45 cucumbers (17.53 kg) and T1 with 45 cucumbers (17.11 kg). It can be safely concluded that the medium containing treated RHA was the best for obtaining high yield of cucumber in soilless media as a local growing media due to the superior of its potential constraint of chemical fertiliser while keeping the stability to continue the growth and fruit production for a long period of time.