Impact of Artificial Light and Albert Fertilizer on Growth, Yield, and Economic Viability of Salad Cucumber under Controlled Conditions

An experiment was conducted in two protected houses to evaluate growth, yield, and economic feasibility of salad cucumber cultivation, influenced by artificial light and varying rates of Albert fertilizer. The experiment was conducted using a two-factor factorial (2 x 2) completely randomized design with five replicates. The two tested factors were presence of artificial light (with and without) and the fertilizer rate (1.5 g and 2.0 g per plant per day). Growth and yield parameters were measured, and collected data were analysed using analysis of variance. Subsequently, means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. The cost-benefit ratio was used to evaluate the economic feasibility. According to the results, significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) vine length, number of leaves per vine and leaf chlorophyll content were observed at the 1.5 g per plant per day with artificial lights. Additionally, significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) fresh fruit weight per vine, number of fruits per vine, and leaf area of the 21st leaf were recorded at the fertilizer rate of 1.5 g per plant per day and with artificial lights. In conclusion, application of Albert fertilizer at the rate of 1.5 g per plant per day with artificial light is the most effective treatment. Moreover, the cultivation of salad cucumber with artificial lights is economically viable when farmers use their own labour.