Dynamic modeling of cucumber crop growth and uptake of N, P and K under greenhouse conditions

Abstract One of the available tools used to increase the productivity of crops is the mathematical modeling. This allows us to design management strategies without the need for expensive experiments; however, this technology has been applied mainly to tomato under greenhouse conditions. For other crops, there is not enough information available. As to generate the necessary information for the calibration and validation of a dynamic growth and mineral absorption model –originally implemented in tomato cultivation– two cycles of cucumber (Vitaly and Luxell varieties) were carried out mainly because cucumber stands out as one of the crops that is mostly grown under greenhouse conditions. Mineral analyzes (N, P and K) were performed to determine their behavior in the different cucumber organs during the development of the crop. The percentages of minerals contained in each organ and in the whole plant were obtained. These percentages were included in the mathematical model in order to dynamically simulate their behavior. The results show that the growth model output adequately simulates leaf and fruit weight ( EF  > 0.95 and Index  > 0.95), as well as indices above 0.95 for harvested fruit and leaves. Regarding minerals, indices above 0.90 were obtained, where N was the element that showed the lowest indices during the validation process of the model (0.90). This model can be useful to define adequate nutrition strategies for Vitaly and Luxell cucumber varieties.