The effects of nitrogen and irrigation interval on broomrape (Orbanche aegyptiaca) damage reduction in host plant (Cucumis sativa L.) in greenhouse condition

In order to study the effects of nitrogen and irrigation interval on Broomrape (Orbanche aegyptiaca) damage reduction in cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.), an experiment with two factors, nitrogen (urea in three levels 100,200 and 300 Kg/ha) and irrigation interval (with three levels 3,6 and 9 day) in three replications was performed in the greenhouse of Northern Khorasan Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center. The results showed that the growing velocity was maximum in the treatment of 200 Kg N/ha. However, height and the number of cucumbers were lower. The effect of irrigation interval on the number of flowering days was significant, whereas nitrogen fertilizer did not have a significant influence on this parameter. Hence, irrigation level rising caused reduction in the number of flowering days. Maximum length and diameter of cucumber was observed in the treatment of highest nitrogen level and minimum irrigation interval or the treatment of lowest nitrogen level and medium irrigation interval. The maximum number of cucumbers and weight was obtained in maximum nitrogen and irrigation interval. In addition, rising irrigation interval caused the number of cucumber increase and decrease in cucumber weight. The maximum wet weight of shoot and root was observed in the highest nitrogen treatment. On the other hand, the maximum wet weight of shoot and root was derived from the highest nitrogen and medium irrigation treatment and the highest nitrogen and minimum irrigation interval treatment, respectively. The comparison of water percent in wet and dry weight of shoot showed that the highest value was observed in 300 and 100 Kg N/ha treatments respectively. Maximum shoot/root ratio was observed in the treatment of 100 Kg N/ha and a six-day irrigation interval.