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Background: Calcium nitrate is a widely used fertilizer in the preparation of nutrient solutions. However, there is still a need to determine the effects of different levels of calcium nitrate on the Persian cucumber crop to optimize fertilization practices and improve crop yield. Objective: To determine the effects of two levels of calcium nitrate in the nutrient solution on the growth, yield, and nutrient content of two Persian cucumber hybrids (Bereket and Cruz). Methodology: The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (two hybrids and two nutrient solutions) under greenhouse conditions. Results: The nutrient solution with 11 meq L-1 of calcium nitrate increased the concentration of nitrate and calcium in the petiole sap of the Cruz hybrid in the flowering stage; however, the yield of both hybrids decreased. On the other hand, the nutrient solution with 9 meq L-1 of calcium nitrate increased the number of fruits of both hybrids and the yield per plant of the Cruz hybrid. Implications: The Cruz hybrid showed to be more efficient in calcium uptake than the Bereket hybrid, which is interesting since it could require less calcium application without affecting yield. However, other studies are necessary to expand this information. Conclusion: The nutrient solution containing 9 meq L-1 of calcium nitrate showed a significant increase in the number of fruits per plant for both the Cruz and Bereket hybrids. This highlights the importance of appropriate calcium nitrate supplementation in the nutrient solution, as it enhances the production of hydroponically grown Persian cucumbers.

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Abstract: This study was conducted in Date Palm Technology Company Limited, Shambat, Khartoum State. To evaluate performance of three types of evaporative cooling pads for greenhouses (celdek pads, straw pads and sliced wood pads), as compared to the conditions outside the greenhouses (control), for pads. Performance evaluation includes environmental parameters (temperature and relative humidity at 8am, 1pm and 6pm) and crop parameters (length and stem diameter, leaves number and width, fruit length and diameter, fruit weight and dry matter and yield). The results obtained for the temperature at 8am showed that there was no significant difference (0.05) inside the greenhouses, while a high significant difference between the conditions inside and outside of the greenhouses was found. Significant differences were found at 1pm and 6pm between all treatments as compared to the conditions outside the greenhouses, and the results obtained for relative humidity showed high significant differences at 8am and 1pm inside the greenhouses and between inside and outside the greenhouse, respectively, while there was no significant difference at 6pm inside the greenhouses and between inside and outside the greenhouses. On the other hand, the results obtained for crop parameters showed that there were significant differences between all parameters inside the greenhouses and outside the greenhouses; however, the greenhouses with sliced wood pads gave the highest yield and the greenhouses with straw pads gave the least and conditions outside gave the lowest. This study indicated that the sliced wood pads are better than the other evaporative cooling pads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]