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IJBPAS, September, 2015, 4(9): 5915-5932

ISSN: 2277–4998

EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM ON GROWTH, FRUIT QUALITY AND SUGAR CONTENT IN CUCUMBER UNDER VARIOUS LIGHT INTENSITIES RASOUL AZARMI1*, SEYED JALAL TABATABAEI2, NADER CHAPARZADEH3 1

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran 2 3

Faculty of Agriculture, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani, Tabriz, Iran *Corresponding Author: E Mail: [email protected]; Fax: +98 45 32715417 ABSTRACT

The effect of various Mg concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 mM) in the nutrient solution on plant growth, fruit quality and sugars content in hydroponicallygrown cucumber (Cucumis sativuscv. Nagen 792) under optimum(100%)and low (50%) light intensities was evaluated.The results showed that the decreases in the dry matter, SPAD index and soluble protein and accumulation of soluble sugar and starch content in the leaves Mg deficiency (0 mM Mg)are suggestive of decreased growth, and the decrease induced by Mg deficiency was bigger under low light intensity than under optimum light intensity. Plant growth was improved at 3 mM Mg, but it was reduced when the Mg concentration increased (4 mM Mg). Concentration of Mg in the leaf and fruit increased drastically with increasing Mg in the nutrient solution. This became steadily more pronounced under low light intensity. Mg deficiency plants (0 mM Mg) developed visible symptoms- interveinal necrosis in middle leaves, especially optimum light intensity.Fruit quality traits such as fruit dry matter percentage and total soluble solid (TSS) and fruit Fv/Fm were increased at higher concentration of Mg (3 mM) in the solution, especially under optimum light intensity. But, fruit firmness was improved at lower concentration of Mg (1 mM) in the solution especially in optimum light intensity In conclusion, Mg requirement of cucumber plants likely increases with light intensity. Thus, higher concentration of Mg (3 mM) in the

5915 IJBPAS, September, 2015, 4(9)

Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

nutrient solution was the most favorable for cucumber plant growth and fruit quality grown in hydroponics. Keywords: Mg, Growth, Quality, Cucumber, Light intensity INTRODUCTION Mg is an essential element for plant

supply on Mg-deficiency plants caused to

growth and development and fruit quality.

increase fruittotal soluble solid (TSS), dry

Apart from being a central atom of the

matter and juice acidity, [21]. Excessive

chlorophyll molecule, Mg also acts as

supply of Mg to fruit has negative effects

activator or regulator of many key

on fruit firmness, texture and storability

enzymes in plant physiological processes

that

[38,

antagonistic

50].Both

Mg

deficiency

and

are

mainly

determined

by

relationship

with

oversupply have detrimental effects on

Ca[36].Despite

plant photosynthesis [49], consequently

fundamental

roles

resulting in abnormal or restricted growth

metabolism,

there

of plants [50]). Mgplays a fundamental

information on interactions between Mg

roles in phloem export of photosynthates

and light intensity on fruit quality of

so that a deficiency of Mg restricts the

cucumber.

partitioning of dry matter between roots

The responses of plants to different Mg

and shoots to result in excessive sugar,

concentrations are not only affected by

starch and amino acid accumulation in

Mg availability in the root zone, but also

leaves

chlorophyll

depend on light intensity, temperature and

breakdown, an over- reduction in the

species[10, 27]. The roles of Mg in plant

photosynthetic electron transport chain

metabolism

and the generation of highly reactive

conditions are well known [9]. The

oxygen

of

authors indicated that the Mg requirement

CO2

is increased under high-light conditions.

(source

species

impairment

in

tissues),

(ROS)

because

photosynthetic

the

its

well-known

of Mg is

particularly

in

very

under

plant limited

stress

fixation [9,25].

The higher requirement of Mg under high

Mg had a greater effect on quality

light might be reduced to the fact that

parameters, when Mg was supplies to

under suboptimal Mg supply and high

low-Mg plants. However, there were no

light processes are induced which finally

additional benefits when Mg was supplied

lead to accumulation of reactive oxygen

to plants already grown under adequate

species (ROS) and thus plant damage. As

Mg supply conditions [8]. Increasing Mg

plants are subjected to various light


Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

intensities at different seasons, this may

variations. The greenhouse was under

alter the ability of plants to take up and

natural

translocate

the

spring and summer and air temperature

adjustment of Mg concentration in the

was set to 27 ± 2 ˚C and 18 ± 2 ˚C in the

nutrient solution according to the light

day and at night, respectively. The

intensity should be crucial. The objective

experiment was a split-plot design with

of this experiment was to determine the

light intensity as the main plot and various

effects of Mg and light intensity on

Mg concentrations as subplot with three

cucumber growth and qualitytraits in

replications in each treatment. Each plot

hydroponics.

contained three plants. The plants were

MATERIALS AND METHODS

treated with five Mg concentrations (0, 1,

Plant materials and growth conditions

2, 3 and 4 mM) as MgSO4.7H2O.

The experiment was carried out at the

Treatments were labelled Mg 0, Mg 1, Mg

Department of Horticultural

Science,

2, Mg 3 and Mg 4. The plants were

University of Tabriz, Iran. Cucumber

subjected to two light intensity treatments

(Cucumis sativus L. cv. Nagen 792) seeds

[optimum

were sown in cells plug trays filled with

intensities] using green shade netting

vermiculite, after emergence of two true

suspended above the box frame with the

leaves, seedlings were transplanted to a

size of 1.5 m × 8 m × 4 m. the box frames

14l growth bags (70, 20,10 cm) filled with

were randomly placed in the greenhouse.

a mixture of perlite and vermiculite (1:1

Everyday light intensity at the canopy

v/v). The nutrient solution was prepared

height under the shaded netting and in the

based on full strength of Hoagland's

glasshouse was monitored using a light-

solution [26]containing: 5.6 mM Ca

meter (Skye Instrument. Powys. UK). The

(NO3)2, 4 mM KNO3, 1 mM KH2PO4. The

average of light intensity under shaded

solution pH was maintained close to 6.5

netting and in the glasshouse (unshaded)

by

over entire period of experimentation is

adding

Mg.

It

H2SO4.

seems

The

that

electrical

photoperiod

(100%)

condition

low

(50%)

during

light

conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution

shown in Fig.1.

was within the range 2.2 - 2.4 dS m- 1.in

Data collection and chemical analysis

order to keep the anionic-cationic balance

At the end of the experiment, two plants

and a similar electrical conductivity for

from each treatment harvested and the

the five solutions, mineral concentrations

internode diameter were recorded. The

were adjusted leading to only slight

plant organs divided into leaf and stem,


Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

weighed and then all plant parts dried at

Japan). Titratable acidity was measured

80 ˚C in an air-forced oven for 48 h for

by titrating with 0.1 M NaOH to the

determination of leaf and stem dry matter.

neutralization point. Before chlorophyll

The percentage leaf and stem dry weight

fluorescence measurements, fruits were

was then calculated as below: [(Dry

dark-adapted for 30 min using a dark

weight/ Fresh weight) ×100]. Chlorophyll

towel. Measurements were taken in the

index value of fully expanded young

middle and near the neck position

leaves was determined using a portable

positions of each fruit at the same location

SPAD-502 meter (Minolta, Tokyo, Japan)

in the fruit surface and then averaged. The

during the period of the plant's growth.

maximal

Fruit

a

photochemistry (Fv/Fm) was measured

representative sample collected at the

using a plant efficiency analyzer, Handy

same position from plants in each

PEA (Hansatech Instruments). Ten fruits

treatment. The samples were taken from

per treatment per replicate were used for

fruits with the same size. Each fruit was

the determination of fruit dry weight.

cut in to pieces and homogenized in a

Each individual fruit from each treatment

conventional blender in order to obtain the

was placed in a sampling bag and dried in

fruit juice. Thereafter, the fruit juice was

the oven at a temperature of 80°C for 48 h

filtered using a Whitman No. 4 filter

until a constant weight was obtained. The

paper and the filtrate was used to

percentage dry weight was calculated as

determine the pH, EC and TSS. The TSS

below: [(Dry weight/ Fresh weight)

content of the fruit was determined by

×100].

using a digital refractometer (Atago Co.,

Soluble sugars were extracted using the

Tokyo, Japan). The juice pH and EC was

method

measured by pH meter and EC meter,

About 0.5 g of dried leaf samples were

respectively.

extracted three times in 5ml of hot 80 %

quality

was

The

measured

measurement

in

fruit

quantum

described

yield

by

of

PS

II

Sheligl(1986).

a

ethanol (80 ˚C)[51]. The supernatants

penetrometer (Model: ST 977. Italy). A

from each extraction were combined and

thin layer of the middle of fruit skin (0.5

made to a convenient volume. 1 ml 5 %

mm) was removed by a sharp razor and

(w/v) phenol and 5ml concentrated H2SO4

fruit color or the extent of greening was

were added to 2 ml the plant extract and

measured

chlorophyll-meter

mixed thoroughly. The reaction mixture

(SPAD-502, Konica, Minolta, Osaka,

was allowed to stand for 30 min before

firmness

was

using

determined

a

using


Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

the absorbance was recorded at 485 using

Statistical Analysis

a spectrophotometer (Motic, CL-45240-

A statistical analysis was made using

00, Hong Kong, china). Total sugar

analysis of variance the SPSS 21 software

content of the sample was calculated

and the means were separated by the

based on calibration curve from a glucose

Duncan test at a significance level of 0.05.

working standard.Starch

The graphs were drawn using Excel

content

was

extracted from the residual plant material

software.

from

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

the

soluble

sugar

extraction

described above. This was done by

Vegetative growth

incubating the dry pellet with 2 ml HCl

The results showed that the highest leaf

(4.68M) in boiling water bath for 15 min.

dry matter percentage was obtained in 3

the soluble products were assayed by the

and 4 mM Mg treatments. The leaf dry

same phenol-sulphuric method described

matter percent in concentration of 0 mM

above.

was

Mg was slightly higher than concentration

determined in according to Bradford

of 1 mM Mg. Low light intensity largely

(1976) using bovine serum albumin as

decreased

standard[5]. To measure the Mg, Leaves

compared to optimum light intensity

and fruits washed with distilled water

(Table

were oven-dried at 80 ˚C for 48 h and

agreement with the finding of Lasa et al

weighed. The dry samples were ground to

(2000) who showed that concentration of

pass through a 0.5-mm screen. 1 g dry

0 mM Mg decreased 40 – 50% of shoot

samples of leaves and fruits a were soaked

biomass compared with Mg sufficient

in 10mL nitric acid (HNO3) for 24 h then

plants in sunflower plants[32]. Low light

digested in digestion systems in a fume

intensity

hood, heated to 110 ˚C for 3 h. The

photosynthates from vegetative organs to

extracted solution was transferred to 100

the fruits. The reason for increase in leaf

mL volumetric flasks, and then diluted to

dry matter at 0 mM Mg may be due to

100mL with deionized water for Mg

impaired export of carbohydrates from

assays [35]. The Mg concentration in the

source to sink sites and accumulation of

leaf and fruit were measured at a

soluble sugars in source leaves. Stem dry

wavelength

matter was not affected by various Mg

Soluble

absorption

protein content

285.2

nm

by

spectrophotometry

Elmer, Model 110, and USA).

atomic (Perkin-

1).

leaf

dry

This

observation

reduces

concentrations,

matter

but

the

percent

is

export

optimum

in

of

light

intensity significantly increased stem dry


Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

matter than low light intensity (Table 1).

Soluble

In the present experiment, there was a

soluble protein

significant difference in leaf SPAD value

The results showed that under both light

between low Mg concentrations and

intensities, concentration of 0 mM Mg in

sufficient Mg concentrations (Table 1).

the solution had higher leaf soluble sugar

Significant

chlorophyll

and starch content compared to other

concentration in Mg deficiency leaves has

treatments. However, leaf soluble sugar

been widely reported[23, 55]. A reason

and starch content in optimum light

for higher chlorophyll content under

intensity was higher than in low light

adequate Mg supply could be an enhanced

intensity (Table 1). In almost all higher

production of chlorophyll and chlorophyll

plants, the principle end products of leaf

associated proteins. It is well documented

photosynthates are sucrose and starch.

that chlorotic and necrotic symptoms

However, partitioning of sucrose and

appearance in Mg deficiency leaves is

starch and their effect on dry matter

associated with chlorophyll destruction

distribution is influenced by several

due to photo-oxidation and accumulation

environmental

of soluble sugar and starch in source

temperature, drought and essential mineral

leaves [7].

In both light intensities,

nutrients [28, 56]. Mineral nutritional

internode diameter was increased with

status of plants has a considerable impact

increasing

the

on partitioning of carbohydrates and dry

solution. However, internode diameter

matter between shoots and roots [15,

was higher under optimum light intensity

34,38]. Under Mg deficiency, starch

compared to low light intensity (Table 1).

concentrations

Light quantity and quality are major

leaves[18] and low in sink organs such as

determinants

cereal grains and fruits [2]. This may

decrease

Mg

in

concentration

of

internode

in

growth.

and

insoluble

factors,

are

sugars

such

high

as

low

source

Reductions in both photosynthetically

demonstrate

active radiation (PAR), and red: far-red

transport from source leaves to sink

ratio (R: FR) result in similar shade

organs. Hence, in Mg-deficient plants

avoidance responses, such as increased

higher shoot/root

internode

thicker

compared with Mg-sufficient plants[4, 10,

internode. In plant communities, the R:

16]. The translocation of amino acids and

FR ratio seems to act as an early

sugars from sink to source might be

competition signal [20, 31].

inhibited under magnesium deficiency

elongation

and

impaired

in

and

photosynthate

ratios were found


Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

because of the effect of Mg on the H+-

appeared only in 0 mM Mg concentration

ATPase [9]. The results clearly showed

and under both light intensities. However

that by increasing Mg concentration in the

the symptoms severity became more

solution, increased soluble protein content

pronounced

in the cucumber leaves (Table 3).

intensity. These symptoms observed after

Andrews et al (1999) reported that Mg

35 days of treatment initiation and in

deficiency induced an increase in the

middle leaves as necrotic lesion. Whereas,

protein content of Pisun sativum and

no visual symptoms of Mg deficiency

Phaseolus vulgaris[1]. The reduction of

were found in leaves of any other

protein in Mg deficiency plants could be

treatments in the range of 1 to 4 mM Mg

attributed to

a decrease in protein

concentrations, under both light intensity.

synthesis due to the participation of Mg in

The incidence of Mg deficiency was

the aggregation of ribosome subunits and

attenuated by the initial amount Mg

its requirement for RNA polymerases

present within the plant. Because the

[12]. Protein biosynthesis also is strongly

cucumber seedlings had been grown in

reduced under Mg deficiency leading to

one

increased concentrations of the precursor

(containing 0.3 mM Mg) for four weeks

amino acids [19,40].

prior to treatment initiation, the initial

Leaf and fruit Mg concentration

accumulated Mg and its internal recycling

The results indicated that with increased

in the seedling attenuated the visible signs

Mg concentration in the nutrient solution

of Mg deficiency. The Mg concentration

led to a significant increase in Mg content

sufficient for optimal growth varied with

in leaves and fruits under both light

species. Kirkby and Mengel, (1979)

intensity.

reported that 0.35- 0.8% in the dry weight

But,

Mg concentration

in

third

of

full

nutrient

solution

light

However, the results obtained in this

higher

than

in

well

with

cucumber[29].

cucumber leaves under optimum light

study

intensity (Fig. 2). Greater concentration of

threshold line for the occurrence of Mg

Mg was observed with increasing Mg

deficiency determined by Kirkby and

levels in the nutrient solution. However,

Mengel, (1979)[29]. The Mg- deficiency

Mg concentration of leaf in shaded plant

visible symptoms observed partially only

was higher than in unshaded plants.

on the full developed middle leaves [6, 7,

Visual

19, 43]. In cucumber, deficiency visible

symptoms of Mg deficiency

agree

for

light

to

was

sufficient

optimum

cucumber leaves and fruits under low intensity

be

under

the

general


Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

symptoms observed initially as interveinal

that the firmest fruit under optimum light

chlorosis

interveinal

intensity in 1 and 2 mM Mg and in low

The occurrence of

light intensity at 1 mM Mg were obtained.

and

finally,

necrosis on leaves.

as

Mg- deficiency on the middle leaves

Underoptimum

could

the

conditions,the fruits were firmer than

photoassimilate production and supply to

under low light intensity conditions. This

other parts of plants. Both shading and

is consistent with findingby Marcelle,

Mg levels in the nutrient solution altered

(1995) who showed that an optimal Mg

Mg concentration in the leaves. This is

concentration ‘has to be relatively low’

consistent with findings by Zhao and

for good storage properties[38]. The

Oosterhuis (1998) and Sonneveld (1987)

reduced firmness in plant grown with low

who indicated that high light intensity will

Mg content

decrease the ability of plants to absorb and

concentration of fruit Ca. Fruit Firmness

translocate magnesium, since transpiration

is an extremely important quality attribute

is reduced and the translocation of

of cucumber and consumer prefer a firm

magnesium is driven by transpiration

and crisp product. The Mg: Ca ratio

rates[57, 54].In general, the breakdown of

mainly determines service and stability

chlorophyll under magnesium deficiency

aspects as components of the total food

is associated with the accumulation of

quality, such as product firmness, texture

sugars and starch in the cells of deficient

and storability that are mainly determined

leaves [24, 9]. This causes an over-

by the role of Ca in stabilizing cell

reduction of the photosynthetic electron

walls[21]. Since Mg is capable of

transport chain, which leads to the

replacing

formation of reactive oxygen species.

imbalance Mg: Ca ratios in the tissue

Fruit quality traits

often negatively affect product quality.

Despite the well-known roles of Mg in

The fruit TSS increased with increasing

plant

limited

Mg concentration up to 3mM Mg and

information there have been concerning

then decreased with increasing Mg (4

the significance of Mg for the quality of

mM). The fruit TSS under optimum light

agriculture and horticulture produce, as

intensity was higher than under low light

compared to other major nutrients.A fruit

intensity. The increase of fruit juice TSS

quality trait like fruit firmness was

with increasing Mg concentration in the

significantly affected by treatments. So

solution reported by Quaggio et al (1992)

significantly

metabolism,

affect

very

Ca

light

may

be

from

intensity

due

to

binding

high

sites,


Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

who indicated that juice pH, Soluble Solid

application

and titratable acidity of fruit orange

allocation to the fruit, whereas the

increased with increasing Mg[45]. Mg:K

allocation

ratio

influence primarily

pointing to the decisive role of Mg in

quality properties through the role of both

carbohydrate partitioning[22].The highest

mobile cations in metabolite formation

value in fruit Fv/Fm was obtained in 2 and

and translocation to fruits [46]. The

3 mM Mg treatments. Fruit Fv/Fm was

highest marketable, high quality yield was

higher under low light intensity than that

observed when K and Mg were supplied

under optimum light intensity (Table 2).

in the highest amounts at a ratio of 5:1.

Chlorophyll fluorescence is an indirect

This clearly points to the facts that only

measurement of the physiological status

balanced crop nutrition can result in

of green tissues [48, 41], being used in

optimal quality [3].Fruit juice pH and EC

both green leaves and several chlorophyll-

were not affected by the treatments (Table

containing fruits [52, 53, 13]. Concerning

3).Fruit

with

the evaluation of changes in fruit tissues,

the

chlorophyll fluorescence measurement has

solution. Low light intensity decreased

the advantage of detecting cellular injury

fruit dry matter (Table 2). Dry matter

due

content

environmental stresses in advance to the

appears to

dry

increasing

matter

Mg

is

concentration

an

criterion.Marcelis

increased

important

quality

the

natural

leaves

biomass

decreased,

senescence

or

development of visible symptoms [14, 52,

positive relationship between the dry

47].Fruit chlorophyll was significantly

matter distribution of the fruit and

higher under optimum light intensity than

irradiance[37].Increases of dry matter

under low light intensity (Table 2). Fruit

percent can be due to the importance of

color is one of the few practical criteria

Mg for photosynthesis and assimilate

for assessing cucumber quality after

translocation. This finding was underlined

harvest at present. A dark green cucumber

by Feltran et al (2004) and Poberezny and

is expected to have a longer shelf-life than

Wszelaczynska (2001) who showed that

a light green cucumber [33]. This result is

increasing

consistently

agree with observation of Klieber et al

potato[17,

(1993) who showed that high light

and

intensity is necessary for high chlorophyll

Papadopoulos(2004)indicated that at a

content in cucumber[30]. They also

given Ca supply increasing the Mg

confirmed that high chlorophyll content

increased 44].Also,

dry

showed

to

to

the

a

Mg

(1993)

in

enhanced

supply matter Hao

in


Rasoul Azarmi et al

Research Article

was positively correlated with a high

[4] Bouma D, Dowling EJ, Wahjoedi

percentage of PPFD reaching the fruit

H.

surface.

potassium and magnesium on the

CONCLOSION

growth of subterranean clover

It can be concluded that Mg requirement

(Trifolium subterraneum). Annals

of cucumber plants likely increases with

Botany 43529–538.

light

intensity.

The

moderate

1979.

Some

sensitive

solution

quantitation

the

most desired

for

of

[5] Bradford MM. 1976. A rapid and

concentration of Mg (2 mM) in the was

effects

method

for

of

the

microgram

cucumber fruit quality. While, higher

quantities of protein utilizing the

concentration of Mg (3 mM) in the

principle of protein dye- binding.

solution was the most favorite for

Analytical Biochemistry72, 248–

cucumber growth in hydroponics system.

254. [6] Broschat

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[55] Teklic T, Vrataric M, Sudaric A, Kovacevic V, Vukadinovic V, Table 1: The effect of Mg and light intensity on cucumber vegetative growth Light intensity

Mg (mM) 0 1 2 3 4

Leaf Dwt (%) 14.16 13.55 14.44 16.63 15.36

Stem Dwt (%) 7.60 7.85 7.80 8.02 7.75

Internode diagonal (cm) 3.85 4.46 4.54 4.79 4.11

Leaf SPAD index 55.30ef 58.70c 59.50bc 61.30ab 62.63a

Soluble sugar (mg g-1 DW) 35.82 31.41 25.42 23.73 24.39

0 1 2 3 4

11.23 11.20 11.74 13.17 12.13

6.29 6.66 7.00 6.94 6.60

3.83 4.05 4.22 4.00 3.83

53.76f 54.33ef 55.06ef 56.23de 57.43cd

28.18 24.73 20.35 19.48 18.74

Optimum Light Low Light

14.83 11.89

7.80 6.70

4.35 3.98

59.48 55.36

28.15 22.29

Light intensity Mg Light intensity×Mg

0.001 0.01 ns

0.001 ns ns

0.001 0.01 ns

0.001 0.001 0.05

0.001 0.001 ns

Optimum Light

Low Light

(ns) non significance; (0.05) significance at 0.05 probability level; (0.01) significance at 0.01 probability level; (0.001) significance at 0.001 probability level. Within each column, same letters indicate no significant difference between treatments (P < 0.01


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Table 2: The effect of Mg and light intensity on cucumber fruit quality traits Light intensity

Mg (mM) 0 1 2 3 4

Firmness (Kg) 3.66bc 3.73ab 4.20a 3.30bc 3.26bc

Fruit dry matter (%) 3.92 4.83 4.35 4.90 4.71

Fruit Fv/Fm value 0.737 0.744 0.753 0.760 0.741

Fruit color (SPAD UNIT) 53.83 56.40 57.20 56.96 55.94

0 1 2 3 4

3.10bc 3.66a 3.63bc 3.23bc 3.33bc

4.21 4.31 4.48 4.46 4.67

0.749 0.751 0.763 0.764 0.751

51.10 53.96 53.23 53.03 50.76


3.63 3.39

4.85 4.42

0.747 0.756

56.07 52.42

Light intensity Mg Light intensity×Mg

0.01 0.001 0.05

ns 0.001 ns

0.01 0.01 ns

0.01 ns ns

Optimum Light

Low Light

(ns) non significance; (0.05) significance at 0.05 probability level; (0.01) significance at 0.01 probability level; (0.001) significance at 0.001 probability level. Within each column, same letters indicate no significant difference between treatments (P < 0.01)

Table 3: The effect of Mg and light intensity on cucumber fruit quality traits Light intensity

Mg (mM)

Fruit juice pH

Optimum Light

0 1 2 3 4

Low Light

0 1 2 3 4


Acidity (%)

Soluble protein (mg g-1 FW)

Fruit Mg (mgg-1 DW)

5.93 5.86 5.93 5.74 5.83

Fruit juice EC (dS m-1) 0.50 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56

1.993 2.213 2.327 2.417 2.650

1.00 1.22 1.40 1.57 1.61

0.720 1.253 2.133 2.727 3.047

5.72 5.64 5.69 5.55 5.63

0.46 0.56 0.56 0.55 0.56

1.703 1.960 2.027 2.193 2.387

0.83 0.91 1.24 1.45 1.43

0.880 1.480 2.687 2.753 3.213

5.86 5.65

0.55 0.54

2.320 2.054

1.36 1.17

1.97 2.16

Light intensity 0.05 ns ns 0.01 0.01 Mg ns ns ns 0.001 0.001 Light intensity×Mg ns ns ns ns ns (ns) non significance; (0.05) significance at 0.05 probability level; (0.01) significance at 0.01 probability level; (0.001) significance at 0.001 probability level. Within each column, same letters indicate no significant difference between treatments (P < 0.01)


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Unshaded

1200

Shaded

Light intensity (µmol m-1s-1)

1000 800 600 400 200 0 May

Jun

July

Agaust

September

October

November

Months Fig. 1: Light intensity at the optimum (100%) and low (50%) light intensity during the entire of period of experimentation

0M

1M

2M

3M

4M

Leaf Mg concentration (mg g-1 DW)

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Optimum light

Low light

Fig. 2: The effect of Mg and light intensity on the leaf Mg concentration in cucumber plants (error bars on the columns represent standard error)


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0M

1M

2M

3M

4M

6

Fruit TSS (%)

5 4 3 2 1 0 Optimum light

Low light

Fig. 3: The effect of Mg and light intensity on fruit TSS in cucumber plants (error bars on the columns represent standard error)

Starch content (mg g-1 DW)

0M

1M

2M

3M

4M

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Optimum light

Low light

Fig. 4: The effect of Mg and light intensity on starch content in cucumber plants (error bars on the columns represent standard error) A

B

Fig. 5: Visual symptoms of Mg sufficient leaves (A) and Mg deficiency leave (B)
