Utilization of Fermented Wolfberry Branch Powder as Substrate for Cultivating Cucumbers

Feasibility of using fermented wolfberry branch powder (FWBP) as the main substrate for cultivating cucumbers was studied.Effects of varied formulations consisting of vermiculite, peat and FWBP were evaluated against the physiological indices and yield of the cucumbers grown on them.The results showed that the substrates with a ratio of FWBP:peat:vermiculite=5:2:3 or 6:2:2 had a similar dry bulk, total porosity, aeration porosity, water-holding porosity and gas/water ratio as CK (i.e., peat:perlite=1:2).Moreover, the two formulations significantly improved the chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, potential activity of functional leaf PSⅡ, and light energy conversion efficiency of the leaves on the cucumber plants.