الفهرس 
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Abstract
This experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia university, El Minia, Egypt, during the two growth seasons of 2021 and 2022 on three hybrids of cucumber plants i.e “Hakim”, “Ghazeer” , and “Hayel” to evaluate their growth , productivity and quality under mulching technique in comparison with bare soil using different rates of compost i. e Zero as control treatment, 4.67, 7, and 9 Ton/Fed .
The experimental units consist of 24 treatments (three hybrids, with mulch and without , and four level of compost) . The factors of the experiment were laid out in randomized complete block design ( RCBD ) with three replicates . whereas, the three hybrids were distributed in the main plot , while mulching and composting treatments were disterbiuted in sub and sub-sub plots respectively.
The main finding of this investigation as follow:
The obtained results revealed that: the three hybrids differed in their growth and productivity , and differences among them were significant in both season in most measurements .where “Hayel” hybrid , was the superior one in plant height ,plant fresh weight, and , plant dry weight in addition to it had the highest concentration of chlorophyll B in the second season. Also, this hybrid gave maximum fruit length in both seasons and the highest total number of fruits in the first season .
On the other hand “Hakim” hybrid showed the best results in leaf area in both season . Also, the highest percentage of nitrogen only in the first season .
Further more , it gave the highest fruit diameter in the second season, the highest early fruit number in both seasons . Also , the heaviest total yield in the first season and the highest total numbers of fruit/plant in the second season .
“Ghazeer” hybrid was superior on the content of TSS in both season , the highest concentration of chlorophyll A in the first season and chlorophyll B in the second season. As well as , the highest percentage of potassium , phosphorus in both season , and nitrogen in the second season . In addition , the highest fruit diameter in first season , the heaviest early yield as gm/plant in both seasons and total weight in the second season .
Mulching technique
Growing cucumber hybrids under mulching technique improve it’s growth characters such as : Plant length , leaf area, fresh weight and the number of female flowers in both seasons . Also, this technique affect the plant content’s of total soluble solids (TSS), percentage of phosphorus, concentration of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. Furthermore, yield parameters such as: fruit diameter , early yield in both season , as well as total yield were positively negatively affected by this technique .
Rates of compost
Also, results of this experiment showed that addition the compost to the experimental soil significantly improved all growth parameters which measured and increased the early and total yield in comparison with the control.
The effect of the four doses (0.0, 4.67, 7, 9.33 Ton/Fed) were as fellow:
Second rate ( 4.67 ton/fed ) : gave the best growth parameters , which gave the highest plant fresh and dry weight, the highest leaf area values in both seasons , and the maximum numbers of female flowers in the third and second counting in the first season. Also, enhanced the chemical charactristics and gave the highest percentage of TSS. Furthermore, it gave the highest fruit diameter in the second season and the highest early yield numbers of fruits/plant in the second season.
Regarding the third rate ( 7 ton/fed ): it gave the tallest plant in the first season and the highest numbers of female flowers of first time in the first season. Also, the content of TSS was equal with the second rate in the first season . Moreover, it was the best among the tested treatments in yield traits , which gave the highest fruit length in the second season and fruit diameter in the first season. Furthermore , the highest total numbers of fruit/plant in the first season , the heaviest early and total yield of cucumber in both seasons.
On the other hand, fourth rate ( 9.33 ton/fed ) : Gave the tallest plant in the second season and the highest number of female flowers in the second and third counting time in the second season .
In addition to, the highest content of chlorophyll a in the first season of the highest percentage of phosphorus content in both seasons. Also, the maximum percentage of potassium in first season and nitrogen content in the second season .
The interaction’s effect .
All the interactions effect between experiment treatments were significant in both seasons for either growth parameters or productivity of cucumber hybrids as early or total yield .
1-“Hakim” hybrid with mulch and the second rate of compost (4.67 ton/fed) gave the highest magnitude of leaf area, maximum percentage of phosphorus, highest fruit diameter, and highest total numbers of fruits .
2- “Ghazeer” hybrid with mulch and addition of the second (4.67 ton /fed) rate gave the tallest cucumber plant and the highest concentration of chlorophyll a.
3-“Hakim” hybrid with mulch and first rate of compost gave the highest percentage of nitrogen and highest content of chlorophyll A
4- “Ghazeer” hybrid with mulch and compost with the third rate ( 7 ton/fed ) gave The heaviest early weight and the highest TSS %.
5-“Hakim” hybrid with mulch and compost with the third rate ( 7 ton/fed ) gave the highest early fruit numbers of cucumber.
6-“Ghazeer” hybrid without mulch and compost with the third rate ( 7 ton/fed ) gave The highest content of chlorophyll b.
7-“Hayel” hybrid with out mulch and compost with the fourth rate ( 9.33 ton/fed ) gave the highest fruit diameter .
8- “Hayel” hybrid growing without mulching conditions and added compost with second rate ( 4.67 ton/fed ) gave the heaviest plant dry weight.
9-“Hayel” hybrid with mulch and the second rate of compost ( 4.67 ton/fed ) gave the heaviest plant fresh weight and the tallest fruits.
10- “Hayel” hybrid with mulch and the third rate ( 7 ton/fed ) of compost gave the highest percentage of potassium.
11-“Hayel” hybrid with mulch and the forth rate of compost ( 9.33 ton/fed )gave the highest percentage of phosphorus and nitrogen.
12- “Hakim” hybrid without mulch and the third rate of compost ( 7 ton/fed ) gave the heaviest total weight of cucumber.