Selection of a vegetable water-retaining material and its effects on the growth and quality of cucumber under drought stress part 2: Effects of common water hyacinth on the growth and quality of cucumber

Common water hyacinth was selected as a vegetable water-retaining material suitable to crop cultivation in the area prone to seasonal drought in Part I of this study. A pot experiment was carried out to examine the effects of common water hyacinth on the growth and quality of cucumber under drought stress. Common water hyacinth was added at three levels equivalent to 1/2, 1 and 2 times of the water-retention capacity of SAP (super absorbent polymers), a presently used chemical water-retaining material. Addition of common water hyacinth improved the growth and quality of cucumber. At the same time, it increased the soil water content by 9.2 to 11.9%, depending on the growth stages, from the level of the control, which was equivalent to the increase by addition of SAP. Results of the pot experiment suggested that common water hyacinth could be a good alternative to SAP.