The effects of various drip fertigated water quantities on flavonoid and anthocyanin content on hydroponically cultivated Cucumis sativa L.

The effects of various quantities of water were assessed on their potential to influence the content of flavonoid and anthocyanin contents in different tissues of cucumber plants grown hydroponically in the greenhouse. The treatments included supplying eight different water quantities 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 L/h. The plants received water five times a day, making it 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 L/day. The data from our study showed that avonoid content was not significantly affected by different water quantities supplied to cucumber plants. However, the anthocyanin content in roots, leaves, and stem were significantly influenced by water levels. Lowest water quantity 2 to 6 L/h signicantly increased the levels of anthocyanins in all tissues tested. Increasing water quantities to higher quantities significantly decreased the anthocynanin content in all tissues.   Key words: Phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites, Cucumis sativa L.