Effects of downy mildew fungi spore infection on cucumber plants under nitrogen stress

Authors

  • Yafei Wang 1. School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
  • Qiang Shi 2. School of Science and Technology, Shanghai Open University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • Xiaoxue Du 3. School of Optoelectronic Engineering, Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou 213032, Jiangsu, China
  • Hanping Mao 1. School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China
  • Mohamed Farag Taha 1. School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China; 4. Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Arish 45516, Egypt

Abstract

Investigating the interplay between biotic stress from downy mildew and abiotic stress from nitrogen deficiency is crucial for improving crop management measures and enhancing cucumber production. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using two pathogen treatments—non-infected (B1) and infected with Pseudoperonospora cubensis (B0)—across three nitrogen levels: deficiency (N1: 50%), optimal (N2: 100%), and excess (N3: 150%). The resulting six treatment combinations (B1N1, B1N2/Control, B1N3, B0N1, B0N2, and B0N3) revealed that downy mildew infection and nitrogen application rates significantly influenced key physiological and biochemical parameters (p<0.05). These included sucrose, soluble sugar, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the fresh and dry weights of the leaves, stems, and roots. Among all groups, the combination of infection and nitrogen deficiency (B0N1) had the most significant impact on biomass accumulation and hormone metabolism. Compared to the B1N2 control, B0N1 led to substantial reductions in sucrose (52.83%), soluble sugar (68.67%), leaf fresh weight (56.67%), leaf dry weight (55.51%), stem fresh weight (52.82%), stem dry weight (57.28%), root fresh weight (32.46%), and root dry weight (54.07%). This study clarifies the interactive physiological responses of cucumbers to combined biotic and abiotic stress. It is of great significance for facilitating the control of downy mildew and the improvement of cucumber yield in sustainable agriculture.      

Keywords: Cucumis sativusL, biotic stress; abiotic stress, physiological metabolism, substance accumulation

DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20261902.10264

 

Citation: Wang Y F, Shi Q, Du X X, Mao H P, Taha M F. Effects of downy mildew fungi spore infection on cucumber plants under nitrogen stress. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2026; 19(2): 58–64.

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Published

2026-05-21

How to Cite

(1)
Wang, Y.; Shi, Q.; Du, X.; Mao, H.; Taha, M. F. Effects of Downy Mildew Fungi Spore Infection on Cucumber Plants under Nitrogen Stress. Int J Agric &amp; Biol Eng 2026, 19, 58-64.

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2026): IJABE

Section

Animal, Plant and Facility Systems

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