Abstract: The response of cucumber to different fertilization methods in whole growth period was studied. The results indicated that the yield of cucumber was the highest with application of higher level of organic fertilizer and some organic-inorganic compound fertilizer, meanwhile, the soil structure was improved, the soil organic matter content and available nutrients of N, P, K content increased, and soil salinity and EC values decreased. Treatment of organic-inorganic compound fertilizer alone showed higher yield in the early stage of harvest, but lower in the latter stage, with lower soil organic matter content and higher soil salinity. The net photosynthetic rate in the different periods of cucumber with different treatments showed similar trends to the yield. In conclusion, the net photosynthetic rate could be used as a probe to inspect the effect of plant fertilization. With the gradual aging of cucumber, stomatal limitation could be the main reason for the photosynthesis reduction．

Key words: cucumber, fertilization, photosynthesis, yield