Objectives  A series of problems have been caused by the overuse of chemical fertilizers in the vegetable-producing soils, which leads to restrict the sustainable development of facility vegetables. Organic materials (organic fertilizers, straws, etc.) replacing some parts of chemical fertilizers are imperative, but the influence of organic materials to replace some chemical fertilizers on the constituent factors of vegetable output has not yet been clear.

  Methods  Based on the long-term experiment of organic materials replacing part of chemical fertilizer in greenhouse, six treatments were selected: no fertilizer treatment (CK), 100% chemical fertilizer treatment (CF100), 75% chemical fertilizer treatment (CF75), 25% corn straw nitrogen (N) instead of chemical fertilizer N (S25), 50% corn straw N instead of chemical fertilizer N (S50) and 100% corn straw N instead of chemical fertilizer N (S100).

  Results  The results showed that CF100 and CF75 treatments did not show significant differences in root growth parameters, leaf photosynthetic characteristics, cucumber yield and quality, but the final economic benefits of CF75 treatment increased by 1.4%. The effect of S50 was better than that of S25. Compared with CF100 treatment, S25 and S50 treatments significantly increased the fresh weight and root vigor of cucumber plant roots, and S50 treatment was better than that of S25 treatment. S25 treatment significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and leaf area of the plants in the full fruit stage. S25 also reduced the intercellular CO₂ concentration. Both S25 and S50 treatments improved cucumber quality, and S25 treatment was better than S50 treatment. Compared with the CF100 treatment, the S25 and S50 treatments increased production by 11.9% and 15.2%, and also enhanced the income by 12.8% and 16.4%, respectively.

  Conclusion  The 25% reduction in fertilizer application will not adversely affect the yield and constituent factors of cucumber. Substituting 50% straw N for chemical fertilizer N can promote plant growth and development, improve cucumber leaf photosynthesis and cucumber yield and quality, reduce costs and increase income.