Abstract: The effects of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer on leaf physiological activities and yield and quality of greenhouse cucumber in desertification area of Hexi corridor were studied.The results showed that the application of 337.5 kg·hm^-2 controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer had the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) of 0.72, 0.84 and 0.75, and highest leaf PS Ⅱ potential activity (Fv/Fo) of 2.67, 4.21 and 3.36 in the early, middle and late growth stages of cucumbers, respectively.This treatment also showed the best performance in plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, fruit number per plant, yield per plant and yield, and their corresponding values were 191 cm, 0.81 cm, 31.2 pieces, 10.6 pieces, 2.43 kg and 88.0 t·hm^-2, respectively; the contents of V_C, soluble sugar, free amino acid and soluble protein in the fruits were with the highest values of 162 mg·g^-1 FW, 16.4 mg·g^-1, 378 mg·g^-1 FW and 4.03 mg·g^-1 FW, respectively; nitrate content was 94.3 μg·g^-1 FW, which were significantly higher than that of other treatments.