Reducing nitrogen fertilizer by 50% does not significantly affect cucumber yield or quality in greenhouses in East China. Fruit nitrate levels were within safe limits with fertilizer use, but increased by 18.1%-44.5% compared to no fertilizer. Vitamin C, sugar, and protein content decreased with chemical fertilizer use. Soil properties changed temporarily with fertilizer application, but did not correlate with cucumber yield or economic benefit. Therefore, cutting nitrogen fertilizer in half can maintain cucumber yield and quality in this region.