Introduction
English Cucumber cultivation
under naturally ventilated greenhouse conditions was found economically viable
and the profits can further be improved through year-round cultivation in
soilless media under a greenhouse aided with optimal microclimatic conditions. Cucumbers
have very fast growth rate. Cucumbers are extremely sensitive to
environmental parameters like light, air temperature & humidity and
nutritional needs. For a cucumber crop to succeed, growers must strictly follow
the crop's environmental and nutritional needs.
Climate
For good production, a temperature range of 25°C to
30°C during the day time and 18 °C to 22°C during night time is desirable. Peak
day time temperatures of 30°C to 35°C are tolerable. In favourable
environmental condition, the cucumber plants grow rapidly and produce lot of
cucumber fruits. But prolonged periods of high temperatures may adversely
affect the fruit quality. Night temperatures not lower than 18°C will allow a
rapid growth rate and earliest fruit production. The relative humidity and
light intensity inside the greenhouse should be between 60 to 70% and 50,000 to
60,000 lux respectively. If temperature drops below 18°C, bud initiation may
stop. If temperature exceeds 35°C, frequency of flowers will be very low and
abortion of buds will take place.
Pruning & Training:
After transplanting, the
plant will start to grow vigorously. Hence training and pruning should be done
without fail. Cucumbers are to be trained to grow vertically upwards along a UV
stabilized plastic net (plants trained along plasticnet will help to reduce
cost of labour). The plants are trained upwards so that main stem is allowed to
climb upto the overhead GI wire. Wires are to be fixed at both ends (at a
height not more than 3.25m height to reduce the cost of harvesting) and they
run all along the length of the rows. One week after transplanting, i.e., when
vertical growth is beginning, plants are to be attached to the plastic net
using plastic string or clip. Special plastic clips are to be used to attach
the stem to the plastic net just below the point where a leaf joins the main
stem. This will make assure that the plant does not slide down the string as
the fruit load develops.
In the case of English
cucumber, there will be flowers on all the nodes. Pruning of plants is to be
done based on plant vigour and fruit load. A regular pruning results in
healthy, sturdy plants that yield continuously. Then fruit sizewill be large and
uniform. Too many branches can dilute the vigour and the number of fruits
may go higher than the plant can handle. Harvesting of the fruit has to be done
in correct time. If number of fruits go higher than the plant can handle, it
automatically aborts the next set of flowers till the current ones are
harvested. Hence in other countries, for getting optimum yield, auxiliary
branches are pruning after one or two fruit setting, so as to retain two
vigorous branches per plant. But in India, farmers are removing only unhealthy
and damaged branches as it was found more beneficial. net will help to
reduce cost of labour). The plants are trained upwards so that main stem is
allowed to climb upto the overhead GI wire. Wires are to be fixed at both ends
(at a height not more than 3.25m height to reduce the cost of harvesting) and
they run all along the length of the rows. One week after transplanting, i.e.,
when vertical growth is beginning, plants are to be attached to the plastic net
using plastic string or clip. Special plastic clips are to be used to attach
the stem to the plastic net just below the point where a leaf joins the main
stem. This will make assure that the plant does not slide down the string as
the fruit load develops.
In the case of English
cucumber, there will be flowers on all the nodes. Pruning of plants is to be
done based on plant vigour and fruit load. A regular pruning results in
healthy, sturdy plants that yield continuously. Then fruit size will be large
and uniform. Too many branches can dilute the vigour and the number of
fruits may go higher than the plant can handle. Harvesting of the fruit has to
be done in correct time. If number of fruits go higher than the plant can
handle, it automatically aborts the next set of flowers till the current ones
are harvested. Hence in other countries, for getting optimum yield, auxiliary
branches are pruning after one or two fruit setting, so as to retain two
vigorous branches per plant. But in India, farmers are removing only unhealthy
and damaged branches as it was found more beneficial
Management of greenhouse
environment
■ Care must be taken
to avoid all sources of infection by removing old and pest & disease
infected leaves from the green house. This will also increase aeration inside
the greenhouse.
■ Dew formation
should be avoided by providing proper ventilation and removing unhealthy leaves
and branches. Provide adequate plant spacing and ensure proper pruning and
thinning to ensure proper air circulation. Avoid dampness on the leaves
especially during night. Keep plant foliage dry. Care must be taken not to
exceed RH above 65 to 70 % during day time.
■ Avoid over
watering which may leads moisture at leaf margins and causes downy mildew.
■ If there is fungal
infection, it is necessary to follow rotation of fungicide.
Systemic fungicide
should be used in combination with protectant fungicide to reduce the chances
of development of resistance.
Protectants
Maneb, Mancozeb,
Chlorothalonil
Systemics
Metlaxyl, Qxadixyl, Cymoxanil
Harvesting
Harvesting of the fruits have to be done with
disinfected knife after it has reached a uniform diameter throughout its
length, but before any yellowing.
Follow me
Comments
Post a Comment