Colored polyethylene soil covers and grafting effects on cucumber flowering and yield

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most cultivated vegetable crops in plastic greenhouses in Brazil because of the short cycle and its high economic value in off-season harvests. To better understand this management technique the effect of different colored polyethylene soil covers was evaluated in relation to flowering and yield of the hybrid cucumber 'Yoshinari' grafted or not on the hybrid squash 'Ikky'. The polyethylene cover colors were black, white on black and green plus a control without cover. Covered but not grafted crops had a more uniform flowering distribution. The number of flowers was greater for the white/black grafted treatment. All the polyethylene covers favored flowering for the non grafted plants. Grafting reduced flowering for the black or green polyethylene covers treatments. The fruit set increased with the use of polyethylene cover but was not influenced by grafting. The uniform distribution of flowering remained during fruiting only for grafted plants and soil covered with black or green polyethylene. Both polyethylene cover and grafting favored early harvesting. The 'Yoshinari'/'Ikky' graft caused taller plants but fruit were thicker and smaller and did not meet the commercial standard. The best quality fruit and highest yields were obtained in the black and white/black treatments, without grafting.

Economic Profitability of Sweet Pepper Production under Different Irrigation Levels and Polyethylene Mulch in a Plastic Greenhouse

“…These resulted in enhancement of soil environment around roots of sweet pepper plants that led to enhancing plant growth, and hence improve nutrient absorption and uptake (Abdrabbo et al, 2009). These results were in line with those obtained by Pan et al (1999); Fonsecal et al (2003). Optimal root zone temperature with availability of water allow for adequate root function including better uptake of water and nutrients.…”

Effect of Different Colour Mulches on Water Use Efficiency in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under Protected Cultivation

“…The use of different colours of polyethylene as soil cover for cucumber has been used mainly in many regions. The crop varies in response to polyethylene mulch covers depending on cultivar, materials used and environmental conditions [1,2,3]. Alenazi et.al., [4] reported that mulching and irrigation water management is among the dynamic practices that are being applied in commercial vegetable production.…”

A Study on Use of Black Polythene Mulch as a Climate Smart Technology on Performance of Winter Cucumber and Resource Conservation In Terai Agro-climatic Zone of West Bengal

“…The region experiences extreme cold during January and February, when maximum and minimum temperature falls below 22°C and 8°C respectively, average being around 13°C. Cucumber is susceptible to low temperatures throughout its growth cycle [4,5]. Cucumber cultivators of the district Cooch Behar also have similar experiences i.e.…”