Integrating Rowcovers and Soil Amendments for Organic Cucumber Production: Implications on Crop Growth, Yield, and Microclimate

Abstract

<jats:p>The area of organic production has registered a steady increase over past recent years. Transitioning to organic production is not straightforward and often includes a steep learning curve. Organic growers have to develop strategies to best manage nutrients, pests, and crop growth and yield. Additionally, in regions with temperate climate like the Great Lakes region, weather (especially temperature and solar radiation) plays an important role in crop productivity. Growers routinely use compost for nutrient provisioning and rowcovers for insect exclusion and growth enhancement. The objective of this work was to study the combined effect of rowcovers (with different light transmission) and compost organic cucumber (<jats:italic>Cucumis sativus</jats:italic> L.) growth and microclimate. Plots were assigned to three rowcover treatments (60% light transmission, 85% light transmission, and uncovered) and two amendment treatments (compost and no compost) in a split-plot factorial design. Data were collected for ambient air and soil temperature, photosynthetically active radiation (<jats:italic>PAR</jats:italic>), relative humidity, plant growth characteristics, and yield. Rowcovers modified crop microclimate by increasing air and soil temperature and decreasing <jats:italic>PAR</jats:italic>. There was a marked increase in the growing degree-day accumulations under rowcovers when compared with uncovered treatment. The impact of rowcovers on plant growth was significant. Use of rowcovers increased vine length, flower count, leaf area, leaf count, plant biomass, and total marketable yield. Use of compost in conjunction with rowcovers enhanced the rowcover effect. With the use of compost, there were not many significant differences in plant growth characteristics between rowcover materials; however, as expected, rowcover with 60% transmission was able to trap more heat and reduce light transmission when compared with rowcover with 85% transmission. This study clearly shows the importance of organic amendments, especially compost, in organic vegetable production. Applications of compost enhanced crop growth and also led to higher marketable yields. Results of this study suggest additive effects of rowcover and compost application on organic cucumber production.</jats:p>

Implications of Water Stress and Organic Fertilization on Growth, Yield and Water Productivity of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Var. Botrytis, L.)

“…The current results are similar to those reported by Nair and Ngouajio (2010) The increase in those parameters may have resulted from the increases in organic matter content in soil upon application of the organic amendments (Luan et al, 2019) and this would in turn, improve soil fertility (Dai et al, 2019;Mondal et al, 2019). The highest increases in curd height, diameter and fresh weight were recorded for plants amended with 14.4 m 3 ha -1 and irrigated with 85% of FI.…”

Low Tunnels Reduce Irrigation Water Needs and Increase Growth, Yield, and Water-use Efficiency in Brussels Sprouts Production

“…Similar studies with muskmelon, tomato, and cucumber where sensors were 15 cm deep showed no differences in soil temperature between LT and open field (Tillman et al, 2015;Wolfe et al, 1989). By contrast, in studies that reported differences in soil temperatures, sensors were 5 cm deep (Arancibia and Motsenbocker, 2008;Nair and Ngouajio, 2010) and 10 cm deep (Ibarra et al, 2001;Ibarra-Jim enez et al, 2004;Soltani et al, 1995).…”

“…They are semitransparent porous fabrics that allow airflow and ventilation, hence helping avoid condensation that may damage the foliage in contact with water (Arancibia, 2018). Low tunnels covered with spunbonded fabric increase vegetative growth and yield by increasing soil and air temperature (Arancibia, 2018;Arancibia and Motsenbocker, 2008;Gerber et al, 1988;Ibarra et al, 2001;Jolliffe and Gaye, 1995;Nair and Ngouajio, 2010). In addition, LTs are movable, allowing for crop rotation with cover crops in sustainable production systems.…”

Effect of Pest Exclusion Net (PEN) on the Sustainable Production of Late Season Broad Leaf Mustard (BLM) in Chitwan, Nepal

“…Gogo et al [23] also reported reduced pest attack, and higher yield and quality tomato from plants grown under net covers compared with open field. Similarly, Nair and Ngouajio (2010) [24] reported higher marketable yields of cucumber under nets compared with control.…”