Cotyledon angle as a predictor of growth rate of cucumber plant

Abstract

Experiments conducted in the greenhouse and in the field indicated that plants produced from seedlings of Cucumis sativus L. which displayed their cotyledons in an upward position grew faster than plants which displayed their cotyledons in a downward position. Cotyledon angle was not a function of seed size nor seedling weight at 10 days after planting. An increase in plant height, node number, and fresh weight at later growth stages was associated with an upward cotyledon angle and persisted until time of harvest. Anthesis tended to occur later in plants having a downward cotyledon angle. The number of pistillate flowers was greater in plants with an upward cotyledon angle compared to those with a downward cotyledon angle. Differences in yield (fruit number) were not associated with cotyledon angle.