Response of cucumbers grown in plastic greenhouses to plant density and row arrangement

Abstract

SummaryAn experiment in a plastic greenhouse was conducted over two growing seasons to study the response of ‘Marboson’ parthenocarpic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) to target plant densitites of 2.4, 3.6, 4.8, and 5.4 plants m−2 with various row arrangements. Response to plant density was not significantly affected by different row arrangements for all aspects of cucumber yield. Yields per unit area increased linearly with increase in plant density and the increase was greater in a 2-row arrangement than in 1-, 3-, or 4-row arrangements. Yield per plant decreased linearly with increasing plant density, and the decreases were lower in the 2-row arrangement than in the others. Timing of production of fruits, sex-expression and flower abortion were not affected by plant density and row arrangement. Shoot dry weight per plant was decreased linearly or quadratically with increasing plant density. The high correlation between fruit number and fruit yield suggests the use of fruit number for evaluating cucumber plots. In plastic-house production, the use of 5.4 plants m−2 and 2-row arrangement with triangular configuration may increase substantially the yields of cucumbers.