Protected Cultivation Research Articles

Image Sensing, A Unique Tool for Early Detection of Nitrogen Deficiency of Tomato Grown in Hot and Humid Greenhouses

Protected culture (PC) answers the major issues in conventional agriculture, and thus helps feed the rising world population. Meanwhile, soilless culture has become an integral part of the PC, for sake of catering to the plant nutrient requirements precisely. Therefore, innovative intellective diagnostic systems for diagnosing nutrient deficiency symptoms in protected culture is a timely need. Hence this experiment was conducted to test the effectiveness of “Image Sensing” as a diagnostic tool for nitrogen deficiency under semi-intensive greenhouse management in hot and humid weather. In this study N deficiency symptoms of tomato were detected by leaf color changes, identified through image sensing, and the deficiency was confirmed with respect to retardation of plant growth. Tomato plants were subjected to a series of N treatments by providing 200, 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 percent of the recommended N supply for soilless culture tomatoes. The results showed that morphology changes like stem thickness, leaf area, plant height, and leaf number were significantly reduced along with a reduction of N supply (p<0.05) beginning from 5th week after transplanting (WAT). Leaf images were processed in “ImageJ”, software” to determine the green color intensity of leaves. Image analysis showed that there was a significant difference among treatments since the 3rd WAT. The leaf color chart was less effective for distinguishing leaf color at the early stages of N deficiency. The results revealed that diagnosis of N deficiency in tomato leaves could be effectively done by image sensing much earlier than the use of plant growth parameters or morphological changes. Hence, image sensing can be used as a more effective diagnostic tool for early detection of N deficiency of tomato cultivations in hot and humid greenhouses, that can be used to improve crop management, especially in large large-scale commercial practices.

The Application of Protective Cultures in Cheese: A Review

A number of non-thermal preservation strategies have been adopted from the dairy industry to improve cheese quality and safety. The application of lactic acid bacteria cultures that produce bacteriocins has been extensively studied as a means of bio-preservation. However, the application of purified bacteriocins as a bio-protective agent is limited in cheese. The application of protective cultures is another strategy, and the aim of the current review is to provide an overview of the application of commercial and autochthonous adjunct cultures on the bio-protection of cheese; both public health and spoilage aspects are considered.

Influence of Protected Cultivation Structures on Vegetable Crops

Protected farming is a new technology that is being utilized to grow high-value crops like flowers, vegetables, and other perishable commodities. In contemporary agriculture, protected structures offered an enormous chance for greater productivity and production. Protected cultivation, which is the most effective way to deal with climatic variation provide favourable environment for crop growth thereby achieving greater yield and high-quality produce. Protected cultivation structures such as polyhouses, low tunnels, shadow shade net houses, and green houses are frequently used for crop cultivation. Further, the vegetables grown under these structures possess better quality, decreased pesticide residue and higher yields than the ones grown under open-field conditions. As compared to open field cultivation, the reduction in irrigation water requirement was 35.6 % for shadow hall, 35.2 % for polyhouse and 25.5 % shade net house cultivation. Shadow hall is most suited for the cultivation of vegetables as depicted by higher growth and yield parameters, followed by polyhouse, shade net house. Thus, in terms of enhancing agricultural production, soil fertility, profitability, and sustainability, among other aspects, protected structures-based farming is more beneficial than open field conditions. The analysis of the evaluation showed that compared to open environments, the gross and net returns under protected structures (protective cultivation) were much greater.

Advances and Emerging Trends in Horticultural Production and Management

Horticulture plays a vital role in global food and nutritional security. This review covers recent advances and emerging trends across various facets of horticultural production and management. Key focus areas include protected cultivation, precision agriculture, new cultivar development, innovations in propagation and breeding, micro irrigation systems, nanotechnology applications, and integrated pest management. The potential of advanced technologies like automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and genetics in transforming horticulture is discussed. Challenges for sustainable intensification of horticultural systems are examined. The review highlights how cutting-edge sciences, digital integration, and ecological approaches will shape the future of horticulture with more productive, efficient, and climate-resilient production.

Technological traits and mitigation activity of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria from mediterranean fermented meat-products

The production of safe and standardized fermented sausages with typical characteristics linked to traditional origin is highly desirable. The use of autochthonous starter cultures that provide peculiar flavor, texture and color to the fermented products, while maintaining the meat-product safe can be a feasible strategy for producers. In this study, 45 strains of Latilactobacillus sakei and 1 Latilactobacillus curvatus isolated from natural Mediterranean fermented sausages, were screened as potential protective cultures for their use in the fermented sausage industry. Technological properties, inhibitory activity towards Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua and the presence of genes coding for bacteriocins, were investigated. All tested strains showed an antagonistic effect by growing, while inhibiting the growth of target harmful microorganisms, in a strain-specific manner. At least one bacteriocin encoding genes was present in 25 strains, mainly sakacin X and sakacin P. The technological performances of the strains highlighted a great variability in the behavior, confirming the phenotypic diversity already reported for LAB species highly adapted to meat environment. Results highlight the potentiality of these strains to be used as protective starters in fermented meat products to improve food quality and microbiological safety, as well as giving peculiar characteristics to the final product.

Navigating Challenges and Prospects in Off-Season Vegetable Production

The demand for vegetables in India is substantial, driven by widespread vegetarian dietary preferences. However, the supply often falls short due to the inability to grow all types of vegetables throughout the year. This emphasizes the significance of off-season vegetable cultivation, offering a solution for year-round production, controlling price fluctuations during off-seasons, and ensuring accessibility for people across different economic classes. Off-season cultivation plays a pivotal role in addressing nutritional deficiencies and providing economic returns to farmers, especially during periods of market surplus and falling prices. Consequently, there has been a notable increase in off-season cultivation practices, where crops are grown outside the regular cropping calendar to counter supply shortages and capitalize on high market prices. Various methods are employed for cultivating off-season vegetables, including leveraging a country’s agro-climatic diversity, using different varieties, cultivating in diara lands/riverbeds, and employing protected cultivation. However, this review specifically focuses on diara/riverbed and protected cultivation of vegetables for their off-season production. While these practices have shown promise, ensuring consistent technical support, training, and a reliable supply of inputs like seeds and fertilizers, along with market information, is crucial for sustaining the adoption of agricultural technologies. Long-term success depends on accessible extension services, and the combined impact of various technologies contributes to improved off-season agricultural practices. This underscores the importance of farmer-centric policies in guiding enduring technology adoption. Factors such as education, experience in vegetable production, access to extension services, and training significantly influence farmers’ decisions regarding technology adoption.

Is soilless agriculture feasible for hybrid seed production in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)?

Hydroponics and aeroponics are advanced techniques for cultivating plants under controlled conditions without soil in polyhouses to address soil-related problems. An experiment was designed to evaluate the potentiality of soilless methods over conventional soil-based methods for hybrid seed production of tomatoes. For initial standardization of nutrient solution and pH of the media, six different nutrient solutions viz., Hoagland’s, CPRI, Chikkaballapur, Ethiopia, USDA and Komosa nutrient solutions, were tested, and pH was standardized. The crop performance was superior in Hoagland’s nutrient solution with a pH range of 5.5–6.4. The experiment comprised three methods of production, two parental lines (TAG 1 F and TAG 2 F), and two seed treatments (S1: Control and S2: Thiram @ 2 g kg-1 + chlorpyrifos @3 g kg-1) for hybrid seed production of tomato. A hundred percent survival rate was recorded in a soilless medium, whereas seed treatment increased the percent survival rate by 9% under the conventional system. Soiless method performed better than the conventional method. Aeroponics recorded a higher plant relative growth rate (1.17), fruit weight (124.54 g), total biomass (106.44 g), and seed index (3.95 g). Hydroponics produced a higher number of seeds fruit 1 (98.42), SVI-II (294), and 6% higher protein than the conventional method. The soilless method may open up a new approach for high-quality and year-round healthy hybrid tomato seed production under protected cultivation.

Using Bokashi and Cow Urine as Organic Low-Cost Amendments Can Enhance Arugula (Eruca sativa L.) Agronomic Traits but Not Always Total Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activity

Productive traits, total polyphenols (TPC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH) of arugula submitted to the combination (or not) of cow urine and doses of bokashi were evaluated in two experimental areas. Arugula was planted in cultivation bags with 55 dm3 of capacity in protected cultivation. The treatments were bokashi doses (0, 10, 20, and 30 g) and use (or not) of cow urine diluted 1% in water. The variables evaluated were fresh leaf biomass (FLB), dry leaf biomass (DLM), plant height (PH), chlorophyll index, TPC, and DPPH. In area 1, all agronomic variables were increased at 30 g and 20 g bokashi doses. FLB was increased by 87 and 76% with 30 g of bokashi. Cow urine only increased PH. In area 2, the use of bokashi + cow urine increased FLB, DLB, and PH with a positive quadratic response. At the maximum point, the FLB was increased by 159% with 28.92 g of bokashi. Bokashi increased FLB and DLB in the two areas in all evaluated doses. For TPC, with the use of cow urine, 10 g of bokashi increased TPC by 14%. Without the use of cow urine, increases of 17 and 33% with 10 and 30 g of bokashi were observed. The 30 g of bokashi is recommended because of increased productive traits and TPC.

Impact of Different Irrigation and Fertigation Practices on the Growth and Productivity of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under Protected Environment

The study assessed the impact of various drip irrigation and fertigation strategies on cucumber growth under protected cultivation. Over two seasons, surface drip (I1) was compared with subsurface drip irrigation (I2) under five fertigation treatments (F1-F5). Results revealed that I2 significantly improved growth parameters and yield over I1, including 5.5% reduction in days to 50 per cent flowering and 4.3% decrease in days to first picking. Fruit count and plant height increased by 14.1% and 7.8%, respectively, with a 14.9% rise in yield. Among fertigation treatments, F3 (compost tea with 75% NPK) outperformed the recommended practice F5 (100% NPK), showing a 7.8% faster approach to 50% flowering and reduced the number of days to first picking by 7.7%. F3 led to a 1.2% higher fruit count and a 6.2 and 14.7% increase in plant height and yield, respectively. The findings underscore the effectiveness of subsurface drip irrigation and integrated fertigation, particularly the F3, in enhancing cucumber production under protected conditions. The research highlights the potential of these practices in improving crop productivity and sustainability, especially in water-scarce areas.

Molecular identification of the causal agent of bacterial wilt in tomato plants in southwestern Paraná

Bacterial wilt, caused by phytopathogenic species of the genus Ralstonia, is one of the main diseases affecting the tomato crop. The Ralstonia solanacearum species complex occurs as a result of variants being widely diverse in terms of adaptation to different climatic conditions, host variations, and aggressiveness, which complicate disease control recommendations. In this study, we employed molecular methods to analyze 26 R. solanacearum isolates collected from tomato plants cultivated in the southwest region of Paraná, Brazil. Isolates were obtained from plants exhibiting wilt symptoms in a protected cultivation system and in an open field. The specific primers 759/760 confirmed the isolates as part of the Ralstonia solanacearum complex, and Nmult primers were used to identify the phylotype. Variability analysis using BOX-PCR with the BOX-A1R primer on 19 isolates revealed molecular diversity. All 26 isolates were confirmed as Ralstonia solanacearum, belonging to phylotype II. Comparison of genomic DNA band patterns amplified by BOX-PCR indicated molecular variability, forming eight groups at a similarity level of 0.63. These results confirm the prevalence of R. solanacearum phylotype II in southwestern Paraná. This information aids decision-making in disease management and contributes to breeding efforts aiming at the development of resistant cultivars.

Sea of plastic: representations of the sea and pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors regarding marine plastic pollution in Peru and Chile.

Marine plastic pollution remains one of the greatest problems worldwide. Hence, this study explores the attitudes and pro-environmental behaviors of Peruvian and Chilean citizens regarding marine pollution, with an emphasis on plastic pollution. For this, forty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with Peruvian (n = 24) and Chilean (n = 20) citizens, of which, through thematic analysis, semantic patterns were identified. Results show that the participants' representation of the sea is positive and related to the connection they report having with this environment. Additionally, it was found that the sea fulfills recreational and economic purposes, reflecting an anthropocentric perspective, since it is associated with leisure and resource extraction, respectively. Both purposes are related to the causes of plastic pollution, although with differentiated effects. Anthropocentrism is also reflected in the direction that environmental concern takes towards the impact of this type of pollution predominately on individuals and society. Regarding pro-environmental behaviors, most of the initiatives proposed by the participants in response to marine plastic pollution correspond to individual actions, which could be due to the fact that they perceive a low commitment level from authorities to address the problem. In particular, the Chilean participants attributed a greater role to their authorities in dealing with plastic pollution, which would indicate a more institutional perspective of the problem. Thus, it is proposed that to address marine plastic pollution it is necessary to articulate individual actions with public policies carried out by social stakeholders such as governments, companies and non-governmental organizations, in order to build a more efficient culture of marine protection.

Growth Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Raw Sausage via Bacteriocin-Producing Leuconostoc carnosum DH25.

The current study addresses the critical issue of Listeria monocytogenes growth in raw sausage/meat products leading to human infections, most commonly listeriosis, which is known for its high fatality rate. This research focuses on the isolation, identification, and screening of lactic acid bacteria from various meat and fish products in Switzerland. In total, 274 lactic acid bacteria strains were isolated from 30 different products and were screened for their ability to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth, with 51 isolates demonstrating anti-Listeria activity at 8 °C, 15 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C. Further experiments, using a meat model and a raw sausage challenge test, demonstrated that Leuconostoc carnosum DH25 significantly inhibited Listeria monocytogenes growth during the ripening and storage of the tested meat/sausage. This inhibitory effect was found to be attributed to the bacteriocins produced by Leuconostoc carnosum DH25 rather than factors like pH or water activity. The stability of the anti-Listeria substances was examined, revealing their resistance to temperature and pH changes, making Leuconostoc carnosum DH25 a promising protective culture for raw sausages. The genome sequencing of this strain confirms its safety, with no antibiotic resistance genes or virulence factors detected, and reveals the presence of the structural genes for the production of the bacteriocin LeucocinB-Ta11a. This study underscores the potential of LAB strains and their bacteriocins as effective tools for enhancing food safety and preventing Listeria monocytogenes growth in meat products, offering valuable insights into biocontrol strategies in the food industry.

Opportunities and Challenges in Protected Cultivation in India

Agriculture in India, deeply rooted in tradition and diversity, stands at the crossroads of unprecedented challenges and transformative opportunities. As the country grapples with a growing population, fluctuating climatic patterns, and the need for sustainable agricultural practices, protected cultivation emerges as a promising solution to reshape the trajectory of Indian agriculture. Protected cultivation, including the use of greenhouses, polyhouses, Crop cover, mulching film, and other controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technologies, has gained prominence in India as a means to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security. This research paper explores the opportunities and challenges associated with protected cultivation in the Indian context. The paper reviews the current status of protected cultivation, identifies key opportunities for growth, and discusses the challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of these technologies. It also provides insights into potential strategies and policy interventions that could contribute to the sustainable development of protected cultivation in India.

Differences in primary metabolism related to quality of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit under open field and protected soilless culture growing conditions.

The raspberry (Rubus idaeus) fruit is characterized by good taste and high acceptability by consumers. Thus, the impact on the quality attributes and metabolites related to raspberry taste should be evaluated in crop alternatives such as the protected soilless culture. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic changes during fruit development and postharvest of raspberry grown in open field and protected soilless culture and their relationship with quality parameters and sensory perception. In this study, the quality parameters and polar metabolites -sugar and amino acids- content were evaluated during raspberry ripening. In addition, ripe fruit was stored at 1 °C for five days, followed by one day of shelf life at 20 °C. The physiological and quality parameters showed typical changes during ripening in both growing conditions: a constant production of CO2, a drastic loss of firmness, an increase in weight and soluble solids content, loss of acidity, and a turning to red color from the green to fully ripe fruit stages in both growing conditions. Fruit from the protected soilless culture had significantly higher weight but a lower soluble solids content. The metabolic analysis showed differences in primary metabolites content during ripening and storage at 1 °C between both growing conditions. The raspberries grown in the open field showed higher contents of sugars such as D-glucose and D-fructose. On the contrary, the fruit from the protected soilless culture showed higher contents of some amino acids such as L-alanine, L-serine and L-valine, among others. The sensorial panel showed significant differences in the perception of the sweetness, acidity, color and firmness of ripe fruit from both growing conditions. The present study provides interesting and useful results with direct commercial application for this alternative growing system, mainly in areas where soil and water scarcity are a reality.

Optimization of Low-Tech Protected Structure and Irrigation Regime for Cucumber Production under Hot Arid Regions of India.

Water scarcity and climate variability impede the realization of satisfactory vegetable yields in arid regions. It is imperative to delve into high-productivity and water-use-efficient protected cultivation systems for the sustained supply of vegetables in harsh arid climates. A strenuous effort was made to find suitable protected structures and levels of irrigation for greenhouse cucumber production in hot arid zones of India. In this endeavor, the effects of three low-tech passively ventilated protected structures, i.e., naturally ventilated polyhouse (NVP), insect-proof screenhouse (IPS) and shade screenhouse (SHS), as well as three levels of irrigation (100%, 80% and 60% of evapotranspiration, ET) were assessed for different morpho-physiological, yield and quality traits of the cucumber in a two-year study. Among the low-tech protected structures, NVP was found superior to IPS and SHS for cucumber performance, as evidenced by distinctly higher fruit yields (i.e., 31% and 121%, respectively) arising as a result of higher fruit number/plants and mean fruit weights under NVP. The fruit yield decreased in response to the degree of water shortage in deficit irrigation across all protected structures. However, the interaction effect of the protected structure and irrigation regime reveals that plants grown under moderate deficit (MD, 20% deficit) inside NVP could provide higher yields than those obtained under well-watered (WW, 100% of ET) conditions inside IPS or SHS. Plant growth indices such as vine length, node number/plant, and shoot dry mass were also measured higher under NVP. The greater performance of cucumber under NVP was attributed to a better plant physiological status (i.e., higher photosystem II efficiency, leaf relative water content and lower leaf water potential). The water deficit increased water productivity progressively with its severity; it remained higher in NVP, as reflected by 20% and 94% higher water productivity than those recorded in IPS and SHS, respectively, across different irrigation levels. With the exception of total soluble solids and fruit dry matter content (which were recorded higher), fruit quality parameters were reduced under water deficit conditions. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering suitable low-tech protected structures (i.e., NVP) and irrigation levels (i.e., normal rates for higher yields and moderate deficit (-20%) for satisfactory yields) for cucumber in hot arid regions. The results provide valuable insights for growers as well as researchers aiming to increase vegetable production under harsh climates and the water-limiting conditions of arid regions.

Foliar application of cyanobacterial formulations stimulates plant growth and fruit quality in tomato under protected cultivation

ABSTRACT Cyanobacterial biofertilizers enhance plant and soil productivity across crops, through soil-seed application at the field level; however, their use as foliar treatment is less investigated. This study evaluated the role of foliar sprays, initiated 4 weeks after transplantation of nursery-raised seedlings in beds, and effected at weekly intervals for a period of eight weeks. towards enhancing plant growth, yield and quality of tomato grown in a climate-controlled polyhouse. Sprays were composed of aqueous formulations of carrier alone, and those amended with the formulations of plant-growth-promoting cyanobacterium Anabaena laxa (A. laxa) or biofilm Anabaena torulosa -Trichoderma viride (An-Tr) or suspension of 100 µM Fe EDTA. A. laxa brought about a significant increase in nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity in leaves by 13%–17%, along with 3-fold stimulation in carbonic anhydrase activity. Cyanobacterium-amended foliar agents significantly enhanced soil dehydrogenase, urease activity, along with increments in organic carbon, Fe, Zn in soil and stimulated yield, fresh weight and quality of fruits. Both cyanobacterial formulations were promising in enhancing plant growth, fruit yield and quality, however, A. laxa also significantly improved microbiological activity and nutrient enrichment in soil. Future research is focused towards optimising the dose and storage life of such foliar agents for protected horticulture.

Effect of Late Cultivation under Low Tunnels on the Growth and Productivity of Some Leafy Vegetables

The experiment was carried out in 2022-2023, on agricultural land in Idlib governorate, in the West Northern of Syrie. Experimental treatments were planted under low tunnels and covered with transparent plastic, to study the effect of late planting of spinach and lettuce crops in protected conditions. The seeds of local varieties of spinach and lettuce were used for the research. The experiment was carried out according to a randomized complete block design. The experiment results indicated that using protected cultivation methods led to significantly better outcomes in various aspects compared to open-field cultivation. For both spinach and lettuce crops, protected cultivation resulted in higher seed germination percentage (1.3 times), increased leaf area of seedlings (3.3 times), more marketable plants (1.8 times), greater number of leaves per plant (1.3 times), taller plant height (1.3 times), higher seedling weight (3 times), and greater plant weight at harvest (1.5 times). Overall, the total productivity per unit area increased using protected cultivation. The average increase rate for all studied traits was 1.9 times higher in protected cultivation compared to open cultivation. As a result, we recommend late cultivation of spinach and lettuce crops under low tunnels to shorten the cultivation period after the completion of long-season summer cultivation.

CONDUCE OF POLYFILM OF POLYHOUSE ON SOIL MOISTURE AFTER COMPOSITING FARM YARD MANURE

Protected cultivation is one of the most prominent methods practiced by most of the cultivators in North India especially to shield crops during adverse climatic conditions. Inside the polyhouse a microclimate is generated which protects the cultivars. An attempt was made to study the effect of polyfilm of polyhouse on the tomato yield when the seedbed was prepared by applying the farm yard manure by paddle operated farm yard manure applicator compared to broadcasting method (P1 and P2 ) in the crop research farm of Maya group of colleges, Dehradun. Two plots (O1 and O2) were also prepared in the same way in open field condition. The analysis was made on the attributes such as air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity and intensity of light in both situations, i.e. under protected cultivation and open field from mid October 2021 to mid march 2022. The results reveal air temperature was found to be 3-6ºC low in protected conditions but relative humidity was 12-14% higher. Soil temperature was 3-9 ºC was high in open field state but light intensity was low in polyhouse. The yield inside the polyhouses was obtained 48.7 t/h and 54.8 t/h compared to open field that was 31.6 t/h and 42.8 t/h.

Substrato à base de resíduos agroindustriais e coloração de bancadas de cultivo influenciam a produção de Zinnia elegans

Abstract Among the various technologies that can be used to modify the environmental conditions in protected cultivation, the use of agricultural waste and the use of cultivation benches of different colors can be beneficial to plants, providing adequate plant development and giving greater sustainability to the production system. The study aimed to identify the potential for using substrate based on agro-industrial waste and colored benches as alternatives for the production of Zinnia elegans. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Mato Grosso do Sul State University (UEMS), in the Unit of Cassilândia, using a completely randomized design arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme (three bench colors x five substrate doses), with three replications of four plants for each treatment. The treatments consisted of three colored benches (white, red, and control - metal bench) and five substrate mixtures with different concentrations of agro-industrial waste (SBRA) and Ecosolo® (0, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) in which Zinnia elegans was grown. The variables analyzed were plant height, length of internodes, the number of leaves, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), stem diameter, flower diameter, number of petals, time required for flowering and shoot dry mass. It was found that the composition of the substrate affected most of the characteristics evaluated, except for internode length and stem diameter. The benches resulted in significant differences in relative chlorophyll content and number of petals. Adding increasing proportions of SBRA, provides greater vegetative growth and flower development in Zinnia elegans plants.

Economics of Protected and Open Field Cucumber Cultivation in Jaipur District of Rajasthan

Protective cultivation is a cropping technique in which the climate around the plant is modified in part or whole to meet the plant’s requirement for the appearance of its output potential. For the study, an ultimate sample of 50 respondents was randomly selected from four villages in Jaipur district, which comprises 25 polyhouses and 25 open field cucumber cultivators. CACP cost concept was used in analyses of costs and returns pattern. Results showed that cucumber cost of cultivation in polyhouses and open fields was Rs 289815.10 and Rs 93726.24 per acre, respectively, while the gross return was Rs 543509.68 and Rs 137301.08 per acre. The net return of cultivation was Rs 253694.58 and Rs 43574.84 per acre under respective cultivation. In polyhouse cucumber cultivation, higher B-C ratio (1.88) was observed in comparison to open field cultivation (1.46) which showed that former was more profitable than latter. Family labor use in polyhouse was found relatively low in comparison to open field condition.