BSc-MSc (Integrated)

The study entitled “Effect of growing environment and climate change on
growth and yield of cucumber [Cucumis sativus (L.)] under organic management”
was carried out at the Academy of Climate Change Education and Research,
Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during 2016-2017. The
experiment consisted of two growing environments (poly hose and rain shelter)
and four dates of sowing (1st, 11th, 21st June and 2nd July).
The biometric, phenological and yield parameters were significantly
influenced by the growing environments and date of sowing. The crop sown
inside the poly house recorded the highest length of vine (565 cm), number of
leaves (83) and number of flowers (60). Early flowering (36 days) and more
duration (86.6 days) was also observed under poly house. The crop sown inside
the rain shelter had the highest number of fruits (54), fruit weight per plant(9.53
kg), average fruit weight (177 g), early harvest(60 days), number of harvest (12)
and yield (31.6 t/ha).
st
The crop sown on 1 June showed early flowering, more number of fruits per
plant, weight per plant, number of harvest and yield both in rain shelter as well as
poly house. The crop sown on 11th June recorded the highest length of vine inside
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the poly house. The crop sown on 21 June had the highest number of flowers and
early harvest inside the rain shelter whereas the duration was extended in poly
house. The crop sown on 2nd July number of leaves in rain shelter whereas the
number flowers and early harvest was observed in poly house.
The highest N, P and K (170 kg/ha, 116.5 kg/ha and 520 kg/ha) and
organic carbon (3.12%) were also found the soil under rain shelter after the
experiment. The highest bacterial (45.95× 106cut ml-1) and fungal (76× 106cfu ml-
1
) population was observed inside the rain shelter. Actinomycetes could not be
detected either in poly house or in rain shelter.
With respect to the micro climate, the highest maximum temperature,
minimum temperature, soil temperature and relative humidity were observed
inside the polyhouse throughout the crop season. The highest soil moisture
content and PAR was observed inside the rain shelter.
The results of the present study revealed that growing environment and
date of sowing has significant influence on growth and yield of cucumber. Rain
shelter is a potential method to maintain the micro climate in favor of cucumber
growth and yield. Rain shelter growing and sowing on 1st June had a significant
impact on realizing the highest yield parameters and yield in cucumber compared
to poly house growing and other dates of sowing.