Standardisation of population density and trailing systems in gherkin (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

The present investigation on "Standardisation of trailing systems and population densities in gherkin (Cucumis sativus L.)" was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during January-March 2000. Gherkin cultivar Thiruvalla Local collected from Thiruvalla area of Pathanamthitta district was raised in a split plot design with four replications. Three trailing systems and SIX population densities were tried to understand their direct and interaction effects on morphological as well as yield attributes. Majority of the yield and yield attributes were significantly influenced by the systems of trailing, population density and their interaction effects. Among trailing systems, plants trailed on twigs (T 2) were earlier in female flower opening at lower nodes. This system also had more number of total and marketable fruits with highest marketable yield / plot. Among the population density levels lower level had early female flower protection. However, number of total and marketable fruits were more at the highest level of 53333 plants /ha. This level also had maximum yield of marketable fruits / plot. The interaction of treatments showed that plants trailed on twigs at highest density of 53333 plants/ha had maximum total number of fruits/plot. However, marketable fruits and marketable yield /plot were maximum in pandal system at highest density. The fruit parameters like weight, length, volume, flesh and rind thickness etc. were not affected by the treatments. Among the quality attributes total sugar content was highest in fruits from ground trailed plants. Other attributes like total soluble solids, reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar were not affected by the treatments. The highest benefit: cost ratio of 2.18 was observed in plants trailed on twig system with the highest population density of 53333 plants Iha followed by the pandal system (2.03) at the same density.