Response of slicing cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) to population density, trailing systems and nutrients

Abstract

The present investigation on "Response of slicing cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) to population density, trailing systems and nutrients" was conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram during April to June, 1998. The cucumber variety 'poinsette' collected from National Seed Corporation, was raised in split plot design with four replications. Four trailing systems, five population density and two levels of nutrients were tried to find out their direct and interaction effects on morphological as well as yield attributes. Majority of the characters were significantly influenced by the direct as well as interaction effects of the trailing systems, population density and nutrient levels. Among the trailing systems, plants trailed on mulches were earlier for male and female flower opening, whereas first harvesting was in pandal grown plants which also had largest values for yield and fruit characters. In general plants grown under wider spacing were earlier in flowering. The range for days to harvest was narrow for the various population densities. Highest density of 13 ,3 3 3 plants / ha gave the highest yield / plot. The nutrient levels significantly influenced majority of the vegetative as well as productive characters. Higher levels of nutrients gave early harvest, increased vegetative growth and higher yield / plot. The interaction between trailing systems and population density revealed that plants trailed on mulches and twigs at lowest density were earlier in female flower opening. Plants trailed on pandals at the moderate levels of

density and those trailed on twigs at the fourth level were earlier in first harvesting. Plant grown on pandals at closer spacmg had maximum yield / plot. Trailing systems interacted significantly with nutrient levels. Plants receiving lower nutrient level grown on mulches were earlier m first female flower opening where as harvesting was early in pandal grown plants receiving lower nutrient levels. Yield per plot was maximum in pandal grown plants at highest nutrient level. Plots with a moderate population density with higher nutrient level gave early harvesting. Maximum yield / plot was at closer spacing with higher nutrient level. The three way interaction of trailing systems, population density and nutrient was prominent for most of the characters. Plants trailed on ground with lower nutrient level at the highest population density were the earliest in first female flower opening. However harvesting was first inpandal grown plants at lower nutrient level with moderate population density. Yield per plot and per plant were" maximum in pandal grown plants at the highest level of nutrients and population density. This treatment combination also had the highest benefit: cost ratio 3.50.