Cucumber Yield Response to Plant Density and Spatial Arrangement

Abstract

The effects of plant population density and spatial arrangement of plants on yield of gynoecious pickling cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) have not been clearly defined for the south central region of the USA. This research was conducted to identify adapted cultivars, the optimum plant population density (PPD), and plant spatial arrangement (PSA) of cucumber intended for once‐over mechanical harvest. Cucumber cultivars Calypso, Discover, Flurry, Lucky Strike, Napoleon, Peto Trip‐lemech, Regal, and Tamor were grown at PPDs ranging from 26 000 to 130 000 plants/acre. Calypso and Discover were grown with PSAs of 15 by 4‐in., 22 by 3‐in., and 32 by 2‐in. row and plant spacings on beds 76 in. wide and a constant population density of approximately 82 000 plants/acre. Yields generally increased at PPDs above 26 000 plants/acre, but no increases were recorded above 65 000 plants/acre. Plant spatial arrangement of 15 by 4‐in. row/plant spacing produced greater yield than either the 22 by 3‐in. or 32 by 2‐in. spacing. Results indicated that all cultivars tested, except Lucky Strike and Napoleon, when planted at 65 000 to 87 000 plants/acre and 15 by 4‐in. PSA on beds suitably spaced to accommodate equipment passage would produce an acceptable return to growers in the region. Research Question Production of pickling cucumber in some areas has changed from a labor‐intensive, hand‐harvested crop to one that is management intensive and machine harvested. Cucumber grown for once‐over harvest must have a concentrated fruit set on as many plants per unit of land as practical in order to achieve an economic return. Cultivar, plant population density, and spatial arrangement of plants on the land have a strong influence on total yield. This study compared cultivars, plant population densities, and spatial arrangements to determine the combination that would maximize fruit yield for once‐over harvest in the south central USA. Literature Summary The introduction of gynoecious (predominantly female) cucumber hybrids had a major impact on the feasibility of mechanical harvesting of pickling cucumbers due to their early and concentrated fruit‐setting ability. Commercially available hybrids vary in their adaptation to growing conditions, and the preferred plant population density and plant spatial arrangement have not been determined precisely for the south central region. The optimum plant population density in other studies has varied between 31 000 and 198 000 plants/acre. The spatial distribution of the plants often was not considered, however. A recent report indicated that increasing plant density by closer row spacing did not overcome yield reduction due to in‐row plant competition. Finding the preferred cultivar, and the optimum plant and row spacing is important for maximizing fruit yield of pickling cucumber with once‐over harvest. Study Description Eight gynoecious hybrid cultivars, six plant population densities ranging from 26 000 to 130 000 plants/acre, and three spatial distributions were evaluated on a fine sandy loam soil at Lane, OK. In the first experiment, cultivars Calypso, Discover, Flurry, and Napoleon were grown at 26 000, 43 000, and 87 000 plants per acre. In a second experiment, cultivars Calypso, Flurry, Lucky Strike, Peto Triplemech, Regal, and Tamor were grown at 43 000, 65 000, 87 000, 108 000, and 130 000 plants per acre. In a separate experiment, cultivars Calypso and Discover were grown in spatial arrangements of 32 by 2 in. (two rows/bed), 22 by 3 in. (three rows/bed), and 15 by 4 in. (four rows/bed) on raised beds 76 in. wide. A constant plant population density of approximately 82 000 plants/acre was established for each spacing arrangement. Applied Questions Which of the gynoecious hybrid cucumber cultivars are preferred for pickle production in the south central region if once‐over mechanical harvesting is used? In this study, cultivars Calypso, Discover, Flurry, Peto Triplemech, Regal, and Tamor had acceptable yields. Any of them would be a suitable selection for the region. What plant population density and spatial arrangement is preferred for maximizing cucumber fruit yield? Most of the cultivars showed increased yield as the plant population density increased from 26 000 to 65 000 plants/acre (Table ). There was no significant increase above 65 000, although two cultivars reached their peak yield above 87 000 plants/acre. The spatial arrangement with row spacing at 15 in. and 4 in. between plants was preferred over either the 22 by 2‐ or 32 by 3‐in. spatial arrangements. Recommendation Cultivars Calypso, Discover, Flurry, Peto Triplemech, Regal, or Tamor may be recommended for pickle production with a once‐over harvest in the south central USA. A plant population density of 65 000 to 87 000 plants/acre and a spatial arrangement with rows spaced 15 in. apart and plants spaced 4 in. apart within the rows was the preferred arrangement. Four such rows centered in raised beds 76 in. wide and spaced to allow passage of tillage and harvesting equipment appear practical. Marketable yield of cucumber cultivars at four plant population densities and once‐over destructive harvest. Plant population density Cultivar 43 000 65 000 87 000 108 000 Mean ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐bu/acre‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Calypso 317 366 308 348 335 Discover 319 ‐ 268 ‐ 294 Flurry 281 325 377 352 334 Lucky Strike 269 244 255 284 263 Napoleon 241 ‐ 218 ‐ 230 Peto Triplemech 231 262 294 313 275 Regal 291 387 329 307 329 Tamor 239 306 349 267 290 Mean 274 315 300 312 Harvested when 5 to 10% of the fruit were oversized (greater than 2.125‐in. dia.).

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