Cucumber fruit growth rate in relation to climate

Abstract

The current study was carried out in order to study fruit growth rate of cucumber, Cucumis sativus in relation to night-set temperature, shading and cultivation season. Two shading treatments (shaded with 33% shade black net and non-shaded double polyethylene greenhouse), two set point temperatures (10 and 18°C) and two cultivation seasons (fall 1994 and spring 1995) were applied. Fruit diameter and fruit length were measured as soon as the ovule reached a measurable size. Fruit volume is measured and correlated to fruit dimensions using regression analysis to find out the best equation for calculating fruit fresh weight. Fruit growth rate, FGR, was calculated for the four treatments in each cultivation using Richard's equation. The non shaded treatment with 18°C night set point in had the highest FGR in both seasons.