Defence Agricultural Research Laboratory, Pithoragarh - 262 501, India.
Key words: crop yield, cucumbers, fruits, hydroponics, leaf area index, photosynthesis, plant density, protected cultivation, soilless culture, transpiration
Journal of Applied Horticulture, 2005, volume 7, issue 1, pages 58-60.
Abstract: A greenhouse experiment was conducted to identify the suitable plant density (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 plants per m2) for growing cucumber (cv. Green Long) in recirculating hydroponic system of cultivation. An increase in plant density from 2 to 6 plants per m2 significantly increased yield. A declining trend in yield and fruit number was observed at more than 6 plants per m2. The leaf area index and photosynthetic rate in different treatments were also recorded. The photosynthetic and transpiration rates were maximum when plant density was maintained at 6 plants per m2.
