EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOWING DATES DURING SUMMER AND KHARIF SEASON ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus, L.)cv. HIMANGI
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Date
1996-12-26
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MAHATMA PHULE KRISHI VDYAPEETH, RAHURI-413 722
Abstract
Productivity of cucumber generally depends on the season and associated package of practices. Season is considered to be one of most important components in increasing the productivity. The present investigation was undertaken in R.B.D. during summer and kharif seasons of 1995with four replications and eleven treatments (summer season 15th January, 30th January, 15th February, 1st March, 15th March, 1st April, 15th April and kharif season - 1st June, 15th June, 1st July, 15th July) at the Instructional-cum- Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) with a view to find out the optimum sowing date for cucumber cv. Himangi under Rahuri conditions. The observations were recorded at periodicalintervals. The results obtained in respect of vine growth, flowering . yield and quality of fruits as influenced bydifferent sowing dates are summerised below.The growth of vine in respect of length and numberof branches was highest in summer sown crops on 30th Januaryand in knarif sown crop on 1st July. Lowest growth of vine wasobserved in crop sown on 15th April.The period required for initiation of first femaleand male flower and node number at which first female and maleflower were lowest in 15th April sown crop. Narrow sex ratio (female : male) was observed in crop sown on 15th April.The mean number of days required for first harvest from sowing the crop were lowest in 1st and 15th April, sowncrop and highest in 15th January, sown crop. Fruit set pervine and fruits harvested per vine was highest in 1st July, sown crop and lowest in 15th April, sown crop. Highest yieldper vine and per hectare was highest in 30th January, sowncrop and 1st July, sown Fruit quality in respect of weight, length and diameter of individual fruit was higher in 15th January, 30th January crop and lowest in 15th April, sown crop. Highestpercentage of total soluble solids in fruit was observed in15th April, sown crop. Colour and surface of fruits were notinfluenced by different sowing dates.Keeping quality of fruits was good in 1st June, crop. Fruits remained in good condition for about 8 days. Bitterness in fruit was highest in 15th April, followedby 1st April, 15th March, sown crop.The investigation revealed that cucumber cv.Himangi for higher yield and quality fruits should be sown on30th January, in summer season and on 1st July, in kharif season.