Effects of Pinching and Lowering on Cucumber Yield and Yield Components

Abstract

The effects of pinching and lowering on cucumber yield and yield components were investigated. A short-term experiment was conducted on 3 cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivars grown hydroponically in a greenhouse from July to October 2011. Pinching plants were pinched at above 20 leaves on a main branch and at the 2nd leaf on the first lateral branches. Lowering plants were pinched at above 15–19 leaves on a main branch and not pinched on 4 lateral branches that were lowered with their growth. The fresh fruit yield of pinching plants in all cultivars was higher than in lowering plants. The high fresh fruit yield was caused by the high dry weight yield, and the high dry weight yield was caused by the high dry matter production and distribution of it to fruits. Total dry matter production was correlated with light interception at 40 days after transplanting, but was correlated with light use efficiency, i.e., dry matter production per intercepted light, during the entire experimental period.