Influence of plant spacing, cultivar selection, and fertilizer levels on growth and yield of parthenocarpic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

The study was conducted during 2017-2019 at the Vegetable Research Farm, SHUATS, Prayagraj, with three replications. It included 27 treatment combinations of three cucumber cultivars (Pant Parthenocarpic Cucumber-2, Pant Parthenocarpic Cucumber-3, and Hilton), three plant spacings (60×30, 60×40, 60×50 cm), and three NPK doses (20:10:22, 25:15:27, 30:20:32 kg/1000 m²), applied twice weekly. Results showed that all treatments significantly affected growth and yield. Pant Parthenocarpic Cucumber-3 exhibited superior vegetative growth, early flowering and fruiting, and highest yield per vine (2.82 kg). Wider spacing (60×50 cm) improved growth and yield per plant, while closer spacing (60×30 cm) produced higher yield per square meter. Maximum NPK dose (D3) gave the highest number of fruits, fruit weight, and overall yield.It is recommended to grow Pant Parthenocarpic Cucumber-3 at 60×50 cm spacing with D3 fertilizer under polyhouse conditions for optimal yield and benefit-cost efficiency.