CUCUMBER INTRODUCTION

The cucumber belongs to the Cucurbitaceae (gourd family). The cucumber belongs to the genus Cucumis of which there are 20 to 25 species found mostly in Asia and Africa. Only two Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Cucumis melo (melon, muskmelon and persian melon) are of commercial importance in North America. It is an annual trailing or climbing vine usually with flowers of both sexes on the same plant(monoecious). Current market hybrids are produced on genetically gynoecious lines(all female blooms). Commercial seed lots have up to 10% of a monecious variety to provide sufficient pollen for fruit set. European greenhouse cucumbers set fruit without pollination (parthenocarpic). The cucumber is native to the northwest of India and has been cultivated there for at least 3000 years. The cucumber was known in France in the 9th century and was common in England in 1327.

          Cucumbers are very sensitive to cold temperatures and may be killed at 1°C. It has a minimum germination temperature of 16°C, an optimum germination range of 16°C to 35°C, with an optimum germination temperature of 35°C, and a maximum germination temperature of 40°C. Soil temperatures at planting must be at least 10°C for table cultivars and 13°C for gherkin cultivars. Planting must be delayed until all danger of frost is past. Windbreaks are essential for early production of this crop.

          A well drained loam to sandy loam soil with high organic matter with no frost pockets or problems with surface drainage is the ideal field situation. Wind protection, natural or artificial, is necessary.

           Slicing cucumbers, with the aid of plastics, are harvested from the field in early to mid July. Most of the field crop does not come on until early August. Slicing cucumbers average 15,000 kg per hectare with some yields as high as 22,000 kg per hectare. Due to market gluts in warm seasons not all of the crop is marketed. (2,500 doz per hectare to 5,000 doz per hectare). Pickling cucumber yields depend on the size of fruit harvested. (15,000 to 17,000 kg per hectare).

          Cucumbers are an important crop in the Atlantic area though market potentials may not be large. On the fresh side there is a strong demand for the product as it is a salad vegetable but processing cucumber markets have declined. The greatest potential would seem to be to extend the season by earlier production (use of plastics) and to look for speciality markets.

           Nutrient Content: Contains fair amounts of potassium, calcium and folate; and small amounts   of other nutrients including Vitamin C. Very low in calories. 6 slices contains 5 kilocalories.