Evaluation of Organic Cucumber Cultivars in a High Tunnel with Insect Screens Sanjun Gu, John Kimes, Quincey Moffitt and Peter Coffey North Carolina A&T State University Introduction High Tunnels are unheated, plastic-covered structures that provide an intermediate level of environmental protection and control, compared to open field and greenhouse conditions. For warm season vegetables, 6-8 weeks’ gain in season extension Cucumber is one of the most profitable crops for high tunnels English Cucumber and Beit Alpha Cucumber
One of the seedless and burpless types Long, slim fruit, thin/delicate skin Parthenocarpic (seedless) Could be gynoecious (all female) Better taste Usually pricy
Objective
Materials and Methods Location: A&T University Farm (zone 7b). High tunnel: 30’ x 96’ Zimmerman’s Insect netting Raised beds with black plastic mulch Trial Years and cultivars 2017: Corinto, Diva, Katrina, Socrates, Tyria, Tasty Jade, Kalunga and Picolino 2018: failed, cucumber beetles 2021: Corinto, Diva, Kalunga, Katrina, Picolino, Poniente, Socrates, Sun Mix, Suyo Long, Tasty Jade, Tyria and Unagi Transplanting: end of March to early April Pruning and training: single leader, Tomato Roller-Hook® system, dropping vines Experimental Design: CRD with 3 or 4 replications
Results 2017 Yield
Conclusion 2017 Accumulated Yield
To identify the best seedless cucumber cultivars for high tunnel production in North Carolina
2017 Insect screen really a must Socrates and Tasty Jade more productive Kalunga and Tyria are the longest cultivars with medium productivity Fertility? Diva was not a good cultivar Generally speaking, cucumber is very productive in high tunnels and did well in summer in high tunnels. 2021 Data yet to be analyzed
Acknowledgement • We thank Tekan Rana, Randy Fulk and other extension horticulture unit members’ help with plant management and harvesting.
