Offseason Production of Cucumber Genotypes in Response to Salicylic Acid in Anti-Insect Walk-In Tunnel

Abstract

A field study was carried out on the “Offseason production of cucumber genotypes in response to salicylic acid in anti-insect tunnel” at Agriculture research farm Malakandhir, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during August-December, 2024. Research study was formulated in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors. Factor A was cucumber genotypes SV8552 and SV8047 and Factor B was Salicylic acid concentrations: (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mM). The findings indicated that salicylic acid and genotypes had significantly affected almost all the parameters and the interaction between salicylic acid and genotypes was non-significant. Means data referring to salicylic acid concentrations revealed that salicylic acid sprayed at 2 mM concentrations resulted in maximum leaves plant-1 (63.33), vine length (308.3 cm), branches plant-1 (5.0), minimum days to 1st flowering (28.5), days to 1st fruit set (34.5), maximum fruits plant-1 (16.5), single fruit weight (130.6 g), fruit diameter (36.7 mm), fruit volume (202.5 cm3) and yield (104.2 tons’ ha-1). Mean data referring cucumber genotypes revealed that genotype SV8552 resulted in maximum leaves plant-1 (56.99), vine length (276 cm), branches plant-1 (4.2), days to 1st flowering (29.5), days to 1st fruit set (36.54), fruits plant-1 (13.5), single fruit weight (125.9 g), fruit diameter (35.5 mm), fruit volume (186.5 cm3) and yield (83.3 tons’ ha-1). While genotype SV8047 resulted in minimum leaves plant-1 (51.33), vine length (257.3 cm), branches plant-1 (3.2), days to 1st flowering (29.3), days to 1st fruit set (36.46), fruits plant-1 (12.4), single fruit weight (124.5 g), fruit diameter (35.2 mm), fruit volume (182.7 cm3) and yield (74.2 tons’ ha-1). It is concluded from the results that salicylic acid at 1.5 and 2 mM was most effective while cucumber genotype SV8552 is recommended for better off-season production in anti-insect walk-in tunnel.