Assessment of early ripeness and productive capacity of a collection of F1 hybrids of cucumber grown in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the south of the Amur region

Abstract

Relevance. In the vegetable market, cucumber is in stable demand. It also occupies one of the leading places in the structure of sown areas after root crops, cabbage, and tomato. In addition to high yields, modern varieties (hybrids) of cucumber, are characterized by good marketability of green cukes and transportability. The stable demand for green cukes among the population, as well as their high economically valuable characteristics, ensure constant interest in this crop both at large and small farms, which supply a significant part of the market with the fresh produce in spring and summer. Local peasant farms grow cabbages, root vegetables, onions, and watermelons, but very few of those cultivate cucumbers. Those are mainly grown in spring greenhouses. This imbalance is explained by the lack of cucumber varieties and hybrids adapted to local conditions.

The purpose of this study is the assessment of a collection of parthenocarpic F₁ cucumber hybrids and identification of highly productive varieties suitable for growing in polycarbonate greenhouses suitable in the spring-summer rotation in the south of the Amur Region. The object of the study were 11 F₁ cucumber hybrids of domestic and foreign selection.

Results. According to the results of studying the collection of parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumber grown in spring/summer polycarbonate greenhouses in the south of the Amur Region, marketable green cukes are formed on day 44-54 after germination. The hybrids Amur F₁, Artist F₁, Director F₁, Componist RZ F₁, Bjorn F1, Gunnar F₁, and Cedric F₁ are characterized by high productive facility. They have formed 9.0–13.0 kg/m² of marketable green cukes. According to the test panel score, the hybrids Bettina F1, Pasalimo F₁, and Gunnar F₁, have the best gustatory quality (4,8-5,0 points).