Looking for a cucumber farming guide plus a business plan to go with alongside. Read this article as an academic or an agro-preneur looking to know more.
The summer vegetable crop of cucumber, which is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is widely grown in India. The cucumber plant has a tendency to climb or trail. The delicate cucumber can be consumed fresh or in a salad with salt. Daily cooking also includes the use of cucumber. Seeds from cucumbers can be used to extract oil.
The ideal temperature range for the cucumber crop, which demands a moderately warm environment, is between 20°C and 24°C. Frost conditions are not appropriate for it.
Suitable Soil for Growing Cucumber:
Cucumber may be cultivated in a wide range of soil types, including clay soils with adequate drainage and sandy loam soils. For a larger yield, make sure the soil has organic matter by adding organic compost or any Farm Yard Manure (FMY). For best growth, soil pH should be between 5.5 and 6.7. Before planting seeds, the main field needs to be thoroughly prepared. Four times through the land, create long canals 1.5 meters apart.
The best season, Seed rate and Seed Treatment of Cucumber:
The optimal time to plant cucumber seeds is between January and April or between June and August. For a hectare, around 3 kg of cucumber seeds are needed. Before planting, treat the cucumber seeds with 10 grams/kg of Pseudomonas fluorescens, 4 grams/kg of Trichoderma viride, or 2 grams/kg of carbendazim. The cucumber seed is planted using the “dibbling” technique at a distance of 1.5 to 2.5 meters (row to row) by 60 to 90 centimeters. (Plant separation). In each pit, two to three cucumber seeds are planted. The layout in Ring and basis approach should be used.
When preparing the soil, 40 to 50 cartloads of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) should be added. 50 kg N, 25 kg P/ha Should be given half of the nitrogen and all of the phosphorus at the time the cucumber seeds are sown, with the remaining half of the nitrogen being applied 30 days later.
Irrigation requirement for Cucumber crop:
The most productive way for growing cucumbers is drip irrigation. Install main and sub-main pipes for a drip irrigation system, and space the inline lateral tubes 1.5 meters apart. Place the 4 LPH and 3.5 LPH capacity drippers in the lateral tubes at a distance of 50 cm and 60 cm, respectively. Maintaining moisture in crops throughout the summer requires irrigation, and agricultural irrigation is required during the rainy season.
Pests and Diseases of Cucumber:
Downy mildew is the primary disease that affects cucumber farming, and it can be managed by using Mancozeb or Chlorothalonil 2 g/lit twice with a 12-day interval. Fruit flies are the principal pest, and they can be managed by 1) picking the damaged cucumbers and destroying them.2) Neem oil at 3.0% used topically based on need.
Harvesting and Yield of Cucumbers:
After seeding, harvesting can be done 40 to 45 days later. It is possible to do 8 to 10 harvests on average. Cucumber should be picked as soon as possible for optimal fruit quality. For salad purposes, the yield is 8 to 10 t/ha in 80 to 90 days.
Now that you have read this cucumber farming guide. get this cucumber business plan.
How To Download The Cucumber Farming Business Plan In Nigeria
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