Cucumber

Local Name: Shasha

Scientific name: Cucumis sativus

Cucumber is an important summer vegetable commonly grown throughout Bangladesh. Cucumber plant, as creeper has a climbing or trailing habit. The tender fruits are eaten raw or with salt in salad. They are also used as cooked vegetable. It is reported that the oil exacted from seeds is good for brain and body. Drinking of water immediately after eating cucumber should be avoided, as it sometimes causes severe indigestion.

Production technology of  Cucumber

Climate: The cucumber is   a warm season crop and grows best at a temperature between 18⁰C and 24⁰C. It does not withstand even light frost. 

Soil: Cucumber can be grown in all types of soil from sandy to heavy soils. Loam, silt loam and clay loam soils are considered best for getting higher yield. Soil pH between 5.5 and 6.7 is favorable for its cultivation. 

Sowing Time: The cucumber is cultivated both as a summer and rainy season crop and the seed is sown according to type of crop.

• Summer Crop: January to February.

•  Rainy crop: June-July.

 In the hilly regions, the seed of cucumber is sown in April.

Seed Rate: The seed rate is 2.5 to 4 kg/ha.

Method of Sowing: The seed is sown by dibbling method at a distance of 1.5 to 2.5 meters (row to row) x 60 to 90 cm. (Plant to plant). Two to three seeds are sown in each pit. 

Preparation of land:Pits of 60 cm diameter and 30-45 cm depth are taken. Well rotten FYM and fertilizers are mixed with topsoil in the pit and four or five seeds are sown in a pit. Remove unhealthy plants after two weeks and retain three plants per pit.

Manuring:  30 to 50 kg cartload well decomposed FYM should be added at the time of soil preparation. 50 kg N, 25 kg P/ha is recommended. ½ N and full phosphorus should be given at the time of sowing seeds and remaining half N should be given 30 days after sowing.

Intercultural Operations: Conduct weeding and raking of the soil at the time of fertilizer application. Herbicides (such as Glycophosphate, Paraquat and Chloramben @ gm per acre) may be used to control weeds. Earthing up may be done during rainy season.

Irrigation: The summer crop cultivated as an irrigated crop requires enough soil moisture during its growth and development. During the initial stages of growth, irrigate at an interval of 3-4 days.During development stages, irrigation should be given as and when needed. No irrigation is given in rainy season crop.

Harvesting: The rail grown tender fruits should be harvested at an interval of two to four days. Timely picking is more important in regard to quality.

Yield: The average yield is about 6 to 15 quintals/ha.

Pests:The important pests are epilachna beetle and red pumpkin beetle. They can be controlled by adopting the measures recommended for bitter gourd.

Diseases: The important diseases are downy mildew, powdery mildew and mosaic. The control measures as recommended for bitter gourd can be adopted.

Harvesting can be done only after 10 days (at least) of insecticide / fungicide application. The fruits should be washed thoroughly in water before cooking.