Studies on the Interaction Effect of Pruning Methods and Training Systems on Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus l.) Cv. Malini Grown under Protected Conditions

Aim: To study the interaction effect of pruning methods and training systems on growth and yield of cucumber cv. Malini under protected conditions.

Study Design: The research plot was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD).

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in green house at vegetable block, College of Horticulture, Mojerla. Duration of crops is 3 months.

Methodology: Research was carried out with 12 treatments and 3 replications

Results: Pruning methods and Training systems interaction was assessed for growth and yield characters of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Cv. Malini under protected conditions during rabi season. The treatments consists of four levels of pruning i.e., P1 (Removal of flower buds up to 45cm), P2 (Removal of flower buds up to 60cm), P3 (Removal of flower buds up to 75cm), P4 (No Pruning) and three levels of training systems viz., T1 (Single head training system), T2 (Umbrella training system), and T3 (Low middle training system). Growth and yield characters were studied. Data collected was statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and separation of means for significant effect was done by the use of Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% of probability. The results showed that among the interaction treatments maximum numbers of fruits per vine (25.33), yield per vine (6.97 kg), yield per hectare (154.90 t/ha), marketable yield (150.10 t/ha) were recorded in P3T1 followed by P2T1.

Conclusion: Single head training system with pruning up to 75cm (P3T1) was found to be the best treatment and the treatment P2T1 was found on par with it.