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I '29 .., ,r 2;? ,2 $2., 22 2 99222 2992 29‘2- "“222 2999‘" 5-7222. 922 9299,. 9,922 “a p. ,{IJ‘WJ .‘ ‘I-rwwawk- t‘ ' “5:14! ~'.“' " .- . ' _:" +13 ' . .9'. ' . . . 9;: 2 9.92 2' ., 9 .: ‘ ~ . '2’ 2 1'2, 2 ‘ II 2-" . , 5. .. . . 2 ,}I§;‘,;,;', 9‘. .' . . '9' 'II , .2. I .2 "9 "' "9' 22".; 2.9) 1'1; ' 2- 929%,)? n9 9"! m ,r; 9 I A h ‘.‘ - I 199;“ 1; y _ 9,, ":9 r- I . I ‘5 .m‘ ' . “'9' 9992 2-432, 2 . . 5 '2‘» 9272 ..I ,1 , 2' .2, 2 2 2292;, . L5“ Fl‘: , _ . . {1L __‘. 9'9‘ .,,_-—-_-_—...__.___ ._._._ lllflllllllWIN/HIMIHHIHIHIIIWILlllllllllflll 293 00075 8882 ‘mesrs LIBRARY Michigan Static University This is to certify that the thesis entitled EFFECT OF NITROGEN, PLANT POPULATION AND CHLORFLURENOL 0N GYNOECIOUS, PARTHENO- CARPIC PICKLING CUCUMBERS (CUCUMIS SATIVUS L.) presented by Rishi Raj Adhikari has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for M.S. Horticulture degree in 1, £14,444 L. f: Loci,” dMajor professor Date July 23, 1980 07639 OVERDUE FINES: 25¢ per day per item RETURNING LIBRARY MATERIALS: Place in book return to remove charge from circulation records 0:, .v r" Tit?“ ’ /I‘|\\\ --U\\ , \ “II\ ‘Efi {'I ”9 EFFECT OF NITROGEN, PLANT POPULATION AND CHLORFLURENOL 0N GYNOECIOUS, PARTHENOCARPIC PICKLING CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus L.) By Rishi Raj Adhikari A THESIS Submitted to MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Horticulture 1980 / /’ //’,’ ABSTRACT EFFECT OF NITROGEN, PLANT POPULATION AND CHLORFLURENOL 0N GYNOECIOUS, PARTHENOCARPIC PICKLING CUCUMBERS (Cucumis sativus L.) By Rishi Raj Adhikari The effect of different nitrogen rates (0, 50, lOO, and 200 Kg/ha) and plant population (75,000, 150,000, and 300,000/ha) on chlorflurenol (2.4L/ha) treated gynoecious, parthenocarpic pickling cucumber, cv. MSU 41x 581, was investigated. Dollar value, yield of the fruits, and total vine or biomass weight of cucumber increased with increased plant population. There was no effect on firmness or L:D ratio of the fruits. Nitrogen had no effect on fruit yield or quality. The nutrient composition of the leaves was affected by the rate of nitrogen application, plant population and stages of plant development. Chlorflurenol at 100 ppm induced 7 to 8 fruits to develop per plant while untreated plants in the greenhouse produced practically none. Ovaries induced to develop by chlorflurenol treatment accumulated less Ca and K than ovaries under exogenous NAA. It is hypothesized that this restricted cation accumulation is the cause of misshapen fruits in size grade greater than 5 cm diameter. To my Mother, Mrs. Naina Adhikari, in her loving memory ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The author wishes to extend sincere thanks to Drs. Robert Herner and Mark Uebersax for their useful comments and service on my guidance committee. I express my gratitude to Drs. Bill Dean and Larry Baker for their guidance in part of my work. My profound appreciation goes to my advisor, Dr. Hugh Price for his relentless and patient guidance and understanding throughout the course of this study and for his personal care during my crisis period (car accident). The financial support from MUCIA/NEPAL Project and the Pickling Cucumber Improvement Committee is duly acknowledged. I am thankful to my Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuwan University, Nepal for granting me the study leave and to Mr. N. B. Basnyat, the Dean at IAAS, Nepal for his encouragement as a plant scientist. My thanks are due to Dr. Darrell Fienup and Ardell Hard at the Nepal Project for their official, logistic, and personal help which has made my stay in the United States a pleasant one. I appreciate the Axinns for their encouragement and generous help, and my thanks to Nancy Axinn for her help in editing my thesis. I express my appreciation to my friend Bhairav Khakural for his true friendship and understanding towards me. Last, but not the least, my special appreciation goes to my wife, Shanta, for her courage in shouldering the responsibilities at the home front with three kids and for sending frequent, encouraging letters to me without which I could not have ventured on my graduate program in the United States. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................ iv LIST OF TABLES .............................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES ............................................. viii INTRODUCTION ................................................. l LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................ 4 General Nutrient Requirement ............................ 4 Mode of Application ..................................... 5 Phosphorus and Potash: Critical Factors ................ 6 Nutrient Uptake and Concentration ....................... 6 Nutrient Effect on Plant and Fruit Quality .............. 9 Plant Population ........................................ l0 Recommendation .......................................... 13 Morphactins ............................................. l3 Parthenocarpic Fruit Development: An Action of Chemicals: Chlorflurenol in Particular ............ l5 Calcium: A Factor Affecting Nubbin and Cooking of Fruits ............................................. l9 MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................ 22 I. Field Experiment .................................... 22 II. Greenhouse Experiment ............................... 25 A. Use of Chlorflurenol for Fruit Production in Gynoecious Parthenocarpic Cucumber ........... 25 B. Cation Uptake ................................... 26 RESULTS ...................................................... 27 Effect of Plant Population .............................. 27 Effect of Nitrogen ...................................... 38 Effect of Chlorflurenol on Fruit Yield .................. 55 Cation Uptake ........................................... 55 DISCUSSION ................................................... 60 Plant Population Effect ................................. 60 Nitrogen Effect ......................................... 6l Chlorflurenol Effect .................................... 6l Cation Uptake ........................................... 62 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page_ SUMMARY ..................................................... 64 APPENDICES .................................................. 66 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................ 71 Table 10 LIST OF TABLES Title of Table The effect of plant population on percent fruit of cucumber by size grade ....................... The effect of plant population on vine and biomass yield of cucumber ..................... .. The cucumber leaf tissue concentration of different nutrients at different stage of plant under different plant populations ............... The effect of nitrogen X plant population on percent nitrogen content in cucumber leaves at tipover ...................................... The effect of nitrogen fertilization on the cucumber fruit pressure by size grade ........... The cucumber leaf tissue concentration of different nutrients at different sampling stages under different nitrogen rates ........... The effect of chlorflurenol @ lOO PPM on fruit number per plant of cucumber under different temperatures .................................... The effect of chlorflurenol O 100 PPM on the fruit weight of cucumber under different temperatures ........ ...., ..... ....... ........... The effect of chlorflurenol @ l00 PPM on the weight per fruit of cucumber under different temperatures ...........,.....,.,........, ....... The effect of chlorflurenol and NAA on the development and cation uptake of parthenocarpic fruits ................ ,.. ...... ..... ............ vi Page 33 36 37 39 40 41 56 56 LIST OF TABLES (continued) APPENDICES Table Title of Table Page ll The effect of plant population on cucumber fruit pressure by size grade .............................. 66 l2 The effect of plant population on length and diameter ratio of cucumber fruits by size grade ..... 67 13 The effect of nitrogen fertilization on the lengthzdiameter ratio of cucumber fruit by size grade ............................................... 68 l4 The effect of nitrogen X plant population on the content of copper (PPM) in cucumber leaf tissue at 5-7 flowering stage (2nd stage of sampling) ...... 69 15 The effect of nitrogen X plant population on the height of the cucumber plant (cm) ................... 7O vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure_ Title of Figures Page l Effect of 3 plant populations on dollar value of cucumber fruit by two methods ... ...... . ..... 28 2 Effect of 3 plant populations on cucumber fruit yield (kg/ha) by size grade .................... 30 3 Effect of 3 plant populations on number of cucumber fruits per plant .... ........... . ..... 34 4 Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of nitrogen in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development .. 43 5 Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of phosphorus in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development . ........... ........................ 43 6 Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of potassium in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development .,., ....... .................. ....... 45 7 Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of calcium in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development ............,....................... 45 8 Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of magnesium in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development ..................,....,,........... 47 9 Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of sodium in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development .. 47 l0 Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of manganese in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development .......... ....... .... .............. . 49 viii Figure ll )2 l3 l4 l5 LIST OF FIGURES (continued) Title of Figures Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of iron in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development .................................... Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of boron in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development ............ ............. . .......... Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of copper in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development . Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of zinc in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development .. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of aluminum in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development ...., ............ ,..... ............. ix 49 51 53 53 INTRODUCTION Michigan is the leading state in pickling cucumber Production, The acreage of this crop in 1979 was about ll,000 hectares. The total production of pickling cucumbers in the United States was 0.68 million tons and that in Michigan was 0.l2 million tons which is 17.6% of the country's total. Pickling cucumber production in Michigan was valued at l5.5 million dollars in 1979. Mechanical harvesting of pickling cucumbers was initiated in l958 and today nearly 90% of the crop is harvested in this manner in Michigan. The advent of mechanized harvest has necessitated the development of a new "system" of production. The traditional monoecious cultivars used to be hand harvested 12—15 times during the season because the crown fruit inhibited the development of subsequent fruits on the vine. This phenomena is attributed to the hormone Auxin (indole acetic acid) being produced by the seeds in the fruits and transported to the other parts of the plant. Hand harvesting required much labor and time. Labor has become increasingly costly and unavailable, thus necessitating the mechanical harvesting of the fruits. But the prerequisite for mechanical harvesting is the concentration of many fruits of the valuable grade size at one time, as machine harvesting is a once over destructive harvest. For this type of cucumber, dominance is the limiting factor in producing many fruits on one vine at the same time. So far the average number of fruits per plant in the United States is only l.6. Thus, cucumber breeders have strived to develop parthenocarpic cultivars which would eliminate this seed induced dominance. Parthenocarpic, all female cultivars were developed, however, fruit setting was inconsistent and often was com- pletely lacking. Researchers found however that auxin transport in- hibitors applied when the ovaries are fully formed would induce them to proceed to develop normally. Synthetic auxin transport inhibitors such as TIBA (2, 3, 5 - triiodo benzoic acid), chlorflurenol (methyl - 2 - chloro - 9 - hydroxy fluorene - 9 - carboxylic acid) when applied to monoecious cultivars have produced several parthenocarpic fruits on the vine (Beyer and Quebedeaux, l974; Cantliffe, 1972; Cantliffe, et al., l972; Cantliffe, l974 A, B). The presence of male flowers, however, results in early seeded fruits, which inhibit further fruiting and drastically reduce yields. To over- come this problem, scientists have developed hybrids of gynoecious sex ecpression with parthenocarpic fruit set capability. The procedure is to cross gynoecious and hermaphroditic parent lines out doors using bees for pollination. The seeds, so produced, and planted produce numerous, female flowers with parthenocarpic fruits. These ovaries do not set fruit in the absence of pollen and generally abscise after 48 to 72 hours. The application of chlorflurenol, when the ovaries are fully formed, inhibits the transport of auxin out of the ovary, thus the accumu- lation of auxin triggers the development of the ovary, assuring the con- sistency of fruit production by developing all ovaries to fruits at the same time. The manipulation of harvest dates makes it possible to obtain more fruits of the smaller, more valuable size grades. Chlorflurenol stops the growth of the plant immediately after application, which facilitates fruit recovery from high density plantings. Nitrogen is essential for maximum fruit production. A high nitrogen dose has been reported to produce more but less firm fruits with poor fruit shape. The present study was initiated to investigate the yield and yield parameters of gynoecious parthenocarpic cucumber plants treated with chlorflurenol. The influence of nitrogen and plant population on the fruit yield and quality such as fruit firmness, length-diameter ratio and cause of nubs and crooks were investigated. The nutrient percent in the vine leaves was determined for all treatments. LITERATURE REVIEW General Nutrient Requirement As early as 1795, McPhail realized the importance of nutrition for cucumber growth and yield. Cow dung, horse manure and animal and vegetable moulds were considered very useful (72). Increased yield from the application of manure has been reported by many workers (16, 64, 98, 106, 122). Magruder (1923) obtained increased yields by the application of ground limestone and manure. Numerous studies have been done to determine the optimal dose of N:P:K for pickling cucumber under varying conditions which resulted in varying response for yield and growth of cucumber (34, 40, 64, 65, 70, 98, 106, 113, 120, 122). Dearborn (1936) and Anderson (1941) stressed the need for more nitrogen for better yield. Other workers (9, 93, 119), however, observed reduced yield of cucumber at higher rates of nitrogen by injurious effect on the plants. Phillips (1955) found 16 kg/ha N to be adequate under high temperature and low soil moisture conditions. Similar response was observed by other workers (107). Mechanical once-over harvesters started coming out of assembly lines in the early 19605. This initiated a whole new method of cultural practices. Bishop et al. (1969) found 50:100:50 kg/ha, N:P:K to be adequate for cucumber. Nicklow (1966), working with once—over harvesting cucumbers under high plant populations found the highest yield with the application of 120:120:24O kg/ha N:P:K. This finding is supported by K. 4 Miecik (1976). Johnson et al. (1973) pointed out that fertilizer require- ments of cucumber depended on soil type and rainfall. Downes and Lucas (1966) found no consistent response to nitrogen by pickling cucumber. There was good response of cucumber to the application of 60 kg/ha N (75, 19). Motes (1977) observed that the early maturing (50-60 days) hybrids require less nitrogen than monoecious varieties. He recommended 40-50 kg/ha N in soils with <2% O.M. and 25-40 kg/ha N for the soils with >2% O.M. Ermokhin and Naumenkho (1976) found the application of mineral fertilizers ineffective fOr cucumber when the soil had 15-25 mg N03 - N, 60-70 mg P205 and 60 mg K20 per 100 gm of soil at planting. Mode of Application The effects of different modes of application of fertilizers have been investigated. Side dressing 30-40 kg/ha N on cucumber had no effect (9, 25, 57). Split application of N has been reported better for cucumber (67, 98, 120). Side placed application of 400 kg/ha 5:20:20, N:P:K, was better than placing it 2" below the seed which decreased plant stand and yield (Miller, 1957). Bushnell (1941) reported side dressing at the first true leaf stage increased the yield but side dressing did not when applied later. He recommended 40 kg N/ha as side dressing on top of 80:80:80 kg/ha N:P:K preplant. Boradcast half of 12:12:12 0 300-420 kg/ha and half side dressed 2” to the side and 2" below gave 10.7 ton/ha of cucumber fruits. However, lowest yields were recorded by broadcasting after plowing the land (McCall et al. 1958). Ries (1957) reported no in- crease of early yield by supplemental fertilizer. However, in nutrient leaching conditions it is useful. Under high plant populations (more than 300,000/ha) 66 kg/ha supplemental nitrigen is recommended (78). Fertilizer spray for better yield of cucumber has been recommended by Hoglund (1958). Phosphorus and Potash: Critical Factors Phosphorus was found to be more important than nigrogen (12, 60, 64, 114). This has been disputed by others who found nitrogen to be the most limiting factor (33, 74). Phosphorus had very little relationship with yield. Deficiency of P and especially K had an adverse effect on fruit chemical composition and decreased fruit processing quality. Bushnell (1941) recommended the application of potash along with manure. The potash application rate was the most potent independent variable affecting early and total marketable yield. Again, this was disputed by Miller (1957). Any recommendation on phosphorus and potash rates should be based on the soil test. Nutrient Uptake and Concentration Miller (1957) reported that there was marked increase in soluble magnesium during the season and petiole samples at tip over, midseason and at the last harvest indicated an inverse relationship between soluble nitrogen and phosphorus and between potassium and calcium. Campbell (1953) found potassium and calcium application increased the sodium concentration in cucumber. Large sodium and low potassium accumula- tion in cucumber was associated with lower yields, Carpena, et a1. (1978) found more nutrient uptake by plants at sparser than at denser populations. Dearborn (1936) and Bishop, et a1. (1969) observed increased N, Ca, Mg and decreased phosphorus and potassium by increased application of nitrogen. Increased K application increased tissue K content (60). Less magnesium was observed when the application of potassium was increased (12). Cantliffe (1977, 0) found similar results. However, he observed increased potash with increased nitrogen and con- centration of N03 — N in leaf blades and tissue rapidly decreased during the last 2 to 3 weeks before harvest (fruit sizing period). The petiole tissue concentration of N03 — N outside .5 to .8%, reflected reduced yields. He further observed that optimum yields generally occurred when plants contained 4-5% total N and the source of N (NH4N03 or urea) and sidedressing had little influence on tissue concentration of N03 - N and total N. Hansen (1978) reported that N03 content in cucumber plants was not influenced by increased N application from 0 to 400 kg/ha N. El—Shiekh et a1. (1970) reported that the critical N03 - N concentration for cucumber on dry weight basis was 2000 ppm; a higher rate decreased the growth of cucumber plants significantly. NO3 - N was a better criteria than total N for determining critical nitrogen concentration for maximum growth and the total N content in cucumber plant was reported to be 2% (46), Ammonium fertilization suppresses cation accumulation in cucumber and the difference in cation accumulation in the shoots is attributed to the form in which N is translocated from root to shoot (8). Ingestad (1973) estimated that if N = 100 mg/lOO gm weight, K:P:Ca;mg would be 75:13:9z9. He also reported that cucumbers prefer nitrate and were sensitive to high ammonium concentrations and that cucumbers were obligate calcicolesdue to high tolerance to calcium and deficiency symptoms manifested in young leaves in spite of abundance in old leaves. Perez, et al. (1978) reported that in the early stage of cucumber growth, requirement for K was greater than that for Ca and Mg. The requirement for Ca increased from flowering onward, whereas Mg uptake was relatively uniform. Calcium accumulated mainly in the leaves. Although K uptake from the nutrient solution did not increase with plant age, K accumulation in the fruit was attributed to translocation from the leaves. Mavrodii (1978) calculated that a cucumber crop utilized 34.2 - 64.2% N from ammonium nitrate applied before planting or as top dressing. A heavy crop of fruits takes more nitrogen at the expense of leaves or other vegetative parts (38). Wilkins (1917) found very high concentration of Ca in cucumber plants. He also found CaO up to 5% which increased progressively as the plant reached maturity. In the fruit Ca was low, never more than 1%. The seeds had even lower Ca content, i.e., 1/4 of that of the fruit. He envisioned the relationship of calcium with other nutrients as follows; as Ca increased in the vine, the other nutrients decreased. The opposite was the case in fruit, as the plant progressively matured (calcium decreased, other nutrients increased). McCollum and Miller (1971) found the maximum rate of growth and nutrient accumulation at about 50 days after seeding cucumbers. They further reported when 80:42:80 kg/ha N:P:K was applied in the cucumber field the total uptake by the plant was 90:12:145 kg/ha N:P:K and by the fruit it was 40:6:55 kg/ha. This was supported by other workers (17, 111, 112). In once-over mechanical harvesting system, Motes (1977) found 25 kg/ha N removed by 15-20 ton cucumbers/ha. In addition, 25-35 kg/ha is removed by vines. Laske (1979) observed that cucumber cultivar,Uniflora D, removed 500 kg/ha N and when N z 1, the removal of P205:K20:CaO:MgO was 0.4:2.0:l.6:0.24. He further reported that nitrogen and zinc uptake was greater and K, Ca and Mg uptake was smaller in high temperature as compared to low temperature. Nutrient Effect on Plant and Fruit Quality Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency are first evident on the tops of plants concomitant with a reduction in rate of growth. Stems and leaves remain small, giving a stunted appearance. Fruits may be pale yellow in color and are often pointed at the blossom end (Morrison, 1966). Deficiency of P and especially of K had an adverse effect on fruit chemical composition and decreased fruit processing quality (122). Copper deficiency increased the proportion of poorly developed fruits (1). A high application of sodium nitrate or animal manure had no injurious effects on firmness or on other brining qualities of cucumber (38, 113). However, Cantliffe (25) and Flocker (50) reported more off-shaped fruit at high nitrogen rates. K. Mieck (1976) reported that it was not nitrogen level that determined the quality of canned cucumber but the freshness of the fruit before processing. There are some reports (67, 75) of increased fruits per plant by higher nitrogen rates. However, Morrison (1966) reported a slight decrease in the number of plants at high nitrogen rate. Nicklow (1966) found smaller size fruits with the addition of 120 kg N and 240 kg KZO/ha than more or less. However, Flocker (60) observed a yield increase with bigger size fruits 10 by increased nitrogen dose and Dearborn (1936) found smaller sized fruits with low nitrogen application. The addition of nitrogen has been reported to decrease the percent of cull fruits and the curtail- ment of the food supply (lack of fertilizer) to the fruits results in misshapen fruit of various sizes (38, 64, 108). Seaton et al. (1939) observed misshapened fruit in heavier and very poor soil than sandy soil. However, Wittwer and Tyson (1950) found no significance in the nubbs and crooks compared with fertilizer treatments (300, 500 and 800 kg/ha of 3:12:12). Miller (1957) found increased lengthzdiameter ratio with high nitrogen application whereas Cantliffe (1977,C) found no such relationship. Low nitrogen supply slowed the growth of the vine (38) whereas, early vegetative growth was retarded in cucumber plants with high N levels (67). Barnes (1941) reports that excess nitrogen may produce excessive vegetative growth and delay fruit setting. However, nitrogen had no relation with earliness of the crop in other studies (42, 61, 64). Lloyd and McCollum (1940) found that an early crop resulted from more phosphorus application. Nitrogen had no influence on sex expression in cucumber and there were abortive female flowers around the 18th node on the vine (Matsuzaki and Hayase, 1963). They sug- gested this response was due to utilization of all available nutrients by the older developing fruits. However, Cantliffe (1977, C) found increased pistillate flowers/plant by nitrogen application up to 134 kg/ha. Plant Population The need for higher plant population of cucumber was expressed by Putnam (1963). He stressed that the survival of the pickling cucumber industry in Michigan depended on the development of a successful mechanical 11 harvesting system. Research conducted from 1957 to 1960 indicated that mechanical harvesters based on a multiple harvest approach were not successful. He explored the possibility of growing and harvesting cucumbers in a once-over manner. High plant population up to 104,544/ha resulted in higher once-over harvest yields. Ries (1957); Bradley et al. (1975); Cantliffe (1977, D) and Mehwald (1977) found increased yield of cucumber by closer spacing especially in high fertility soils. Statens (1963) observed declined yield by wider spacing and increased yield per square meter in the first four weeks of cropping. Martin, et al. (1976) found highest yield (31.7 ton/ha) by plants grown at 1.40 X .4 m. Gomen and Wricke (1977) found greatest yield of cucumber from plots with 16 plants/m2 than with 4, 8, or 32 plants/m2, whereas Perez, et al. (1977) observed higher yield of cv. Sporu and Bit Spot by 1.9 plants/m2 than 2.9 plants/m2. El-Aidy and Moustafa (1978) found slight but not significant increase in the yield of Beta Alpha cv. by denser planting (20 cm). Reaves and Raymond (1979) found better yield by 7.5 cm spacing than 15, 30 cm in multiple harvesting cucumber and 12.5 cm gave higher yield than 25 or 50 cm in once-over harvest of the cucumber fruits. High plant population has increased the dollar value of cucumber (Morrison and Ries (1967) and Reaves and Campbell (1979)). Morrison (1966) reported highest dollar/ha by plants at closest spacing (9 X 9 cmz). He found the value per hectare doubled as the number of square feet per plant was reduced by one~half. Cantliffe and Phatak (30) found increased dollar/ha by increased plant population of 50,000 to 500,000 plants/ha. However, Nicklow and Fernandez (79) have reported decreased dollar returns by exceeding plant populations beyond 360,000 plants/ha. 12 High density planting of cucumber did not reduce the length of main stem but decreased the number of axillary shoots to 0.3 to 2.1/ plant in hybrid cv. Parifin Nitto and Koravo (Lesic, 1976). El-Aidy and Moustafa found better vegetative growth with 40 cm than 20 cm plant- to-plant spacing. Plant population has some effect on fruit develop- ment and number of fruits per plant. Staten (1963); Putnam (1963); Morrison (1966); Morrison. and Ries (1967); Cantliffe and Phatak (1975A) observed increased number of fruits/plant by wider spacing and decreased fruits by closer spacing. The last three groups of scientists also found a decreased rate of fruit growth in high plant populations. Ries (1957) reported earlier maturity of pickling cucumber by close spacing. Mehwald (1977) found it was possible to harvest gherkins earlier when there were 100,000 plants/ha than 50,000 plants/ha. However, delayed harvesting of CUCumber plants byta few days with close spacing has been reported (42). High plant population has been re- ported to reduce the female flower with marked effect in varieties with mainly female flowers and slight effect or absent in varieties with higher proportion of male flowers (Edelstejn and Paponov, 1964). Lesic (1976) reported most pistillate flowers appeared on the main stem in high plant population. Cantliffe and Phatak (1975A)reported lowest L:D ratio of cvu Premierat 50,000 plants/ha whereas cv. Bounty did not show any response. Morrisson (1966) reported no change in L:D ratio in cv. Spartan Dawn by plant population. Good quality fruits of grade 1 were produced by closer spacing (Statens, 1963). Ware, et a1. (1953) reported increased culls at 30 cm than 60 cm or 90 cm spacing. Similar results were observed by Mehwald (1977) in gherkins. Nicklow and 13 Fernandez (1969) observed a high percent of misshapen fruits at high plant population. They reported a pronounced sharp dip in gross photo-synthesis at high plant population to be the possible cause of misshapen fruits. However, Cantliffe and Phatak ' found no effect of varying plant population on the percent of (1975, A) off—shape fruit or fruit color. Putnam (1963) reported less dry matter per plant at higher plant population. He speculated that a decrease in dry matter decreased the capacity of the plants to support developing fruits by insufficient C02, light, water or nutrients. This was supported by Hopen (1962). Recommendations Anderson (1941) recommended 180 X 5 to7.5 cm planting for more yield and easy harvesting by hand for multiple harvest. Phillips (1955) reported that a space of more than 90 cmZ/plant was apparently unnecessary for cucumber plants. Ries (1957) recommended that Plellng cucumbers should be planted 2-4 seeds/30 cm of the row, resulting in 10 to 12 cm apart in the row. Cantliffe (1974B)proposed that yields of pickling cucumber harvested once-over could be improved by increasing plant populations and applying chlorflurenol. Motes (1977) has recommended 96-120,000 plants/ha with no irrigation and 168-240,000 plants/ha with irrigation. Eindhoven (1978) found best results by planting cucumbers at a distance of 42.5 cm rather than 37.5 or 50 cm. Morphactins Chlorflurenol is a member of a group of chemicals known as ”morphactin.” Its trade and the technical names are curbiset and l4 2-chloro-9-hydronyf1uorene-9-carboxylic acid, respectively. Schneider (1970) has described the morphactins as having a wide growth regulating concentration range and high tolerance with a favourable therapeutic index. These chemicals have prolonged action by over-dosing, sub- sistence of action and recovery capability of the plants. Morphactins also have a broad spectrum of action and vary within wide limits in- cluding weeds, grasses as well as woody species. Their action is systemic. A high concentration results in dwarfism whereas low con- centration has a transient effect on shoot growth, branching, and the morphogenesis of new growth subsequent to the treatment. It was due to such effects on plant morphology that they have been named "morphactins." Criley (1972) found chlorflurenol abscissing the coconut fruits of 4 to 8 cm and up to 20 cm diameter when applied at 5000 ppm with 2 chloro—ethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) at the time when pistillate flowers were most receptive. Chlorflurenol can be transferred by volatization (Gaither, 1974). When untreated beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were grown along with treated beans in an enclosed chamber both types showed reduced leaf surface, dark greening of leaves and inhibition of second internode elongation. Hield and Hemstreet (1974) found the re- duction of ice plant (Carpobrotus edule L. Bolus) growth when chlorflurenol was applied at 300 ppm. Its effect was enhanced with X-77 adjuvant. They suggested a continuous spray program to control ice plant growth on the highways. Purohit (1972) while working with potatoes observed that chlorflurenol affected the polarity of the sprouts by adversely affecting the excessive elongation and hook formation of the sprouts. 15 Parthenocarpic Fruit Develgpment: An Action of Chemicals: Chlorflurenol in Particular As early as 1939 Gustafson showed that the auxin level in ovaries of parthenocarpic oranges, lemons and grapes were higher than in non-parthenocarpic fruits. Elassar et al. (1974) found that synthetic auxin and Benzyladenine (BA) effectively induced parthenocarpy when applied in the whole cucumber plant. Direct application of B- napthoxyacetic acid (B-NOA), gibberellin (GA), parachlorophenoxy- acetic acid (4-CPA) and BA had effect when directly applied on flowers at anthesis, while ethephon and abscissic acid (ABA) were ineffective. 4-CPA was most effective as determined by shape and numbers of fruits. GA, when applied to whole plant, increased vegetative growth and inhibited the fruit growth even after natural pollination. The mechanism of action of the chemicals producing parthenocarpic fruits has been under intense investigation. Shulamit and Rudich (1979) report from Israel that the parthenocarpic fruit development in cucumber is controlled by sink strength and that the hormones act to assimilate mobilization of transport enhancing factors. Patrick (1979) further investigated the proposal that indole-acetic acid (IAA) enhanced acropetal transport in stems by acting along the transport channel in decapitated seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Hay (1955) has shown that pretreatment with 2, 4-0 or TIBA inhibits subsequent translocation of IAA. Cantliffe (1972), while working with nine growth regulating chemicals, found that chlorflurenol and TIBA were most effective in parthenocarpic fruit set and development in seeded cucumber. He reported to have produced 6 to 7 fruits per plant, as opposed to 1.6 fruit per plant in the 16 United States. Also, a new growth regulator CCDP (3-carboxy-l- (p-chlorophenyl)-4-6-dimethyl-2-pridone) significantly increased the number of female flowers and fruits. Parthenocarpy has been induced in unfertilized pistillate flowers of cucumber by the foliar application at early flowering of 10 to 1000 ppm of DPX 1840 [3, 3a-dihydro-2-(p- methoryphem)-8H pyrazolo [3, l-a isoindol-8-one]], a new auxin trans- port inhibitor (Quebedeaux and Beyer, 1972). They found increased pistillate flowers by ethephon application and increased number of fruits which developed parthenocarpically by subsequent application of DPX 1840. Beyer and Quebedeaux (1974) tried different inhibitors of auxin trans- port [DPX 1840, chloroflurenol, N-l-Naphthylphthalmic acid (Naptalam) and TIBA] and found that the results were compatible with the hypothesis that auxin transport inhibitors induce parthenocarpy in cucumber by rapidly blocking the natural flow of auxin from the ovary thereby re- sulting in an accumulation of auxin within the ovary sufficient to trigger parthenocarpy. Watkins and Cantliffe (1979) supported the above mentioned mechanism of parthenocarpy when they found more build-up of applied NAA in ovaries of cucumbers after the application of chlorflurenol tothe peduncle. Wiebosch and Berghoef (1974) applied 40-60 ppm of the methylester of chlorflurenol once between 1 and 3 weeks after the start of flowering and found that it induced 7 to 11 parthenocarpic fruits in seeded cucumber. They have stressed the use of chlorflurenol for once-over harvesting of cucumber. Schneider et al. (1977) reported an increased number of fruits in cucumber plants by the application of chlorflurenol which reduced the fruit size and period of development. 17 Gynoecious cultivars were induced to fruit without pollination by using chlorflurenol at 100 ppm. Cantliffe (1974, A) reported that fruit development from pollinated flowers of cucumber on the early nodes inhibited the fruit set on the later nodes. Chlorflurenol overcame this inhibition and produced many parthenocarpic fruits in non-pollinated flowers. It also reduced the seed number in non— parthenocarpic fruits. Pollination was shown to improve the effect of chlorflurenol in increasing fruit set (Cantliffe, 1977, B). However, Wells (1978) found variable effects of chlorflurenol on the yield of gherkin. Also, Putnam (1963) found inconsistent results by spraying growth regulators such as Benzothiazole, 2-chloroethyl ammonium chloride and maleic hydrazide on pickling cucumber yield for once-over harvest. Cantliffe (1974, B) proposed that the yields of seeded cultivars of pickling cucumber harvested once over could be improved by increasing plant population and applying chlorflurenol in the fourth leaf stage to limit growth and promote fruit set. He found more male flowers produced by a lower concentration (.1 and 1.0 ppm) of chlorflurenol; and fewer male flowers at 10 or 100 ppm. Plant growth was terminated by chlorflurenol at 100 ppm. Rudich and Rabinowitch (1974), while working with tomato found increased fruit set under high temperature conditions. Chlorflurenol increased fruit malformation and inhibited vegetative growth. Chlorflurenol increased yield of smaller sized fruits and reduced the percentage of off-shaped fruits, only on plants previously treated with ethephon, implying that chlorflurenol is more effective in plants with more female flowers as ethephon increases femaleness in 18 cucumbers (24, 27, 28, 29). Cantliffe and Phatak (1975, B) applied chlorflurenol and ethephon to pickling cucumbers and reported 68% more yield by increased number of fruits per plant. Similar results were observed in gherkins (102). The chemicals, when applied separately, increased the dollar value by 14% over the control. Chlorflurenol also reduced the length and diameter ratio of the fruits (also, Soenoedji, 1977, and Pike et al. 1979). They suggested applying ethephon twice, one week apart commencing at the fourth true leaf stage followed by a 50 to 100 ppm chlorflurenol spray when 6-8 female flowers have reached anthesis. Alanap (Naptalam) and chlorflurenol when applied to pickling cucumbers, increased total and smaller fruit yield by hand or mechanical harvesting (Palevitch and Menagem, 1977; Shannon and Robinson, 1976; Soenoedji, 1977). Pike et a1. (1979) and Soenoedji (1977) observed misshapen fruits after using chlorflurenol. Dean and Baker (1979) applied 50 or 100 ppm chlorflurenol on gynoecious parthenocarpic cucumber and reported that it stimulated parthenocarpic fruit develop- ment. They suggest that the response to chlorflurenol is more by parthenocarpic plants than weak or non-parthenocarpic ones (5, 36). The temperature seemed to modify the action of this growth regulator, low night temperature being more favorable. Baker (1979) found 5.4 to 12.6 ton/ha of l and 2 size grade fruits in 1978 grower trials in Michigan when he used parthenocarpic gynoecious cucumber with chloro- flurenol. However, in 1979 the yield was 2.8 to 8.4 ton/ha. 19 Calcium: A Factor Affecting Nubbin and Crooking of Fruits There are various factors affecting the production of cull-fruits in cucumber. Bangerth (1972) found an increasing number of fruit dis— orders caused by Ca deficiency in cucumbers. He observed that blossom end rot and cracking in tomato, and bitterpit, lenticel spots, internal breakdown and water core in apples and fruit cracking in several stone fruits could be reduced by Ca treatments. Ingestad (1973) reported low calcium uptake causing deficiency in the young parts, despite relatively high content in the old leaves. Requirement of Ca by cucumber plant increases from flowering onwards and its accumulation is mainly in the leaves (Wilkins, 1917; Ingestad, 1973; and Perez et a1. 1978). Calcium has been reported to be in ionic condition in the phloem sap of plants (Vangoor and Wiersma, 1974). Calcium requires metabolic maintenance for besipetal transport. Acropetal movement is slight, probably non-metabolic and essentially constant (Evans, 1964, and Dela Fuente and Leopold, 1973). The latter reported that besipetal transport of the auxin, IAA in sunflower stem sections was markedly supressed by washing the tissue in ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) and the transport was restored by subsequent application of calcium solutions. The above chemical treatment was shown to result in the removal of substantial amounts of calcium from the tissue. Lesser effects were observed for magnesium and lanthanum. They suggested that Ca was an important component of the membrane system on which the auxin transport site was presumed to exist. Many workers have tried to explain the mechanism of misshapen fruits in cucumber. Percent fruit set in muskmelon plants 20 treated with 1% IAA on the stigma was increased (Burrell and Witaker (18)). Wong (1939) reported some success in producing parthenocarpic fruits in cucumber by applying NAA in lanolin to the cut styles. Booth et a1. (1962) suggested that apical dominance and correlative inhibition of lateral buds might involve the diversion of nutrients toward actively growing regions (young leaves and fruits) and that the role of auxin in correlative inhibition may be to stimulate the movement of nutrients towards meristematic regions which are known to be centers of high auxin production. This was supported by Seth and Wareing (1966) and Bowen and Wareing (1971). They found that IAA—directed transport was demonstrated by the movement of14C—labelled photosynthates from the leaves to the peduncles. They suggested that hormone directed transport may play an important role in directing the movements of nutrients toward developing seeds which are rich sources of endogenous 14Clabelled assimilates hormones. Barrett and Amling (1978) found more in fruiting plants than non-fruiting plants after they pulsed the leaves of cucumber with 14002. Shulamit and Rudich (l979)reported that parthe— nocarpy could be induced in non—parthenocarpic cultivars by changing sink strength with plant growth regulators to the ovary. The hormones act to assimilate the mobilization of transport enhancing factors. Patrick (1979) observed that the concentrations of two inhibitors of auxin transport, which did not interfere with IAA-promoted besipetal transport, were found to decrease the IAA-promoted component of acropetal metabolite movement. The later inhibition was relieved by treating the stems with a supplementary supply of IAA below the point of inhibitor application. Hay (1955) reported that the mechanism which was responsible for the transport of IAA through excised sections of bean stems was disrupted 21 when 2, 4-0 or TIBA was applied to the foliage, subsequently inhibiting the translocation 0f IAA. Similar results were obtained with chloheximide (94). Watkins and Cantliffe (1979) found enhanced fruit set of unpollinated cucumber ovaries by the application of NAA and chlorflurenol. More 14 C NAA was accumulated in the ovary by chlofrlurenol application by inhibiting NAA movement out of the ovary. They suggested that fruit development might be regulated by the chloroflurenol by restricting auxin movement out of the ovary through the peduncle, causing an increase in auxin accumulation in the ovary which triggers fruit growth. Bangerth (1976) observed that artifically induced parthenocarpic fruits of apples, pears and tomatoes, as well as seeded fruits treated with TIBA, frequently show symptoms of Ca deficiency and a low Ca content. He concluded that auxins, probably produced by the seeds, play a significant role in Ca translocation into fruits. Exogenous IAA applica- tion could replace the effect of seeds in this respect. Auxin transport rather than auxin accumulation seems to be necessary for Ca transport as can be concluded from the auxin transport inhibitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS 1. Field Experiment A field of sandy loam soil type at the Horticultural Research Center, Michigan State University was selected for this experiment. Soil testing of the composite sample was done at planting and the re- sults are as follows: O.M. pH P K Ca Mg» Zn Mn Cu Fe (%) (meq/lOO gm) lkg/hal’ (PPm) 2.53 8.02 6.1 196 190 1231 110 2 3 1 32 Nitrogen as ammonium nitrate at the rates of 0, 50, 100, 200 kg/ha was applied by a gandy spreader. The field was then disked and nitrogen was worked into the soil. A fine seed bed was prepared by running a drag twice through the field followed by a cultipacker. The gynoecious parthenocarpic pickling cucumber, MSU 41X581, was planted on June 22, 1979. No other seeded cucumber variety was planted in the vicinity during the entire period of this trial to avoid pol- lination of this line. The seeding was done using a Swedish precision planter, Nibex. The row to row distance was maintained at 33 cm. and as many as 20 seeds were dropped per meter of row to maintain about 5 cm. 22 23 within the row spacing. The herbicide Alanaszrefar at the rate of 4.47:6.72 kg/ha was applied immediately after seeding for pre-emergence control of weeds. Following emergence the plants were thinned to maintain three plant populations: 75,000; 150,000; 300,000/hectare. Additional hand weedings were done to make the field as weed free as possible, Depending upon natural rainfall 25.4 mm. water was main« tained after every 5 days by sprinkler system throughout the growing season. There was no significant attack of any insects or diseases. Therefore, no pesticide was applied throughout the experiment. As many as 10 leaves were taken from randomly selected plants at three stages: vine tipover, 24 hours after chlorflurenol spray and at harvest. The leaves were washed in tap water and dried in the oven at 40,5° C for 4 days and ground in a wiley mill to pass a 20 mesh screen. The samples were sent to OARDC, Wooster, Ohio for analysis of twelve different nu- trients including N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, B, Cu, Zn and Al. Chlorflurenol (Methyl - 2 - chloro - 9 - hydroxyfluorene - 9 - carboxylic acid) was applied as a single full coverage spray at the rate of 2.4 litre/ha with a C02 pressurized (knapsack) backpack sprayer at 445 litre/ha volume when the plants attained 5-7 open flowers. The spray solution was prepared immediately before application. The harvesting was done once-over by hand 54 days after seeding when the diameter of 4 percent of fruits by weight were judged to be grade 3 (3.75 to 5 cm). The grades of the fruits have been determined by employing PCIC (Pickling Cucumber Improvement Committee) standard of measuring the fruit diameter as follows: 24 Grade Size Diameter 1 less than 2.65 cm. 2 2.65 to 3.75 cm. 3 3.75 to 5 cm. Oversize more than 5 cm. The dollar value was calculated by PCIC method and by the data provided by theAunt Jane Pickling Company which is as follows: Dollar/Ton Grade Size PCIC Local 1 143 243 2 72 154 3 48 72 The fresh vine weight was recorded and the fruits were graded, counted and weighed. Five fruits each from grade 2A and 28 were taken for determining length: diameter ratio and fruit firmness. The Magnus Taylor fruit pressure tester was used to measure the firmness by taking one reading at the middle of each fruit. The total biomass yield was also recorded. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with nitrogen as main plot and plant population as sub-plot. The plots were 8 x 3 meters and sub-plots 2 x 3 meters. The experiment was replicated 3 times. 25 II. Greenhouse Experiment A. Use of Chlorflurenol for Fruit Production in Gynoecious Parthenocarpic Cucumber MSU 41X581, gynoecious, parthenocarpic hybrid seeds were used for this experiment. Three seeds were sown in each peat pot in a flat on October 6, 1978. On October 18, 1978, the seedlings were thinned leaving one in each pot. The seedlings were transplanted into 9 inch pots and transferred to three different temperatures in the greenhouse. All the plants were staked for support. Plants were watered every other day. The fertilizer (Peters (9'45-15) @ 25 gm/4.5 liter water) was given twice during the growing season with irrigation water. Ambush insecticide was given two times at the rate of 0.5 ml/liters for the control of whitefly. There was some mild evidence of powdery mildew towards the end of the experiment. There were two different treatments given to the plants at about the 5 to 7 open flower stage (November 27, 1978): (a) chlorflurenol drench-spray at the rate of 100 ppm. (b) control-sprayed with water only. There were three average night temperatures (16, 21 and 27° C) used as blocks. The fruits were harvested on December 7, 1978 (10 days after treatment), counted and weighed. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with 3 blocks (temperatures), 3 plants per block per treatment. 26 B. Cation Uptake The seeds of MSU 41X581 were pregerminated in aerated water in a cheesecloth on November 8, 1979 under room temperature. After 4 days, 3 to 4 germinated seeds were planted in each pot filled with a peatlite mixture. The greenhouse temperature was maintained at 23 :_3° C. The seedlings were removed leaving one in each pot depending upon uniformity and vigor. All the seedlings were staked for support. Water was given every other day to full soaking. Fertilizer (Peters (9-45-15) @ 25 gm/ 4.5 liter water) was applied with water twice during the experiment. The insecticide, Ambush, was sprayed once at the rate of .5 ml/liter for the control of whitefly. The fungicide, Bravo, was sprayed at the rate of 4 ml/liter for the control of soft rot when the symptoms were seen in some lower leaves. The following three treatments were given 63 days after seeding when many flowers on the plants had opened within about 12 hours. 1. a - NAA (0.5%) in lanolin paste was applied to the distal end of the ovary after excising the corolla. 2. The plants were drench sprayed with 100 ppm chlorflurenol. 3. A droplet of 100 ppm chlorflurenol was applied on the pedicel of the flower. Fruits were harvested twice, 14 and 21 days after treatment. The fresh weight was recorded and the fruits were often dried at 40.5° C for 6 days following which dry weight was taken. The dried fruits were then ground in a wiley mill and dry ashed at 282° C for 10 hours. The dry ash sample was analyzed for Ca++, K+and Mg++ by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The experiment was conducted in a randomized design with 3 rev plications. As many as 3 plants were used per replication per treatment. RESULTS Effect of Plant Population In the field study the dollar value of the crop increased sig- nificantly as the plant population increased (Figure 1). The increase of plant population from low, medium to high (75,000 to 300,000 plants/ ha) increased the dollars from 410 to 792 per hectare using the PCIC method of evaluation. However, using a local method of evaluation supplied by Aunt Jane Pickling Company, the value per hectare increased from 836 to 1613 dollars. The marketable fruit yield was significantly higher at higher plant population (Figure 2). At low plant population, the yield per hectare was 5.5 tons which increased to 10.4 tons at high plant population. The amount of fruits by size grade was also significantly more at higher plant population. The numbers of size grades 1A, 1B, 2A and 28 were significantly greater at the highest plant population. However, there was no significant difference in the amount of grade 3, oversize (0.8.) and cull fruits under different plant populations. Increased plant population had no significant effect on the pro- duction of the percent fruit by size grade (Table l). The only excep- tion was in the case of 1B, which was significantly higher at medium and high plant population than at low plant population. The percent culls ranged from 1.4 to 1.7 and percent marketable fruits 97.9 to 98.5, It is also clear from the table that most of the fruits (94%) produced are of a valuable size grade (i.e., 1 and 2). 27 :1 28 Figure 1. Effect of 3 plant populations on dollar value of cucumber fruit by two methods. DOLLARS/ HA 29 1800 VI PCIC 150° I LOCAL 1200 g 7 LSD,05 14' 900 60.0 300 7 5 1 50 300 PLANT POPULATION X 1000 30 Figure 2. Effect of 3 plant p0pulations on cucumber fruit yield (kg/ha) by size grade. 14000 LSD.05 12000 31 IRN§§§CVSS§§§§§§§SSSSS§§§§K 444444444444444444 > m x z 9<— I—I:: SE00 3 o O O O-OOO omOO a h m o .a-co gum < .l “n. O O O O P sunua VH/Ox 8000 6000 GUI-L MKT §§§SS5. r4444 23. E§§VSS§§§u 444444‘ 2A 44 4000 2000 32 The number of fruits per plant decreased significantly as the plant population increased (Figure 3). There was a slight decrease of fruit number per plant when plant population was increased. The number of fruits per plant at low plant population was 2.5 and at high plant population it was only 1.7 per plant. The number of marketable fruits under different size grades showed no significant difference by different plant population except 2B's which had the same trend as the marketable fruits, i e., it decreased significantly with increased plant population. The yield of vine and biomass increased significantly with the increase of plant population (Table 2). The vine increased from 13.2 to 28 ton/ha and biomass increased from 18.8 to 38.6 ton/ha by increas- ing the plant population. Increased plant population had no significant effect on the fruit pressure of cucumber fruits (Appendix 1). The fruit pressure of cucumber was generally high ranging from 22.1 to 23.7 lbs. Similarly, the effect of plant population on the fruit length diameter ratio was not significant. The lengthzdiameter ratio of size 2A was 2.5 and that of 2B size grade was 1.8 to 1.9. (Appendix 2.) The nutrient content in cucumber leaf tissue at 3 different stages of development (tipover, 24 hours after chlorflurenol spray and at harvest at 3 plant populations) is presented in Table 3. The nitrogen composition of the leaves was affected very little by plant population but did generally increase with increased rates of nitrogen application (Table 4). The decrease in N composition of the leaves, however, was 33 FO>OF &m an omO An pcmememwu x_p:mowmwcmwm #0: men mewppmp mEMm xn umzoFFow 385.H 4.8 o: f 0.4 a: 5; atom New 08 93 o: m. 3... 3: <8 amgm mam 9: 9mm 0: _. 3 92 0.8 hams New 3 $3395: 225 .m.o m mm (N E S 3:38: cowpm_:goa pcmFQ mumew mem 43 “wage pcmoema mnmcu mNrm An Language pcwoema co cowpmrzaoa pcmFa eo pomeem wee .F Opnmh 34 Figure 3. Effect of 3 plant populations on number of fruits per plant of cucumber. FRUITS/PLANT 35 75 150 PLANT POPULATIONS x1000/HA 300 LS 13,05 36 Table 2. The Effect of Plant Population on Vine and Biomass Yield of Cucumber Plant Population Vine (kg/ha) Biomass (kg/ha) (1000/ha) 75 13,248.6C1/ 18,899.5C 150 19,579.9b 27,731.9b 300 28,065.83 38,674.8a l-/Means followed by same letter are not significantly different by LSD at 5% level. ._m>a_ am pm am; An SeaLaLLLa s_p:auLLwcm_m Bo: ate Lappm_ mama an amzo__OL meam2\~ 37 .cmmocg_c new cowpm_:aoa pampq we :owpowemch\N .cwmoepwc vcm scene—anon pcmpq we cowpomewchxm ow.om~ rm.ma -A.m aN.m¢ 0A.mm2 F.4N m.~o a_.mmm.m am.wee.me He._o¢.AN m.mmo.m mm.m com am.gom ao.ea N.A a_.m4 ae.eo~ m.am m.mm am.m__.o .e.mmm.om 4.Ame.mm m.mom.m mm.m om_ aN.eAm mm.me N.A mm.ma am.amm 4.4N c.2o am.oom.m a2.mmm.mm A.mom.om 4.4km.m mo.m me Aa;\ooo_v mpcmpa amaam cam uo.om_ m.mm m.m a.mm we.oom o.o~ N.mm N.mem.m m.mmw.om no.mae.2m A.moo.m amm.m com am.aam _.mm w.m ¢.mm m.Fe_ m.m_ m.em m.ooa.m mu.e_m.mm am._am.mm o._am.m am_.¢ om_ a4.2Am o.em \1m.m 3mw m._NN _.om o.mm 0.4mo.m a_.e4m.me 2b.mmm.am o.oem.~ amm.4 me Am;\ooopv mace—m mmaam new oo.mwm N.oa m.m m.Nm a_.mom m.©~ m.ma nae.m_m.m N.wom.mm rm.mme._m A.mmo.m mm.e com am.__m m.oe «.8 o.Nm no.4mm e.mm m.ma ae.omm.m m.m¢_.wm Le._me.mm a.¢o_.m am.¢ om_ am.aoo m.me _.© _.Nm a_.ome m._m _.ma na.emm.e _.Nm_.mm ae.mom.mm m.mmo.m\mom.a me Aa;\ooopv mpcmE amaom pw_ AZQQV Asaav Asmav Asaav Azaav AZQaV AZQQV Asaav AZQQV Asaav Azaav a _< :~ :0 m we :2 az a: no 9 a \mz .mcowpm_:qoa pcmpm ucmemwewo Lone: camp; 40 wmmpm pcmemcewo pm mpcmwepsz pcmemewwo eo cowpmgacmucou mammwe 4mm; Lassaozo Och .m OFQOH 38 very significant from the tipover stage to the time of harvest (Figure 4). The plant population X nitrogen rate interaction was significant only at tipover stage (Table 4). When zero nitrogen was added, the percent N in the leaves decreased as plant population increased, however, this relationship was not evident at the other nitrogen rates. The phosphorus, manganese and sodium content in the leaves at all stages and boron at tipover and at chlorflurenol spray stage and copper at tipover and maturity were not affected by varying plant populations (Table 3). Boron at harvest decreased significantly at high population. Plant population X nitrogen interaction was significant at the 2nd sampling for copper composition in the leaves. However, no clear trend was observed (Appendix 4). The potassium decreased significantly with higher plant population. Calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and aluminum reacted similarly (Figures 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15). Effect of Nitrogen In general nitrogen had no pronounced effect on fruit and plant of cucumber in this study. The L:D ratio of sizes 2A and 2B was not significantly affected by nitrogen rates (9, 50, 100, 200 kg/ha) (Appendix 3). The pressure of 2A size fruit seems to be greater with no nitrogen (23 lbs.) (Table 5). However, the trend is not clear. There was no significant difference in fruit pressure of size 28 fruit by nitrogen rates. An interaction occurred between nitrogen and plant population on cucumber plant height (Appendix 5). However, no clear trend is evident except at 100 kg N/ha where plant height was increased significantly more at high plant population. 39 Table 4. The Effect of Nitrogen X Plant Population on Percent Nitrogen Content in Cucumber Leaves at Tipover (lst Stage of Sampling) Plant Populationsl/ (1000/ha) Nitrogen (kg/ha) 75 150 300 0 4.86 4.83 4.57 50 4.72 4.85 4.98 100 5.02 5.08 5.04 200 4.90 5.11 4.88 The LSD,05 for comparing means in the same column is .25 and in the same row is .22. l/Means of ten random leaves/plot. Sample analyzed in triplicates. 40 Table 5. The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization 0n the Cucumber Fruit Pressure by Size Grade Fruit Press re (lbs. force A/ Nitrogen ]/ (kg/ha) 2A—- 23 0 23.0a 23.4a 50 21.3b 22.8a 100 22.3ab 23.06 200 21.5b 23.4a l-/Means followed by same letter are not significantly different by LSD at 5%. A/Means of 5 fruits in each size grade. 41 Nitrogen content in the cucumber leaf increased with added nitrogen rates (Table 6). There was significantly more N content at 200 kg N/ha than at 0 or 50 kg N/ha in the 2nd and 3rd sampling. The interaction of nitrogen X plant population has already been explained for nitrogen and copper content. Nitrogen had no effect on potassium, magnesium, iron, boron, zinc and aluminum content in cucumber leaves (Figures 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15). Phosphorus at tipover decreased with increased nitrogen (Figure 5). There was no effect at the later stage of plant growth. However, calcium, sodium and manganese increased signifiCantly with nitrogen application (Figures 7, 9, 10). The composition of different nutrients in the leaves varied through the season. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, iron and aluminum decreased through the season as their uptake was noticed reduced towards harvest (Figures 4, 5, 6, 10, 15). Calcium, magnesium, sodium, boron and zinc is increased through the season as their content was higher in the leaves at harvest than at the tipover stage. (Figures 7, 8, 9, 12, 14.) 42 .Pm>m_ em on am; 43 pcmcmemwu xppcmowe_cmwm po: mew memppm_ mamm za wagoppow mammz\a .o_ OFamP cw umucmmmea we :mmoepw: new :owpm_:aoa ucm_a mo cowuumcmucw m;e\x .m OanP cw umpcmmmca we :mmocp_: new cowum_:aoq pcmpa Po cowpomcmpcw mze\m m.mmm. m.m¢ mm.n m.m¢ o._om 2%.om “w.mo m.om~.m m.©m~.ym o.Poo.wm _.wmo.m mao.¢ com m.oom w.mv m¢.~ N.m¢ m.mo~ “O.MN “b.0A _.oom.o_ ¢.Amm._m F.mNN.mN o.m¢m.m namm.m oo_ o.mmm m.n¢ mp.“ m.oa ~.mmp Hm.mp Hm.mm N.¢oo.m ¢.mam.wa m.wmm.mm m.¢mm.m on¢¢.m om ¢.¢Fm N.n¢ n—.o m.~¢ m.oom Am.mF pfi.mm a.mva.m F.0mm.m¢ m.om~.mm m.mqm.m O__.m o Aae\mx zv m_aamm nem N.oNN m.mm w.m o.mm m.mmp He.nm m.mm m.¢¢m.m m.~mm._¢ N.mmo.mm m.o¢m.m umm.¢ oom m.o¢m m.~m m.m o.mm o.mmp Ww.m_ n.~m m.¢om.w ¢.wma._¢ N.¢m_.mm o.moo.m mmm.¢ oo_ m.~¢~ _.mm o.o N.¢m m.¢mmno_.mp m.Pm m.amm.m ¢.m_m.mm ¢.mmo.mm o.mmw.m nom.m om «.mmm “.00 \Nm.m m.¢m ¢.~om “w.m_ m.mm N.owm.w N._Nm.um o.mo¢.mm A.moo.m no~.m o Amz\ax zv OFQEmm new m.¢mm m._¢ _.o _.Pm «.mmm 2w.om m.¢¢ m._¢m.u P.4mm.xm N.mmm._m Am._me.m mm.¢ oom w.m_m m.~q o.m m.Fm m.mmm .am P.Nm m.mmm.m m.mmm.mm m.omo.mm N.amo.m oo.m cor m.mo¢ m.F¢ ¢.o m.mm N.mmm .om _.N¢ “.mmm.m m.m¢o.mm N.omm.mm mu.ma_.m mm.¢ om o.¢Fm o.o¢ _.o m.mm m.omm Am.mm o.¢¢ _.Nm¢.m N.¢om.mm N.mom.mm mm._oa.m \mme.¢ o Agaav “saav AZaQV Asaav Azaav thav Agaav Azaav Azaav Agaav Agaav \He Aae\mx zv Pq CN so m we :2 02 a: mu x a z QFQEam owe .mmpmm :mmoeuwz pcwemeewo Long: mommum mCPFQEmm pcmcmwewo um mpcmvcozz pcmgmeewo mo cowumtpcmucou mammre 4mm; Longsozu wee .m Opnmk 43 Figure 4. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of nitrogen in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5-7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Figure 5. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of phosphorus in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5-7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Phosphorus (PPM) 44 NITROGEN (%) —— ist Sample - -- -- 2nd Sample — -— 3nd Sample 5 (- '_____/—. P A ,0 I ’ ’ .- - A - - *~ o\° 4 "' .- ‘0’ ”/ / A E'- ‘ § / "" E 3 o/ / z _ b 2 — l— J! ‘1' ( 1 1 1 1 f 1 1 J 0 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Populatlon (kg/ha) (X 1000/ha) 4000 — r" 3500 - r- 3000 - r- :____'______. a ' Jr If 1 1 1 l 1 1 1 l O 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg/ha) (X 1000/ha) PHOSPHORUS (PPM) 45 Figure 6. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of potassium in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5-7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Figure 7. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of calcium in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5-7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Potassium (X1000 PPM) Calcium (X1000 PPM) 46 POTASSIUM (PPM) lst Sample - - - - 2nd Sample — — 311:! Sample 34 33 - 32 31 — ‘\ 30 \ 29 _ \~ \ 27 _ V 1’ 1 1 1 1 1 1 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg/ha) (X 1000/ha) 55 r‘ /o— — —o .\ \ 50 — / \ / \ \ 45 — \0 0.\ \ .- -’ — -. \ I 4° - x’ \x ‘0’ \ \ \ /\ 35 — 1' - f I l I l l l 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg) ha (X 1000/ha) CALCIUM (PPM) 47 Figure 8. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of magnesium in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5—7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Figure 9. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of sodium in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5—7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. 48 MAGNESIUM (PPM) — 151 Sample - -- - 2nd Sample — — 3rd Sample 10.0 F- ; F a a § 9.0 - / \ _ 0"" I ‘\ '- / \ \ >< ’ E 2 8.0 1— I— ; d”«\ h-— - C ‘ ’J’ \ ~ ~ ~ 2 \ /\ 7'0);- )va- ( J i 14 l I J O 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg/ha) (X 1000/ha) / A «2 / a / I \ E, ,’ \ E / l \ 1h-~-~.——_-—‘ .2 Vf / \s 40 £— -— J JP L I I I . l I 0 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg/ha) SODIUM (X 1000/ha) (PPM) 49 Figure 10. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of manganese in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5—7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Figure 11. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of iron in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5-7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Manganese (PPM) 460 Iron (PPM) 260 160 50 MANGANESE (PPM) 1 st Sample --- - - 2nd Sample — — 3rd Sample ~. h c - - - ‘ ----- a. 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Pop. (kg/ha) (x tonalha) r — _ l— .. A K a ” ’ \ s \ —. ————\ r“ ——0 \s ‘ \ ' '0 ‘\--—--"". ‘O"\\. L I J I J l J 0 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg/ha) (X 1000/ha) IRON (PPM) vi 7 0. Ta 1 L . _ ..'. stat-l 51 Figure 12. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of boron in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5—7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Figure 13. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of copper in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5-7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Boron (PPM) Copper (PPM) 52 BORON (PPM) 1st Sample - - - -- 2nd Sample — — 3rd Sample 50L 1— 1b—"" f 45 — — \ 40 _. L. 35 _ _ '— -“ b . ~ ~~~~.————---O ~~~:--—-‘ - \. I 4 30 — _ y I 2 1 1 1 1 1 4 O 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg/ha) (X 1000/ha) 8 r— — 5 h- ,L L 0 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kn/ha) (X 1000/ha) COPPER (PPM) .. 53 Figure 14. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of zinc in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5-7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. Figure 15. Effect of 4 nitrogen and 3 plant population rates on the composition of aluminum in the leaf tissue of cucumber at 3 stages of development. lst sample = At tipover. 2nd sample = At 5—7 flowering stage. 3rd sample = At harvest. - Aluminum (PPM) Zinc (PPM) 54 ZINC (PPM) 1st Sample ----- 2nd Sample — — 3rd Sample so:‘\“ "“. “"..----* “o— - " "' " ‘V 50w— \. \ - +\ ‘4 40 f - I 1 1 J I 1 1 0 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg/ha) (X 1000/ha) 800 —- N \ \ . \ \ \ ‘0‘ ~ \. 200 — l— ‘ ~ .. l l J 1 1 0 50 100 200 75 150 300 Nitrogen Plant Population (kg/ha) (X 1000/ha) ALLUMINUM (PPM) 55 Effect of Chlorflurenol on Fruit Yield The effect of chlorflurenol on the gynoecious parthenocarpic cucumber was remarkable in the greenhouse study. The use of 100 ppm chlorflurenol yielded significantly more fruits per plant than the controls (Table 7). The weight of fruits per plant and the weight per fruit was also significantly higher with chlorflurenol than the controls (Tables 8 and 9). The unreplicated temperatures (16, 21 and 27° C) showed a significant increase in weight per fruit and weight per plant under chlorflurenol at 21 and 27° C than at 16°C. However, there was no differene in the number of fruits per plant. N0 fruits were produced at higher temperatures (21 and 27° C) with control plants. There was some fruit production by controls in low temperatures (16° C). Cation Uptake The percent dry weight of cucumber fruits was higher at 77 days after seeding (DAS) than at 84 DAS under all treatments (Table 10). Auxin (NAA) treatment resulted in higher percent dry weight than chlorflurenol spray by both methods (pedicel application and drench spray on the whole plant) at 77 and 84 DAS. Calcium uptake by fruits under .5% NAA was significantly higher than by chlorflurenol spray on the whole plant or its application on the pedicel in both the samples (77 and 84 DAS). Potassium was sig- nificantly higher under NAA than under chlorflurenol treatments at 77 DAS, but was not significant at 84 DAS. Magnesium uptake was not significantly affected by the treatments on both the samples, but was more at 77 DAS 1111 Ill-“I1 I 56 than 84 OAS. All the cations (Ca++, Mg++ and K+) were higher in the fruits by chlorflurenol treatments applied at the pedicel than sprayed on the whole plant. 57 Table 7. The Effect of Chlorflurenol O 100 PPM on Fruit Number per Plant of Cucumber under Different Temperatures Temperature Treated Control 27°C 7.33 0.00 21°C 6.66 0.00 16°C 7.66 1.66 LSD,05 for comparing means for both column and rows is 4.22. Table 8. The Effect of Chlorflurenol @ 100 PPM on the Fruit Weight of Cucumber under Different Temperatures Fruit Weight (gm) per Plant Temperature Treated Control 27°C 195.77 0.00 21°C 176.17 0.00 16°C 117.55 4.93 LDS.05 for comparing means for both column and rows = 45.82. 58 Table 9. The Effect of Chlorflurenol @ 100 PPM on the Weight per Fruit of Cucumber under Different Temperatures Weight per Fruit (Gm) Temperature Treated Control 27°C 26.93 0.00 21°C 27.11 0.00 16°C 17.73 0.98 LSD_05 for comparing means for both column and row is 9 .—m>mp &0_ pm ewe xa pcmamewwu x_u:mO_ewcmwm yo: mew memupm_ Osmm on» he umzor_ow mcmm2\m .pcmpa mcwpcm asp op Pocmezpecopgo Eng oo_ Co Ameam m .Pmownma co cowp:_om Focmezpmeo_;o Egg ooF mo um_aogom .cowmwuxw mFFOLoo Loewe xem>o mo vcw prmwu op mummq :w_ocm4_ aemm. ao_e.e aawm. mm.m oe.e comm. ammo.a nemm. o~.e o_.m mAsaLamv _o=aE=_LLoF;u m“ seem. m¢m~.¢ QFOm. em.m om.m mmwm. nme.m noom. mo.q om.F Nfipmowvmav PocmezFeeopgu m_mm. muem.¢ mpmm. mm.¢ Am.m mFNM. mmam.m \Hmomm. FA.¢ om._ PAxm.v <mo one :o <