Browsing by Subject "cucumber"
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(2016)Mulching, as a cultivation technique, has been adopted since the early twentieth century in agriculture for improving various aspects of crop production. However, the use of mulching was boosted by the introduction of plastic mulch, which has been reported as a harmful substance to the farm environment. Therefore, the need for an environmentally benign mulch material is obvious. The present study investigated the effects of paper and biodegradable plastic mulches on the cucumber yield, soil temperature and moisture content (at 10 cm depth), and the control of weed growth in an agricultural field located at the University of Helsinki in Southern Finland. The degradability of mulches was also investigated. The null hypothesis was that all the mulches would have a similar effect on the abovementioned aspects. Four paper mulches, i.e., BP, KB, CK, and OB, accompanied by biodegradable mulch (BIO) and a bare soil (BG) treatment were under investigation. Each of these treatments had 4 replicates, and a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was adopted. Sensors were installed at 10 cm depth in each study plot to measure the soil temperature and moisture content. In addition, the experimental plots were watered by drip irrigation. All the attained data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The results of the study revealed noteworthy positive effects (P<0.05) of mulch application on cucumber yields together with soil temperature, early fruiting, and weed growth regulation compared to the un-mulched bare ground, exclusive of soil moisture content. The daytime soil temperature (DST) was higher than at night (NST), indicating a positive association of the mulch effect with plant growth and crop earliness. However, no suggestive improvement in soil moisture was found through mulch application during the study period. Edge degradation was only found for paper mulches during the study period, suggesting their environment friendliness. The CK and KB papers were the most effective and most environmentally positive mulch materials, and could be a suitable choice for Finnish vegetable growers. The findings of this study could assist paper manufacturers in improving the qualities of mulch papers regarding vegetable production. Future research aims at assessing the effects of mulches on the physiology of plants studied under mulched techniques together with the development of cheaper and more environmentally benign mulch materials.
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(2009)Greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is one of the most important vegetables in Finland with annual consumption of about 30 million kilogrammes. The cucumber itself generates ethylene at a low level, but excessive ethylene concentrations (>0.5 ppm) in ambient air causes quality losses, like yellowing and softening. The problem is that cucumbers often share the same airspace with ethylene generating fruits and vegetables during transport, storage and sale. The literature review deals with ethylene synthesis and its effects in vegetables. Also, ethylene measurements and detection, as well as ethylene exhaustion, and inhibition are discussed. The aim of the experimental study was to find the best available packaging material for greenhouse cucumbers. From 13 different packaging alternatives, studied in a preliminary test, the most promising were selected for storage experiments. Cucumbers were cultivated in greenhouses in SouthWest Finland. Packed cucumbers were stored at 12 ºC and in airflow with 1 ppm ethylene for 14 or 7 days for the first and second trial, respectively. Analyses were performed once a week. They consisted of O2and CO2concentrations of packages and sensory quality of whole and sliced cucumbers. Cucumbers were also photographed. Results showed that cucumbers packed in low oxygen transmission film deteriorated fast, whereas too many holes in a package resulted in high weight losses. Cucumbers packed in shrinkwrapped PEpackages with micro holes had lighter green colour than other cucumbers after 13 days. Cucumbers packed in biodegradable film had nearly 25 % weight loss after 27 days compared to other packages causing weight loss of 3 %. After 13 and 21 days’ storage time the freshness of taste was better if the PPpouch with an ethylene scavenger was used. The currentlyused shrinkwrapped PEpackage with micro holes proved to be a good choice for cucumbers if there is no risk of ethylene in food chain. If ethylene is present, it is better to use a PPpouch with micro holes. In that case, additional benefit of improved freshness of taste can be achieved by using ethylene scavengers.
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