Improving Seedless Cucumber Production to Diversify High Tunnel Crops in the North Central Region

Seedless cucumber has drawn great interest from farmers in the region due to its great marketing potentials. However, challenges in high tunnel cucumber production do exist. Disease and insect pests including bacterial wilt, powdery mildew, two-spotted spider mites; low soil temperatures in the early season; and high level of labor requirement have been obstacles preventing farmers from growing this crop in high tunnels. In this project, we optimized production practices for high tunnel seedless cucumber production. Approaches include 1) evaluated seedless cucumber cultivars of the different types. We investigated yield, resistance/tolerance to major disease and insect pests, quality and shelf-life of major cucumber types and cultivars; 2) evaluated pruning and trellising systems for growing seedless cucumbers; 3) investigated effects of using grafting technique to improve cucumber yield and extend production season. We also evaluated different rootstocks, the sensory property of grafted fruit, and the economic value of using grafting technology. Our results indicated that farmers should select seedless cucumber cultivars based on consumer preference, production systems, yield potential, disease resistance, and insect pest tolerance. Pruning and trellising systems should be adjusted according to cultivars, available labor, and the anticipated harvest duration. Our research in using grafting technology in high tunnel cucumber production indicated that grafting is an effective approach to increase early-season cucumber production; hybrid squash rootstock is the most suitable rootstock for the high tunnel cucumber production system; sensory properties of cucumber fruit were not affected by grafting. Economic analyses suggested that grafting can be an economically feasible tool for high tunnel seedless cucumber production. During the process of conducting field trials, we reported a cucumber disease charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in Indiana the first time. Five peer-reviewed journal articles were published, and one grant (LNC20-438) was funded as a result of this project. Farmer participation is an important component of the current project. A total of 22 on-farm trials involving 13 farms were conducted from 2018 to 2020. Of the farmers who directly participated on-farm trials, four farmers reported that they will incorporate cucumber grafting into their production system. Three farmers incorporated grafting practice, and one reported an above 90% success rate by grafting cucumbers on-site. Nine field days and workshops that highlighing this project were conducted in IN and IL. Farmers and agricultural professionals in IN, IL, OH, MI, MN, IA, and mid-Atlantic region received the project information through presentations at farmers’ conferences in the above states. At least 800 farmers and agricultural professionals directly received the project information. The project led to the publication of High Tunnel Cucumber Production Guide.

Project objectives:

Objective #1: Establish production practices for economically growing seedless cucumbers in high tunnels.

1.1 Evaluate seedless cucumber varieties for yield, plant growth parameters and disease resistance.

1.2 Optimization of pruning and trellising systems that can provide maximum seedless cucumber yield while minimizing disease and pest incidence.

1.3 Evaluate season extension relative advantage and yield potential of seedless cucumbers grafted onto commercial rootstocks.

Objective #2: Determine economic value of including seedless cucumbers into high tunnel cropping systems

2.1 Conduct partial budget and sensitivity analyses of systems required to grow grafted and non-grafted seedless cucumbers in high tunnels.

Objective #3: Develop and deliver an outreach program on diversifying high tunnel cropping systems through enhanced seedless cucumber production

3.1 Involves growers at planning, implementation and evaluation phases of the project.

3.2 Deliver the research-based knowledge to a broader audience through multiple extension channels.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.