Cucumber Cultivation in India with Important Guidelines

Cucumber fruit is eaten raw, served as a salad, or cooked as a vegetable. These fruit seeds are used to extract oil which is good for the body and mind. In addition, Cucumber contains 96% water which is good in the summer season. The botanical name of cucumber fruit is Cucumis sativus. Cucumber originated in India. It is a climbing plant used as a summer vegetable all over India. The plants are large, the leaves are hairy and triangular, and the flowers are yellow. Cucumber cultivation requires various equipment, which plays a significant role in agro-processing. Equipment, harvesters, and tractors are the main factor in cultivating cucumbers. Hence, we recommend the John Deere 5205 tractor.

Process of Cucumber cultivation

Here we are describing the process of cucumber farming in India. 

Soil Required for Cucumber Farming

Farmers can grow cucumber on alluvial soil. However, it gives the best yield if grown in soil with a sandy loam texture, pH 6.0 to 7.0. Use the loamy soil because it is rich in organic matter for cucumber cultivation. When the pH is too low, add calcitic ground limestone, or an equal amount of dolomitic limestone, to raise it to a desirable level if the magnesium level in the soil is low.

Climate Information for Cucumber Farming

The best climatic conditions required for cucumber are high humidity and also required temperature ranges from 25 to 35 Celsius, with an average rainfall of between 20 cm to 30 cm. It grows best in high temperature, humidity, light intensity, and uninterrupted water and nutrients.

Land Preparation for Cucumber Cultivation

Cucumber cultivation requires a well-prepared and weed-free field. Before planting, farmers should do 3-4 ploughings to make the soil flexible. Farmers should mix FYM or cow dung in the soil to enrich the field. Soil fumigation helps in the control of weeds and soil-borne diseases. However, fumigation alone can not offer satisfactory weed control under clear plastics. Before field planting, black plastic mulching conserves moisture, raises soil temperature, and increases yield and total yield. They must place Plastic immediately over the fumigated soil.

Green House:

A greenhouse is an easy structure constructed with available materials like bamboo, wood, etc. Farmers use Ultra Violet (UV) film as the cladding material. However, you can adopt simple techniques to increase or decrease the temperature and humidity. You can reduce even the intensity by including shading materials such as mesh. During summer, you can reduce the temperature by opening the side walls. Farmers can use such structures as rain shelters for crop cultivation. Otherwise, the inside temperature rises when all the sidewalks are covered with plastic film. This type of greenhouse is mostly suitable for cold climate regions.

Cucumber Cultivation – Sowing Methods and Tips 

Dibbling method: 

Farmers sow cucumber with the help of a small instrument called ‘dibbler’. It is iron or wooden frame with pegs. The frame is pressed into the field after it is lifted, and then one or two seeds are dropped into each hole by hand. The queue distance should be between 120 – 150 cm. Farmers should sow Plants/seeds at a distance of 30 to 45 cm. You should keep the Seed depth between 2.0 to 4.0 cm.

Cucumber Farming – Irrigation Requirement

Cucumber plants have shallow roots and need ample soil moisture at all stages of growth. When fruits begin to ripen and mature, adequate moisture becomes especially important. An erratic water supply, especially during flowering and fruit development, can adversely affect fruit quality and increase nubbins or fruit set. It does not require any kind of irrigation during the rainy season. However, it requires frequent irrigation during the summer season. Irrigate at an interval of four to seven days. Irrigate two days before harvesting. This will keep the fruits fresh, shiny, and attractive.

Cucumber Farming – Fertilizer Requirement

Apply well-decomposed cow dung at the time of sowing, a total dose of potash and phosphorus, and one-third of nitrogen. Divide the remaining amount of nitrogen into two equal parts. Give the first dose 25-30 days after sowing and the second 40-50 days after sowing.

Minimum nitrogen content (kg/ha): 40, Maximum nitrogen content (kg/ha): 50, Minimum phosphorus content (kg/ha): 20, Maximum phosphorus content (kg/ha): 30, Minimum potassium content (kg/ha) hectare) ha): 20, maximum potassium content (kg / ha): 25

Popular Varieties With Their Yield

Punjab Cucumber

Released in 2018. It has dark green fruits that are less bitter, with an average weight of 125 g and an average length of 13-15 cm. The crop sown in September and January can be harvested after 45 and 60 days of sowing. Its average yield is 304 quintals per acre in September and 370 quintals per acre when sown in January.

Punjab Naveen

This variety was developed in 2008. Plants of this variety have dark green leaves; fruits are uniformly cylindrical and light green with a smooth surface. 

With the guidance of cucumber farming, we can guide the agricultural equipment, such as tractors, implements, and harvesters. Now we are guiding about tractors. For cucumber farming, the Massey 1035 tractor is the best in agriculture. Along with this, we suggest the Eicher 380 tractor. 

For further information related to the cucumber farming Business in India, stay tuned with us.