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CUCUMBER
(Cucumis sativus) & ORIENTAL PICKLING MELON (C.
melo var. conomon)
Cucumber
and oriental pickling melon are important cucurbits
grown in Kerala. Cucumber is mainly used as a salad
crop whereas oriental pickling melon is largely used
after cooking.
Cucumber requires warm climate and its growing season
is relatively shorter. Soil types ranging from clay
to sandy loam are suitable for this crop. It is more
sensitive to fluctuations of light and temperature than
other cucurbits. High light and temperature increase
the male flower production in cucumber.
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Mudicode,
Arunima and Saubhagya are high yielding varieties of
oriental pickling melon. Cucumber varieties such as
Pusa Seethal, Poinsette, Poona Khira are exclusively
used for salad purpose.
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Preparation
of land
Pits
of 60 cm diameter and 30-45 cm depth are taken. Well
rotten FYM and fertilizers are mixed with topsoil
in the pit and four or five seeds are sown in a pit.
Remove unhealthy plants after two weeks and retain
three plants per pit.
For trailing cucumber and melon, spread dried twigs
on the ground.
Season
The ideal seasons are January-March and September-December.
Seed rate: 0.5-0.75 kg/ha
Spacing
2.0 m x 1.5 m
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During
the initial stages of growth, irrigate at an interval
of 3-4 days. Irrigate in alternate days, during flowering
and fruiting.
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1.
Apply FYM @ 20-25 t/ha as basal dose along with half
dose of N (35 kg) and full dose of P2O5 (25 kg) and
K2O (25 kg/ha). The remaining dose of N (35 kg) can
be applied in two equal split doses at the time of
vining and at the time of full blooming.
A fertilizer dose of 70:25:25 kg N:P2O5: K2O / ha
in several splits is recommended in Onattukara region.
The fertilizer dose per pit would be 28:10:10 g N:P2O5:K2O.
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Conduct
weeding and raking of the soil at the time of fertilizer
application. Earthing up may be done during rainy season.
The important pests are epilachna beetle and red pumpkin
beetle. They can be controlled by adopting the measures
recommended for bitter gourd.
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The important diseases are downy mildew, powdery mildew
and mosaic. The control measures as recommended for
bitter gourd can be adopted.
Harvesting can be done only after 10 days (at least)
of insecticide / fungicide application. The fruits should
be washed thoroughly in water before cooking.
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Harvesting
can be done from 45 days after sowing. About 8-10 harvests
can be made.
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Not
Available
7-8
tonnes of tender fruits per hectare.
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