Performance of Cucumber Cultivars in Northern Climate

Fruit yield and quality of 10 commercial cultivars (A&C Pickling, Bushy, Double Yield, Eureka, Marketmore 76, Marketmore 97, National Pickling, Parade, Russian Pickling, Straight 8) of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) were evaluated for local production in North Dakota. Seeds were sown directly in the field on June 20, 2014, on raised beds mulched with clear polyethylene film. Plants were spaced 3 feet (91 cm) apart on rows which were spaced 4 feet apart. Cucumber fruits were harvested weekly from August 13 for two months. Marketmore 76 and Eureka produced the largest number of fruits (180 and 168 per 10 plants, respectively). Top yielding cultivars on a fruit weight basis were Marketmore 76 and A&C Pickling with 62 kg and 60 kg per 10 plants, respectively. Bushy had the lowest yield with 101 fruits and 29 kg per 10 plants. Soluble solids content did not vary significantly by cultivar with a range of 3.2 to 4.2. Two cucumber cultivars (Regal F1 and Raider F1) were also grown with 3 different mulching materials (bio-film, clear poly film, and black poly film) and with no mulching. The fruit yield was 20.7% higher with mulching, compared to no mulch. Mulching with black poly film provided the highest fruit yield for both cultivars tested.