Apical pruning of cucumber has little effect on plant development and seed yield and quality

Abstract

Apical pruning is a process used in many species of the Cucurbitaceae with the goal to increase fruit yield and also commercial production of seed. The objective of the research was to determine the effects of pruning the main stem of the plant on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) development, seed yield, and quality. A line of Brazilian cucumber (PEP 788) was used. Treatments were no pruning and pruning of apical meristem at the sixth, eighth, or tenth nodes. Number of lateral branches per plant; number of fruit per plant; length, diameter, and fruit weight; seed yield, germination; first germination count; 1000 seed weight; seedling emergence; and emergence speed index were determined. Plants pruned at the eighth and tenth nodes produced more lateral branches. Pruning did not affect fruit number, seed yield, or seed physiological quality compared to unpruned plants. It is not recommended that pruning be used in this cucumber line, but in other cultivars, the results can be different and should be tested.