The start of infection with downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis Berk et Curt.) coincides with the picking period start of pickling cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivated through direct sowing, while the application of fungicide is being limited through frequent harvests. The larger portion of cucumber crop grown from the seedlings could be harvested prior to the onset of intense downy mildew infection without fungicide application in the picking period. Cultivar Levina growth was investigated in a two years experiment from two and three weeks old seedlings, with a root's substratum volume of 100 and 200 cm 3 , in comparison with the direct sowing as a standard cultivation. In the cultivation method from the seedlings the plants were ready for harvest for two or three weeks earlier than obtainable from the direct sowing. As a consequence the harvest period by the seedlings method lasted for two weeks longer, whereby a higher market product yield was materialized. It was established that the seedling age, and root's substratum volume have no substantial influence on an earlier picking period or the height of market cucumber product yields either. In the picking period by the cucumber cultivation from the seedlings method and with a three times/week harvest, it becomes possible without fungicide application to get 75 % of the yield until the onset of the intense downy mildew infection.

pickling cucumbers; direct sowing; seedlings

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia