Enhanced growth and yield of greenhouse produced cucumber under high altitude areas of Kenya

Abstract

Cucumber is a crop whose production has mainly been confined within the low altitude areas of Kenya. However, such areas are prone to frequent drought leading to poor quality and yield of the crop. The supply of cucumber to the local markets and for export has also been inadequate due to unreliable rains and lack of irrigation facilities in such areas. To promote the production of cucumber in the highlands of Kenya, the effectiveness of grass straw, clear polyethylene and black polyethylene mulches was evaluated in greenhouse experiments conducted in Njoro, Kenya. There were significant differences in the effects of mulch on growth and yield parameters of cucumber. For example, during the cold season, clear polyethylene mulch increased cucumber yield by 33% and number of fruitsby 27% over unmulched plots. There was also significant increases observed in the vine length, dry weight, numberof leaves, fruit length and fruit sweetness associated with different mulching materials used. However, the positive effects of mulches on growth and yield of cucumber was not significant during hot periods