PRODUCING TRELLISED CUCUMBERS DOUBLE-CROPPED WITH TOMATOES

Several studies were conducted from 1988 to 1990 to determine the effect of using tomato plant skeletons as a support for trellised cucumbers double-cropped with tomatoes. In addition, the method by which tomato plants were killed before cucumbers were planted and the in-row spacing and row arrangement of cucumber plants on subsequent cucumber yield were also examined. Yields of trellised 'Dasher II' cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants planted in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plots fumigated with metam-sodium were not significantly higher than yields from plants grown in plots where tomato plants were killed with glyphosate or paraquat. The presence of tomato skeletons significantly reduced the average total yield, but not the average premium yield, of three cucumber cultivars in 2 years of the study. Cultivar effect on yield was significant, and there was a significant cultivar x tomato skeleton interaction for yield during 1988. Spacing cucumber plants in the row in the presence of tomato skeletons significantly influenced yields. Planting cucumbers in double rows per tomato bed with tomato skeletons in between significantly increased yield in 1988, had a mixed effect in 1989, and had no effect in 1990 when compared with planting cucumbers in a single row per bed. Chemical names used: 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium salts (paraquat); N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate); sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate (metam-sodium).