EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF THE SOWING DATE ON THE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF HYBRIDS OF EUROPEAN CUCUMBER UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS IN NORTHWEST SONORA

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the sowing date (SD) on the productivity and fruit quality of European cucumber hybrids under greenhouse condition. T. The trial was conducted at INIFAP in the Experimental Station of Caborca, Sonora, Mexico during 2005. We evaluated four hybrids (Luzaka, Marumba, Borja and Beluga) and four SD (October 15, December 15, February 01 and March 01). The sowing was done on soil and the plant density was 3,12 plants m(-2). The results showed that SD affected the number of days to first cutting and harvest period. Yields from the first, second, and third SD were statistically same, obtaining between 10,4 and 14,3 kg m(-2) of fruit, however, the yield obtained from the last SD was only 2,6 kg m(-2) of fruit. On the other hand, yields obtained from Luzaka and Marumba hybrids were better than those showed by Borja. The yields obtained among hybrids varied between 8,5 and 10,3 kg m(-2). The fruit weight was not significantly affected and varied between 319 to 350 g during the different SD, and from 329 to 332 g among hybrids. Using different SD, the European cucumber production from November to middle May is possible under greenhouse conditions without temperature control.