Energiebesparing door bladpluk bij komkommer : experiment 2016

As leaf removal experiments in tomato had shown that this improved dry matter partitioning to the fruits and production, a pilot experiment with high-wire cucumber was conducted in the spring and summer of 2016. The 5 treatments were combinations of 3 or 3.5 stems m-2, and 0%, 16% of 33% leaf removal in head of the crop. The combination 3.5/0% was lacking. The total number of fruits m-2 was the most important factor for production, which is determined by the optimal combination of stem density and assimilate supply. It is therefore important to grow the crop such that the maximum number of fruits with sufficient weight can be realized. Leaf removal in itself led to a slightly higher abortion, a lower development rate and therefore less axils, and a lower LAI with less light interception, and therefore produced less fruits and kilos. This, however, can be compensated with a higher stem density. It results in a crop with a normal LAI and architecture, combined with more axils m-2 that can bear fruits. Production and light use efficiency increase. On the other hand, labour and the chance on too small fruits will increase. Just as in case of tomato, it is likely that leaf removal in dark periods leads to less energy use to discharge moisture. The recommendation for growers, based on knowledge so far, would be: remove some small leaves, combine this with a relatively high stem density, and save energy in winter.