Effects of pruning and the use of stand support poles on cucumber yield in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

This trial compares the yield of commercial varieties of cucumbers using traditional PNG methods and the effects of pruning and the use of stand support poles. For the cucumbers with more lateral branches, the yield was highest for those supported with poles while the yield was low for those not supported on poles. After topping off the cucumber plants at five leaf stage, there is no need to prune the lateral branches. However, the crop should be supported with stand poles to ensure the highest possible yields.