Cultural Practices

 In cucumber production, the field should be plowed and disked to turn under old crop

 residue in order to improve the efficacy of herbicides and fumigants. The soil should be

 analyzed for any additional additives required, such as lime or sulfur for pH adjustment.

 Disking can be used to incorporate the lime and to improve the condition of the field for bedding

 (shaping the bed). The height of the bed may range from 3 to 8 inches depending on the

 drainage requirements of the field. Bed formation can be accomplished using machines such as

 disc hillers or bedding discs. Fertilizer and fumigation practices should be done prior to the

 application of plastic mulch. If plastic is to be applied, a bed press should follow the plastic to

 ensure close contact between the surface of the soil and the plastic. Advantages of plastic

 include increased weed control and moisture retention, reduced leaching of fertilizer and faster

 crop development. Another benefit derived from the use of mulch is reduction of belly rot

 (Hochmuth, 1988d).

 Application of fertilizer depends on the production system used. There are several types

 of bedding production systems used in Florida including (1) non-mulched production of

 cucumbers, (2) mulched production with overhead irrigation, (3) mulch production with seep

 irrigation, and (4) mulch production with drip irrigation.

 Non-mulched production of cucumbers requires the following for fertilizer application.

If phosphate is lacking in the soil, a band of phosphate should be applied close to the roots, due

to the immobility of the element. It may also be necessary to band micronutrients on calcareous

soils. Some micronutrients can also be applied to foliage. Under normal conditions both

phosphate and micronutrients can be incorporated into the soil. Apply 50% of nitrogen (N) and