Causes of Cucumber Skin Cracking and Detailed Control Methods

Cucumber skin cracking is an extremely common physiological disorder in cucumber production. It is one of the main factors that seriously affects cucumber quality and severely reduces growers' economic returns. So what causes cucumber skin cracking? Let's take a look.

1. Causes of cucumber skin cracking

1. Phytotoxicity

Viral disease is an important disease harming cucumbers, and whiteflies are also a main route for spreading viral disease, so controlling whiteflies is a key task. At present, chemical control is mostly used. Using too much or applying chemicals at the wrong time can cause phytotoxicity, and small sunken spots will form on the fruit skin, inhibiting fruit skin growth. As the fruit grows, the spots merge into patches, causing skin cracking.

2. Unreasonable flower-dipping agent

Cucumber skin is relatively thin. A high concentration of flower-dipping agent, long-term accumulation, or spraying an excessive amount of flower-dipping agent will all cause gum oozing and skin cracking on the cucumber surface. Some growers also add skin-brightening agents to the flower-dipping agent to increase the glossiness of the fruit skin, which also makes the skin more sensitive to temperature and humidity; when adverse weather occurs, the probability of cucumber skin cracking increases.

3. Improper ventilation

Cucumber skin is relatively thin. During ventilation, because the ventilation volume is too large, moisture changes drastically, causing cell aging and necrosis, thereby causing skin cracking.

2. Control methods

1. Pay attention to temperature and humidity

When humidity in the greenhouse is high and the weather is clear, you can first open a small vent for about 15-20 minutes about one hour after the greenhouse covering is pulled back, to reduce humidity inside the greenhouse, then gradually increase the ventilation volume. Remember to ventilate above 30 degrees C to avoid a large temperature difference.

2. Reasonably prepare the flower-dipping agentBecause winter temperatures are relatively low, the concentration of the flower-dipping agent should be appropriately increased. Before dipping flowers, a small-area trial should be carried out before wider use, but at the same time, excessive concentration can also cause skin cracking. When skin cracking occurs due to excessively high concentration, you can spray a 6000-fold solution of Aiduoshou to alleviate it.

3. Rational use of chemicals

To control diseases, use the right chemical for the right disease. Generally, 2-3 single agents mixed together are enough; there is no need to add too many types of chemicals. After temperatures drop, smoke fumigation methods can be chosen, such as chlorothalonil smoke agents, procymidone smoke agents, etc. This can also control diseases very well. In addition, when spraying, it is best to choose a sunny afternoon, and after rainy days, appropriately wait 2-3 more days before spraying.

4. Boron fertilizer

For cucumber skin cracking caused by deficiency of boron and calcium, foliar fertilizer can be sprayed comprehensively to alleviate deficiency symptoms. An appropriate amount of iron, calcium, and other foliar fertilizers can be added to the flower-dipping agent, which can improve cucumber resistance and quality.

  The above is an introduction to the causes of cucumber skin cracking and control methods. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.