What Causes Cucumber Stems to Split? Detailed Explanation of Prevention and Control Methods
During cultivation, cucumbers can develop split stems. Split stems give pathogens an opportunity to invade, and they also affect the cucumber's normal transport function. In severe cases, they can cause the plant to dry up and die, making the damage extremely serious. Cucumber stem splitting is actually a physiological disorder, so what causes it? Let's take a look at the detailed explanation below.
1. High temperature
In summer, the average temperature is high, especially the nighttime temperature, and the temperature difference between day and night is relatively small. This causes many vegetables to grow extremely quickly, but they become thin and weak with longer internodes. Combined with insufficient water supply, this leads to the phenomenon of cucumber stems splitting.
Prevention and control methods: During high-temperature periods, temperature control measures must be well implemented, and the temperature difference between day and night should be widened as much as possible. When daytime temperatures are too high, the temperature inside the greenhouse can be lowered by shading and spraying water mist. At night, ventilation should be strengthened to lower the greenhouse temperature as quickly as possible, narrow the temperature difference, and cultivate strong seedlings.
2. Soil temperature too high
In addition to high-temperature weather, soil temperature is also one of the causes of cucumber stem splitting. Excessive soil temperature affects root development, and in severe cases hinders the roots' absorption of water and nutrients. Lack of water and nutrients can cause the cellular tissues of the stems to shrink, resulting in splitting.
Prevention and control methods: Similarly, cooling measures should be well implemented during high temperatures. Shade nets can be set up or cooling agents sprayed to properly adjust the soil temperature so that root growth is in a suitable environment.
3. Boron deficiency
Cucumber stem splitting may also be related to boron deficiency. Generally speaking, boron deficiency in plants leads to poor flower bud differentiation, wrinkled, twisted, brittle and easily broken leaves, brittle, thickened and hardened stems and leaves, and deformed flowers and fruits. Therefore, when boron deficiency is severe, it can lead to stem splitting, accompanied by corkification and water-soaked necrotic spots.
Prevention and control methods: Borax at 0.5-1 kg per mu can be mixed into base fertilizer or applied with water, or foliar fertilizer can be sprayed during the growing period. In addition, the application of nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer should be controlled to avoid affecting the roots' absorption of boron.
The above is an introduction to the causes of cucumber stem splitting and prevention and control methods. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.