Evaluation of the Cucumis sativus yield by direct seeding versus transplanting in warm tropical regions, in open field and greenhouse

The intensive production of cucumber is associated, among other techniques, with transplanting. The aim of this study was to compare the crop response of Cucumis sativus 'Diamante' depending on the planting method used. A split plot design was established: direct seeding or transplanting in a greenhouse and open field in order to evaluate the yield production. The trial was carried out in Vinces Los Ríos (Ecuador). The transplant was performed after 11 days when the seedling had 3 true leaves. In the case of direct seeding, one seed per hole was deposited and the drip irrigation was conducted with emitters of 2 L h^-1. A daily irrigation lasting for 30 min was applied. The parameters evaluated were the following: percentage of germination, plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), number of leaves, width (cm) and length of the leaves (cm), number of flowers, number of fruits per plant, fruit diameter (cm) and crop yield (kg m^-2). The percentage of seedling-germination (99%) was influenced neither by the culture facility nor by the planting method. Nevertheless, the most productive treatment was performed in the greenhouse and, in the same way as with the morphological and productive parameters, the planting method did not affect the final yield. Given these results, greenhouse cultivation is more suitable for the cultivation of cucumber by direct seeding since it reduces the costs of implementation.