Cucumber yield when grown in a winter greenhouse on low-volume hydroponics at different lighting levels

In 2020-2021, at two production sites in the villages of Druzhino (LLC TPC “Agrocultureˮ - light culture technology) and Beregovaya (LLC “Sibagrotradeˮ - natural lighting) in greenhouses of the fourth generation, studies were conducted with a parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumber Meva F1. The purpose of the research is to identify the features of the formation of cucumber productivity when grown in a winter greenhouse on low-volume hydroponics using two technologies: natural lighting and light culture. The hybrid with both technologies was planted in greenhouses on an area of 2 hectares, with a planting density of 2.4 plants/m2. The culture was carried out in one stem. During the research period, one winter-spring turnover was carried out in both greenhouses. It has been established that the conditions of greenhouse illumination have a significant impact on the growth, development and formation of productivity of cucumber plants. Light culture is an intensive cultivation technology in which cucumber plants enter fruiting faster. The first harvest of cucumber fruits occurs after 23 days, after planting seedlings in the greenhouse, whereas in natural light it is 9 days later. The harvest of cucumber fruits per turnover when growing it in a greenhouse on low-volume hydroponics in natural light is 18.9 kg/m2, according to light culture technology - 31.7 kg/m2, or 67.7% more, with an increased yield of standard products (95.4%) and the quality of fruits that meet the requirements of the standard. At the same time, net income and profitability of production increases from 57.7% with natural light to 73.6% with light culture technology. The use of light culture technology, due to the earlier elimination of cucumber plants (for 39 days), allows for high-quality preparation of the greenhouse for growing subsequent vegetable crops.