A 5-yr field experiment was conducted in southern Quebec to investigate yield, gross revenue and quality of pickling cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Fancipak’) in response to sprinkler irrigation. In addition, supplemental nitrogen treatments (40 kg ha-1 foliar and granular) following application of 80 kg ha-1 N preplant, as well as non-fertilized and over-fertilized controls (80 kg ha-1 N preplant, 40 kg ha-1 N granular and 60 kg ha-1 N slow-release) were compared in a 2-yr trial under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. During 1997 to 2000, rainfall was close to or above normal and irrigation did not increase marketable yields. In 1999 and 2000, irrigation reduced early marketable yields relative to non-irrigated treatments. In 2000, a relatively cool year with average rainfall, there was a positive yield response to supplemental N in the non-irrigated plots, but not in the irrigated plots. In 2001, a very hot and dry season, irrigation increased early yield by 66%, marketable yield by 160% and gross revenue by 164% compared with non-irrigated treatments. Non-irrigated treatments did not respond to supplemental N, but supplementing the irrigated treatments with 40 kg ha-1 of N increased marketable yields by 22%, generating 18% additional revenues. Applying N in either a foliar or granular form gave similar results. Overall, under a humid climate, irrigation only had a positive impact on gross crop revenue for pickling cucumbers in 1 out of 5 yr. Key words: Cucumis sativus, pickle, overhead irrigation, sprinkler, foliar nitrogen, granular nitrogen, slow release.
Genetic inheritance analysis of melon aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) resistance in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)