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Imprint
Development of strategies for growing to safe and expand local cultivation of biologically gherkins
Project
Project code: 2806OE150
Contract period: 15.04.2007
- 28.02.2010
Budget: 72,825 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
The demand for biologically produced gherkins has constantly been increasing during the last years. However, this demand cannot be met with home produced gherkins only. Producers are facing serious problems due to infestation with Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Only three weeks after the first infestation crops have to be finished. The project 06OE150 studied the following possible solutions:
- prolongation of cultivation period or harvest period by planting instead of sowing
- use of resistant varieties
- use of new plant strengthening preparations
For the period of three years, experiments were carried out in Oberbayern, Franken and Brandenburg. The results of the three different strategies were sobering. A comparison of the planting procedure and the sowing procedure generally showed better results for the planting, but the adavantages were diminuished by the higher costs involved. The economical threshold lies at an additional yield of 50 dt/ha. Unpredictable weather conditions also complicate this method. With regards to varieties, Diamant, NUN 5053 und NUN 5063, declared as resistant, proved to be healthy. But their performance considering economic profit is not satisfactory. Gherkins of these varieties tend to be of the larger type and are sold at lower prices. A further problem is caused by the fact that the yield at the single dates of harvest after infestation with Pseudoperonospora cubensis was generally less than 10 dt/ha. This result is - economically speaking - not profitable. At most, the regular supply of customers can be seen as an argument for the cultivation of resistant types. The use of plant strengthening preparations also proved to be of no effect. Three substances, developed by the JKI Darmstadt (sage, liquorice und brevibacillus), as well as ElotVis and ViCare were used. Despite the timely application before infestation, and repeated application (6-7 times) in weekly turns, a positive impact on the health of the plants could not be observed. All in all the experiments show that there is currently no convincing solution to control the problems caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Crop Protection
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
