Sebrina Shahniza, S.*, Sabrina, A. R. and Masnira, M. Y.
Abstract
Urban agriculture plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable food production within densely populated regions, where limited space and environmental constraints challenge optimal plant growth and yield. To address this, an experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Centre, MARDI. The study aimed to investigate the effect of canopytecture design (square and circular) and plant density (4, 5 and 6 plants per pot) on the vegetative, physiological, reproductive, and yield aspects of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under a rainshelter. The experiment, conducted from March 20 to May 25, 2023, used a split-plot randomised complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that the circular×6 treatment resulted in the highest plant height, while circular×4 had the maximum stem diameter, chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The square×6 treatment led to the shortest time to first flowering, earliest fruiting and first harvesting and recorded the highest number of male and female flowers. Plant density was the sole factor influencing yield, with 6 plant per pot producing fruits comparable in weight, length and diameter to those from 4 and 5 plants. However, 6 plants resulted in the highest number of fruits and the heaviest fruit weight per plant and per pot. In summary, the combination of 6 plant per pot and a square canopy architecture design had the most significant positive impact on the growth, physiology, reproduction and yield of cucumber.
Keywords: canopy architecture, canopytecture, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), plant density, rainshelter