gherkin crop manual for vertical outdoor cultivation
DESCRIPTION
This Rijk Zwaan step-by-step manual helps you to grow a good gherkin cropTRANSCRIPT
Vertical outdoor cultivation
min. 2mm Ø
Soil requirements and preparationGherkins can grow in various types of soil but they prefer light, humus-rich, well-drained soil. The gherkin is extremely sensitive to soil salinity, low temperature and slack water. It is therefore recommended to prepare a ridge (40-50cm wide and 15-20cm high). If the soil has weak water permeability then it is advisable to fill the ridge with 15-20cm of well-rotted compost or organic manure and cover it with 10cm of soil. Slow-release fertiliser and a fumigant must be incorporated in the top layer. The next step is to lay the irrigation tubes and, if they are laid on the top of the ridge, fix them to the poles. The black mulch film should be laid on the ridge two to four weeks before sowing/transplanting
and it should be perforated directly before sowing/transplanting.
Support system Vertical gherkin production requires a special support
system, of which the main components are:
Vertical gherkin cultivation is the best way of producing fine-grade, high-value pickles. The European processing industry needs a stable, year-round supply of fresh gherkin in small calibres. The vertical production of gherkins is traditionally spread across Central/Eastern Europe in countries such as Hungary, Serbia, Romania, etc. These regions are the main suppliers of smaller- sized, fresh gherkins to the European processing industry. Vertical gherkin production started in the mid-1980s. The launch of black mulch and drip irrigation along with the switch to parthenocarpic varieties caused a rapid increase in yield in the 1990s. Furthermore, the implementation of agri-cultural fleece and the change from direct sowing to seedlings in the early 2000s contributed to a 3-week-longer harvesting season.
1.8m
0.7m
Hardwood poles
Galvanised wires
Special plastic nets
grid 24 x 24 mm
1.8m wide
min. 8cm Ø
The support system should last for more than 10 years. To maximise the useful life of the support system, please note:• The ends of the poles have to be treated against rot• Poles must be dug approx. 70cm deep into the
ground • The distance between the poles must be 4.0m• The direction of the rows must be parallel with the
main wind• The distance between the rows must be between
1.5m and 2.5m• Gherkins thrive in high humidity. Therefore wind-
protection should be provided, e.g. by sowing a few rows surrounded by corn.
SowingIn the Balkan countries, the direct sowing (without fleece) is started on 10 May. The soil is usually prepared in April, but the holes are not punched into the black
mulch film until directly before sowing. Sowing is performed manually with 1 seed per hole to a depth of 2cm. Experience has shown that the percentage of usable plants is between 85-90%. To achieve the optimum number of plants per hectare, any missing
plants are replaced by seedlings 14 days after sowing.
TransplantingA uniform crop is a precondition for profitable and intensive vertical cultivation, and that cannot be obtained through direct sowing due to variables such as depth of sowing, soil-borne pests, changeable weather, etc. The ideal gherkin seedling is 10-14 days old, has a
2 to 3cm-long stem, 2 cotyledons (not true leaf) and is well-rooted. To raise the plants, 4cm peat cubes or
plastic trays with 30-50cm3 cells are sufficient. Since gherkin plants are sensitive to deep planting, the top of the substrate should not be covered by soil. Moisture-rich soil conditions are necessary for a quick start. If the plants are close to the irrigation tube, poor root devel-opment and weak activity can occur in the summer months. The optimum distance between the irrigation tube and the plants is 8-10cm.
Distance between the plantsMain-stem varieties 18-20cm Non-main-stem varieties 20-25cm
Fleece coveringDue to the changeable weather conditions in May, many
farmers use fleece covering in gherkin production. Fleece not only provides protection against the wind
and cold, but also protects the plants from insects and birds. Applying fleece allows transplanting to occur approx. 2 weeks earlier, at the end of April. Usage of fleece with young plants enables harvest to occur 3-4 weeks earlier and creates a longer harvesting season
in comparison with traditional direct sowing.
Technical details:
• A plastic wire should be fixed between the wooden poles at a height of approx: 70-80cm above the ridge.
• Fleece width: 1.8-2.2m. Weight: min. 17g/m2.• Fleece should be cut on one side at the poles and
stapled after laying. The lower part of the fleece should be fixed next to the ridge by 5-7cm of soil.
• When the gherkin plants have reached the 6 to 7 true-leaf stage, the fleece tent should be removed in the late afternoon.
4.0m 4.0m 4.0m
0.7mtreat against rot
*In the case of ‘main stem’ varieties (Trilogy RZ, Majestosa
RZ, Dirigent RZ, Kybria RZ, Chaikovskiy RZ and Motiva RZ)
the laterals should not be cut after the third or fourth leaf
but should instead be left to grow freely.
35-40cmUp to 35-40cmRemove all small fruits and side shoots leaving only the leaves remaining on the plant.
55-60cm40-60cmThe fruits may remain on the plant but the developing laterals must be removed.
80-90cm60cm or moreThe laterals must be cut off only after the second leaf.
110-120cm80-90cm or moreRemove all small fruits and side shoots leaving only the leaves remaining on the plant.
Above 110-120cm 200cmWhen the main stem has grown approximately 50cm above the supporting wire the stem should be bent downwards carefully (avoid a cracking of the stem) so that the head can continue growing downwards.
When main stem has reached 50cm higher than the top of the net, it should be bent over the wire (taking care not to crack the stem) so that it grows downwards.
Weed controlHoles in the mulch film should be covered by soil 7-10 days after transplanting or removal of the fleece to reduce the germination of weeds. Weeds should be kept under mechanical control (mowing) between the ridges.
Pruning of the Rijk Zwaan gherkin varieties (only on wire)The purpose of pruning is to build up a strong main stem with a good side shoot system in order to achieve high yields. Overcharging the plant in the early growth phase, i.e. the shoots and fruits are not removed until the plant has reached the necessary height, produces a better early harvest although a lower total yield from the whole season.
Gherkin innovations: ‘main stem’ varietiesGherkin is traditionally a labour-intensive vegetable to
produce, with manual labour accounting for roughly 50% of the total production cost. This percentage is not only high but is also increasing rapidly, and in many cases the availability of manual workers is limited. In response to this, Rijk Zwaan has developed a range of gherkin hybrids
which are less labour-intensive than standard varieties. Their main stem has a reasonably good vigour but the laterals develop more weakly and cease growing after the
third or fourth leaves, resulting in 15-20% lower labour costs than standard varieties. Additionally they develop a nice, open plant architecture, which not only makes it easier to find the fruits but also improves the spraying efficiency
Technical pruning method
70-80cm
5-7cm
fleece cover
FertigationThe highly productive Rijk Zwaan hybrids need a continuous supplement comprising the right quantity of water and fertiliser with the optimum balance of elements. Generally speaking, 1,000 litres of irrigation water should contain 1.0-1.2kg of fertiliser comprising the ideal percentages of nutrients in line with the plant’s growth period. There are several types/brands of fertiliser which are suitable for use in gherkin production; the most important factor is the correct ratio of nutrients.
This recommendation is based on healthy, pro-rate well-developed 3-8cm grades intended for the main harvest, in favourable climate conditions.
• Ca supplement − normally 7kg calcium nitrate (5,000 plants) / week − from the third week.
• The above fertigation programme assumes usage of 15kg of organic manure per running metre (rm) or 0.1kg basic fertiliser (20-10-30)/rm.
Important!The above dosages and nutrient ratios are recommendations only, based on average conditions. According to the growth and health of the plant, yields, and soil and climate conditions, it may be necessary to use different amounts and proportions during the fertigation.
Added value of Rijk Zwaan hybrids Variety name Trait Added Value
Smooth Spined L/D Main
stem
type
Multi-
fruit
Strong
against
downy
mildew
Strong
against
bacte-
rioses
Strong
against
CMV
Strong
against
ZYMV
High
regen-
eration
Recommended size
3-6 cm 6-9 cm 9-12 cm
Dirigent RZ x 3.1 + + ++ ++
Majestosa RZ x 3.2 + + + ++ ++
Trilogy RZ x 3.2 + + + + +++ ++ ++
Promissa RZ x 3.0 + + + + ++ +++ +
Nota RZ (RZ 12-43) x 3.1 + + + + + ++ ++ ++
Kybria RZ x 3.1 + + + + + +++ ++ +
Chaikovskiy RZ x 3.3 + + + + + ++ ++
Sound RZ x 3.0 + + + + + ++ +++ +
Motiva RZ x 3.0 + +++ ++ +
Karaoke RZ x 3.1 + + + ++ ++
Step-by-step guide to fertigation
Weeks after planting N: P2O5: K2O Solution cc. % Litres/day/plant
1st week 1:3:1 0.2 0.2L every 3rd day
2nd week 1:0.25:1.2 0.12 0.4
3rd –4th week 1:0.25:1 0.12 0.6
5th-6th week 1.4:0.18:1 0.15 0.9
7th –8th week 1.6:0.15:1 0.15 1.2
9th-12th week 1.2:0.1:1 0.12 1.0
From 13th week until end 1:0.1:1 0.12 0.7
Our gherkin specialists
Rijk Zwaan’s descriptions, illustrations, growing advices and any other information in whatever form for example on expiry, sowing, planting and harvesting dates are based as precisely as possible on experiences in trials and in practice. However, Rijk Zwaan does not accept in any case liability for damages resulting from the use of such descriptions, illustrations, growing advices and information. The buyer/user itself is responsible for proper storage of the seeds and will be deemed to determine whether the products and growing advices are suitable to be used for the intended cultivations and under the local conditions. Inclusion of a variety in this edition does not automatically imply that such a variety is available for purposes of exploitation; it might be available for testing only. For more information, please contact Rijk Zwaan (www.rijkzwaan.com). The pictures in this edition show the types to which the varieties as mentioned belong and not all varieties as such. These pictures do not constitute any warrranty, expressly or implied, of crop performance.
Crop coordinator international Gerald [email protected]
Specialists according to culture method
Vertical outdoor temperate Hungary Laszlo Ragyak [email protected]
Vertical outdoor subtropicalIndiaPrasanna D.G. [email protected]
Vertical indoorUkraineAndriy Galagurja [email protected]
Flat manualGermany, Austria, Czech Republic Gerald Krischke [email protected]
Flat mechanical USA, CanadaGeorg Pape [email protected]
Further gherkin specialists according to country
Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia Djurdje Spasojevic [email protected]
Brazil Marcelo Sartori [email protected]
Central AsiaNasredin [email protected]
Poland and the Baltic StatesMarcin Pawlak [email protected]
Romania George Puican [email protected]
RussiaGennady Sudenko [email protected]
TurkeyErkut Baç [email protected]
UkraineStanislav Ovcharyk [email protected]
VietnamGerard Hulisz [email protected]
Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel B.V.
P.O.Box 40 | 2678 ZG De Lier | The Netherlands | T +31 174 532 300 | [email protected] | www.rijkzwaan.com