EFFECT OF POLYETHYLENE COLOUR ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVUS) UNDER GREENHOUSES DURING AUTUMN SEASON

          The current studies were conducted at EL-Dokki Protected Cultivation site, Giza Governorate, during Autumn 1997 and 1998 seasons in order to investigate the growth and production of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. c.v. Basandra F1 hybrid) under different plastic cover colours. Seeds were sown on the first of September 1997 & 1998 and seedlings were transplanted in the 10^th of September 1997 & 1998, respectively. Four plastic colours were applied, namely, red, blue, violet, yellow-green plastic colour as control. In addition, three colours of plastic mulch plastic colour (black, transparent and silver) were applied under each house, besides bare soil as control. Significant differences among different treatments were observed. The best results were obtained under the control plastic, which had the highest total fruit weight total leaf area as well as light intensity, followed by the red, blue, and finally violet plastic colour. The highest length of plant, air temperature, humidity and soil temperature, were found in the red plastic colour, followed by control then blue and finally the violet plastic cover.

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