Bioscience Methods 2026, Vol.17, No.1, 57-66 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 59 It should be noted that the growth of cucumbers does not stop quickly. It will continuously produce vines, flowers, and fruits. The final yield depends on how many cucumbers a plant can produce and how well the cucumbers grow. More leaves and better growth mean that the nutrient supply can keep up, and a strong root system means stable water and fertilizer absorption. Considering that cucumber roots are shallow, growth is fast, and the harvest period is long, if not adjusted through pruning and controlling the number of remaining cucumbers, it is very easy to cause imbalance in growth, affecting the continuous fruiting and stable yield in the later stage. 2.2 Effects of environmental factors (temperature, light, water) on yield Many growers will find that before they can even discuss management, the environmental conditions have already created a significant difference in yields. Cucumbers prefer a warmer environment, with optimal growth occurring when the temperature is between 25–30°C during the day and close to 16°C at night. Once the temperature drops below 12°C, growth slows down, and in severe cases, they may even be damaged by frost. However, too high a temperature is also not suitable; exceeding 35°C can lead to abnormal flowering and fruit drop (Zhang et al., 2022; Wang et al., 2025). Light is often overlooked. Insufficient sunlight duration and insufficient photosynthesis can affect flowering and fruit setting. Generally, 8–10 hours of sunlight per day is more appropriate. In terms of water, there are also specific requirements. Cucumbers have a high water requirement but are afraid of waterlogging. If the soil is too dry, young cucumbers cannot grow well. Waterlogging can easily damage the roots and cause diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and pay attention to ventilation to prevent excessive humidity from affecting yield. 2.3 Relationship between soil physical and chemical properties and root development Most of the time, the growth of cucumbers depends on the "conditions" beneath the ground. If the soil layer is deep and loose, with sufficient nutrients and smooth drainage, the plants tend to have more vitality. Especially in neutral or slightly alkaline soil, the roots grow deeper and there are more lateral roots, making it easier for them to absorb water and nutrients. If the soil is compacted and has poor fertility, the root system cannot expand, and the above-ground part cannot grow vigorously. The yield will also be difficult to improve. In facility cultivation, there is another common problem - continuous cropping over the years. Over time, it is prone to accumulate salts, become acidic, and have more pathogens. In mild cases, the growth will weaken; in severe cases, even seedlings may die. Therefore, to achieve stable and high yields, one cannot only focus on the above-ground management; efforts must also be made to improve the soil by increasing organic fertilizer application, rotating crops, or necessary soil treatment, to first cultivate a good root environment (Zhou et al., 2018; Li et al., 2020). 3 Breeding of High-yield and Drought-resistant Cucumber Varieties and Seed Treatment Techniques 3.1 Progress in selecting new high-yield and drought-resistant cucumber varieties In actual production, many people start by focusing on management, but eventually they will realize that the choice of variety is crucial. In recent years, breeding units across various regions have continuously introduced new varieties. Some focus more on high yield, while others have obvious advantages in disease resistance and stress tolerance. For instance, the "Jingyan" series developed by the Vegetable Research Institute of Beijing Academy of Agricultural Sciences has dozens of varieties, maintaining stable yields while having reliable disease resistance; in regions with high pressure from southern blight disease, such as the "Yueshou 3" variety selected by the Agricultural Science Institute of Guangdong, it can still ensure harvest under adverse conditions. After introducing methods such as molecular markers during the breeding process, the selection efficiency has significantly improved. Coupled with the promotion of all-female and parthenocarpy types, more nutrients are used for fruiting, resulting in an increase in the number of fruits (Pan et al., 2017; Li et al., 2019). Overall, the continuous update of varieties has laid a foundation for achieving high yields of cucumbers. 3.2 Application of hybrid advantage in high-yield cucumber breeding In actual production, many people start by focusing on management, but eventually they will realize that the choice of variety is crucial. In recent years, breeding units across various regions have continuously introduced new varieties. Some focus more on high yield, while others have obvious advantages in disease resistance and
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