Bioscience Methods 2026, Vol.17, No.1, 57-66 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 61 4.3 Film mulching, substrate cultivation and facility cultivation techniques In many cases, the inability to increase production is not due to poor management, but rather to the inappropriate choice of cultivation methods. In open-field conditions, mulching with plastic film is widely used. When the ridge surface is covered, the temperature and moisture are relatively stable, and there are fewer weeds, allowing the seedlings to grow faster. The effect is particularly noticeable when spring cultivation is carried out earlier. When it comes to facilities, the situation is different. In many places, substrate soilless cultivation is being used, such as rock wool and coconut coir combined with nutrient solutions. This not only avoids diseases caused by continuous cropping but also makes it convenient to precisely control water and fertilizer, allowing the plants to grow more evenly. In addition, greenhouses and sheds can regulate temperature and light, enabling cucumbers to be produced out of season and some even harvested throughout the year. The combination of multiple methods often breaks the limitations of natural conditions and increases the yield per unit area (Lamont et al., 2005; Savvas et al., 2018). 5 Green Pest and Disease Control and High-yield Stable-yield Technology 5.1 Occurrence patterns of main pests and diseases in cucumber Throughout the entire growth process of cucumbers, pests and diseases are almost inevitable issues, and they occur rapidly and in various forms. If the seedlings are exposed to low temperatures and high humidity during the seedling stage, sudden blight and damping-off diseases are likely to occur in concentrated form, and in severe cases, the seedlings will collapse in large numbers. As the plants grow, new problems arise. Downy mildew is most likely to break out when the humidity is high, the temperature is low, or there is continuous rainy weather. The leaf function is quickly affected; powdery mildew is more common in the middle and later stages, especially in situations with poor ventilation and dense growth. With prolonged consecutive cropping, soil-borne diseases such as wilt disease will gradually worsen. Once the roots are infected, the plants will quickly wilt. In terms of pests, in greenhouses and warm seasons, aphids and mealybugs reproduce rapidly and can also carry viruses. In dry and hot conditions, the number of thrips and red spiders increases significantly. The striped tent caterpillar often feeds at night. Only by understanding the favorable environments and periods for the occurrence of these pests and diseases, and taking preventive measures in advance, can the losses be reduced and the yield be guaranteed (Lebeda et al., 2011; Savory et al., 2011). 5.2 Biological control and physical control technologies In actual production, if one wants to keep pests and diseases under control without using too much pesticide, a single method alone is often not sufficient. In many cases, choosing the right variety or using grafted healthy seedlings from the very beginning has already significantly reduced risks. In greenhouse management, some people start from the details, installing insect-proof nets at ventilation openings and entrances, which significantly reduces the chances of pests entering the greenhouse. The yellow and blue boards commonly hung in the fields, although simple to look at, can continuously reduce the numbers of aphids, mealybugs, and thrips, and when combined with insect traps at night, they also help control nocturnal moth pests. In addition, biological control is also increasingly used. By releasing ladybugs, lacewings, or parasitic wasps, it can maintain long-term control of the pest population density. Combined with biological organic fertilizers and biological pesticides, it is also effective against soil-borne diseases. The use of multiple measures in combination can reduce pesticide usage while ensuring stable cucumber yields (Bale et al., 2008; van Lenteren et al., 2018). 5.3 Chemical control reduction and safe drug use strategies In cucumber cultivation, many growers are well aware that pesticides are not the preferred method; rather, they are more like a last resort. If pesticides are used too frequently, not only will there be residue, but pests will also develop resistance, and the ecological balance in the field will be affected. Therefore, in high-yield cultivation, it is often emphasized that pesticides should be used sparingly if possible. Only when the disease and pest problems become severe and the previous measures are ineffective, will chemical control be considered. At this time, low-toxicity and short-lasting pesticides should be selected and used according to the recommended concentration and safe interval period. When applying pesticides, the focus areas are targeted, and the entire field is not sprayed. At the same time, different pesticides should be rotated. For example, when controlling bacterial spot disease, streptomycin and copper-containing preparations can be alternated. By controlling the dosage and timing well,
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