Effect of Plant Spacing and Pruning on the Growth and Yield of Cucumber (Cucumis sativusL.)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of planting distance and main stem pruning, as well as their interaction, on the growth and yield of cucumber plants. The research was conducted in Mattampapole Village, Mallawa District, Maros Regency, from April to June 2025. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) with a two-factor factorial scheme. The first factor was planting distance, consisting of 20 × 60 cm, 30 × 60 cm, and 40 × 60 cm. The second factor was pruning treatment, including no pruning and pruning by retaining 8, 10, and 12 nodes on the main stem. A total of 12 treatment combinations were obtained and replicated three times, resulting in 36 experimental units. The results showed that the 40 × 60 cm planting distance produced the highest number of leaves (28.33 leaves). In contrast, the 30 × 60 cm planting distance resulted in the highest number of productive branches (5.64 branches) and the greatest fruit weight, reaching 1,027.33 g per plant or equivalent to 10.27 t ha⁻¹. Pruning by retaining 10 nodes on the main stem produced the highest number of leaves (29.33 leaves). An interaction was observed between the 30 × 60 cm planting distance and pruning at the eighth node, which resulted in the highest fruit weight.