Cucumber

MATURITY & QUALITY

Maturity Indices

Cucumbers are harvested at a range of developmental stages. Depending on cultivar and temperature, the time from flowering to harvest may be 55 to 60 days. Generally fruit are harvested at a slightly immature stage, near full size but before seeds fully enlarge and harden. Firmness and external glossiness are also indicators of a pre-maturity condition. At proper harvest maturity, a jellylike material has begun to form in the seed cavity.

Quality Indices

Table or slicing cucumber quality is primarily based on uniform shape, firmness and a dark green skin color. Additional quality indices are size, freedom from growth or handling defects, freedom from decay, and an absence of yellowing.

U.S. grades are Fancy, Extra 1, No. 1, No. 1 Small, No. 1 Large and No. 2.

Industry grades and specifications follow the packing conventions SuperSelect, Select, Small Super, Small, Large, and Plain. These terms have no enforceable contractual value.

TEMPERATURE & CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE (CA)

Optimum Temperature and Relative Humidity

10 – 12.5°C (50 – 55°F); 95% R.H.

Storage of cucumber is generally less than 14 days as visual and sensory quality deteriorate rapidly. Shriveling, yellowing, and decay are likely to increase following storage beyond two weeks, especially after removal to typical retail conditions. Short term storage or transit temperatures below this range (such as 7.2°C/45°F) are commonly used but will result in chilling injury after 2-3 days.

Chilling Injury

Cucumbers are chilling sensitive at temperatures below 10°C (50°F) if held for more than a day to 3 days depending on temperature and cultivar. Consequences of chilling injury are water-soaked areas, pitting and accelerated decay. Chilling injury is cumulative and may be initiated in the field prior to harvest. Cucumber varieties vary considerably in their susceptibility to chilling injury.

Rates of Respiration

Respiration varies widely above 10°C due to different stages of maturity. Less mature cucumbers have higher respiration rates. To calculate heat production, multiply ml CO₂/kg·hr by 440 to get BTU/ton/day or by 122 to get kcal/metric ton /day.

Rates of Ethylene Production

0.1 – 1.0µl / kg·hr at 20°C(68°F)

Responses to Ethylene

Cucumbers are highly sensitive to exogenous ethylene. Accelerated yellowing and decay will result from low levels (1-5ppm) of ethylene during distribution and short-term storage. Do not mix commodities such as bananas, melons and tomatoes with cucumber.

Responses to Controlled Atmospheres (CA)
Controlled or modified atmosphere storage or shipping offer moderate to little benefit to cucumber quality maintainence. Low O₂ levels (3-5%) delay yellowing and the onset of decay by a few days. Cucumber tolerates elevated CO₂ up (CA) to 10% but storage life is not extended beyond the benefit of reduced levels of O₂.