Simulation of dry matter partitioning and yield prediction in greenhouse cucumber

A simulation model for dry matter partitioning and yield prediction in greenhouse cucumber(Cucumis sativus) was developed based on the relationships between partitioning index and harvest index and the accumulated product of thermal effectiveness and photosynthetically active radiation(TEP). Experimental data of different cultivars and substrates were used to validate the model. The results showed that the coefficients of determination R² between the predicted and the measured value based on the 1∶1 line were 0.98, 0.73, 0.83, 0.92, 0.94, respectively, for shoot dry weight, root dry weight, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight and fruit dry weight. The root mean squared error(RMSE) between the predicted and the measured value was 232, 6.8, 157.6, 173.9, 196.8 kg/hm², respectively, for shoot dry weight, root dry weight, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, fruit dry weight. The R² and RMSE between the predicted and the measured yield based on the 1∶1 line were 0.80 and 7526.4 kg/hm², respectively. The model developed in this study can give satisfactory prediction of dry matter partitioning and yield of greenhouse cucumber cultivated in different substrates, hence can be used for the optimization of climate control and crop management for greenhouse cucumber production.