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Different doses of ethephon enhanced the flowering and fruit yield

component of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Raymond N. Santos a , Israel M. Guanzon b,*
a
Student, Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture Systems and Technology, Pampanga State Agricultural University, PAC Magalang, Pampanga 2011,
Philippines
b
Faculty, Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture Systems and Technology, Pampanga State Agricultural University, PAC Magalang, Pampanga 2011,
Philippines

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: A field trial was conducted from January to March 2024 in Telapayong, Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines, to
Cucumis sativus L. ethephon elucidate the potential effect of ethephon on cucumber floral and fruit yield component. The study used a single-
Ethylene factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications and five treatments: negative control
Fruit yield
(water), the recommended rate of fertilizer (RRF), and three different ethephon doses (225, 300, and 375 ppm).
Plant growth regulator
The study concludes that applying different concentrations ethephon increased cucumber yield parameters,
such as fruit length, fruit diameter, total fruit yield, days to flowering, and the number of male and female
flowers on each plant. Specifically, the application of 300 ppm ethephon was comparable to 225 ppm in terms of
days to 50 % flowering, with an average of 21.75 days. Moreover, 300 ppm significantly improved plant pa­
rameters, including the number of female flowers (8.18), fruit per plant (8.96), fruit length (23.55), and fruit
diameter (17.66). Consequently, the 300 ppm concentration increased the yield by an average of 15.22 ton⋅ha− 1
or at least 61.23 %, followed by 225 and 375 ppm with an average of 13.99 ton⋅ha− 1 and 14.48 ton⋅ha− 1,
representing increases of 48.20 % and 53.39 %, respectively. Therefore, utilization of plant growth regulators
such as ethephon shows promising results in enhancing the yield of cucumbers.

1. Introduction PGRs that are known to modify sex expression is ethephon, an agent that
releases ethylene, a plant hormone that promotes feminization (fe­
The cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a cash crop belonging to the maleness), enhances fruit quality, and advances crop performance in
Cucurbitaceae family. Global cucumber production has increased various cucurbits species (Kusumiyati et al., 2022; Gosai et al., 2020;
significantly in recent years, and now it is grown worldwide using fields Hossain et al., 2006).
or greenhouse culture (Gosai et al., 2020). However, maleness is a sig­ Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) is commercially available
nificant problem in cucumbers, reducing fruit yield. In some cases, and is a source of ethylene, commonly known for germination, bud in­
plants may not produce enough fruits due to an imbalance sex ratio, hibition and shoot elongation, coloration, flower induction, and senes­
wherein the male flowers are more dominant than female flowers, which cence (Carter and Pate, 2022). It is worth mentioning that ethephon
directly affects fruit yield since only female flowers develop into fruits modulates several plant processes through its release of ethylene,
(Ahmed et al., 2004). Furthermore, other issues, such as shape distor­ including pistil development, anthesis, and sex expression (Karakaya
tion, untimed maturity, fruit drop, late flowering, and early senescence, and Padem, 2011; Bhadoria et al., 2018; Seesangboon et al., 2018).
are interconnected to various factors, including genotype, plant nutri­ Generally, the exogenous application of ethephon (ethylene) at a precise
tion, and environmental factors (Adhikari et al., 2012; Singh and Singh, stage stimulates the synthesis of pistillate flowers while inhibiting floral
2015). Consequently, the abovementioned problems might be addressed primordia destined to be male flowers (Ye et al., 2020; Kamiab et al.,
through plant growth regulators (PGRs), which control growth, flow­ 2020; Singh et al., 2019). The crucial role of ethephon has been exten­
ering, and productivity when concentration is enough to stimulate plant sively documented in various studies. The previous survey by Sabri et al.
development from molecular to higher levels. Meanwhile, one of the (2021) and Al-Eidani and Al-Lami (2019) reported that ethephon

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: israel_guanzon@[Link] (I.M. Guanzon).

[Link]
Received 3 June 2024; Received in revised form 18 November 2024; Accepted 19 November 2024
Available online 21 November 2024
1658-077X/© 2024 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND
license ([Link]

Please cite this article as: Raymond N. Santos, Israel M. Guanzon, [Short title + Author Name - P&H title],
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R.N. Santos and I.M. Guanzon Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences xxx (xxxx) xxx

ranging from 250 to 300 ppm promotes female flowers. In addition, Mir harrowing with a depth of 30 cm, followed by lay-outing. Subsequently,
et al. (2019) highlight that foliar spray of ethephon at 300 ppm increases plots measuring 2.5 m x 4.0 m were constructed to achieve a plot size of
fruit number, fruit set, and fruit yield of cucumber. Further, Kusumiyati 10 m2, spaced 0.75 m apart. A structured arrangement of five rows was
et al. (2022) and Nurul Fajri et al. (2022) stated that low to optimum established within each plot, with eight plants per row, yielding 40
doses of ethephon (150 ppm to 250 ppm) reduce vegetative growth and plants per plot unit. A total of 20 plot units (four blocks with five
promote fruit diameter toward higher fruit yield in cucumber, respec­ treatments) in the experimental area were created and covered with
tively. However, concentrations ranging from 375-500 ppm show a silvery gray plastic mulch.
delay in the onset of flower in cucumber and lead to yield penalties,
while concentrations at 5000 ppm of ethephon can cause demerits such 2.3. Crop husbandry
as growth retardant and death of plants (Dhakal et al., 2019; Baral et al.,
2022). Synthesis of these studies suggests, ethephon at 150 to 375 ppm Seed sowing was started during early January, and cucumbers were
promote positive outcomes, with 300 ppm showing particularly safe and planted in the late afternoon through direct seeding at a distance of 75
superior effects on sex expression, feminization, and yield-related traits and 50 cm2; one seed was directly planted on each hill with a depth of ¾
in cucumber. inch and covered with a thin layer of soil, followed by watering.
Hence, the study aims to verify and investigate the effect of different Replanting was done after nine (9) days to replace the missing hills.
doses of ethephon (225, 300, and 375 ppm) on growth, sex flower ratio, After 14 days, a trellis with a height of 1.5 m was established to support
and yield attributes of cucumber under field conditions. the plant, and pruning was done by removing the lateral shoots when the
plant grows at least seven to eight leaves. The crop was watered every
2. Materials and methods four days from planting to vegetative stage. Therefore, drainage was
constructed, and a water pump was used to irrigate the crops when the
2.1. Field conditions, planting materials, treatments, and experimental reproductive stage started. Regular field inspection and phyto sanita­
design tion, such as weeding removal of infected plant parts, were made
throughout the study. Harvesting was started 34 days after sowing;
The cucumber (Mega C F1) prolific hybrid “oriental type” with a however, a total of seven harvests with an average interval of 3.5 days
duration of 36–40 maturity days, mottled green color, 20–22 cm in fruit every harvest were made due to unfavorable weather conditions during
length, and 4–5 cm fruit diameter with uniform fruits (East-West Seed, the growing period. Consequently, after the last harvests, plants started
2024) was used as a test crop. The study was conducted in Telapayong, to die due to extreme heat; thus, harvesting was limited to seven har­
Arayat (15◦ 11′01″ N 120◦ 39′47″ E) Pampanga, Philippines, from January vests for this variety.
to March 2024. The average monthly temperature in the area was
27.3 ◦ C, precipitation (1.01 in.), and relative humidity (75.31 %), which 2.4. Fertilizer application
was recorded throughout the study (DOST- PAGASA) as it shows in
Fig. 1. The study used the randomized complete block design (RCBD), All treatments except the negative control were fertilized based on
with four blocks and five treatments; these are the following: T1- the soil analysis results (100––30- 45 NPK). The first application of
Negative Control (No Fertilizer and Ethephon); T2- recommended rate of complete fertilizer (14–14–14), ammonium phosphate (16–20-0), and
fertilizer or RRF (100–30-45 NPK); T3- RRF + 225 ppm of ethephon; T4- ammonium sulfate (21–0–0) was applied between hills at a depth of 3
RRF + 300 ppm of ethephon; T5- RRF + 375 ppm of ethephon. in., with a calibration of 13.11 g, 3.05 g, and 8.32 g per plant, respec­
tively. Subsequently, when the plants started to produce fruit (27 days
2.2. Soil analysis, land preparation and plot layout after planting), a second and final application of 19.27 g of ammonium
sulfate and 3.05 g of muriate of potash (0–0-60) per plant was executed.
The soil nutrient composition of the area was determined for plant The application of fertilizer and calibration of fertilizer materials was
nutrient requirements. The experimental site has a soil pH of 6.8 purely based on the analysis result.
(slightly acidic), total nitrogen (N) of 0.11 %, phosphorous (P) of 24.37
ppm, and 22.1 cmol/kg of potassium (K) with a soil texture classified as
sandy loam. The area was thoroughly prepared through plowing and

Fig. 1. The average temperature and humidity in the experimental site during the study.

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R.N. Santos and I.M. Guanzon Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences xxx (xxxx) xxx

2.5. Ethephon application

Applying ethephon at the appropriate leaf stage 1–2 enhanced plant

development and improved the proportion of female flowers and fruit
quantity and quality (Pangeni et al., 2024). Ethephon was applied early
in the morning at a light cool temperature to minimize stress and with
different doses of 225, 300, and 375 ppm⋅L-1 of water. The first foliar
spray was done at the 4-leaf stage of the seedlings (10 DAP). Ten days
after the first application, the plants had reached at least eight (8) leaves;
the second application was executed through foliar spray.

2.6. Data collection

After treatment applications, ten sample plants were observed for

data collection, such as the number of days to induce flowers and the
number of male and female flowers collected based on the procedure
(Afifa Mir et al., 2019). The fruit number, diameter (cm), length (cm),
yield per sample area, and computed yield ton⋅ha− 1 were also collected
during harvesting.

2.7. Statistical treatment of data

Fig. 3. The difference in days required to induce male and female flowers
in cucumber.
The data were statistically analyzed using the Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA). The level of significance between the treatment mean was
treatment can prolong or delay induction days in both male and female
also determined using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). Data were
flowers.
processed using the Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research (STAR)
On the other hand, there were significant differences (p > 0.01) in
software.
the number of male and female flowers when the plant was sprayed with
ethephon (Table 1). The control group (negative and positive) induced
3. Results
the highest number of male flowers, with an average of 20.82. Conse­
quently, there was a decrease in male flowers by 4.42 % for both 225
3.1. Days to flowering and number of male and female flowers
ppm and 300 ppm when plants were treated with ethephon; however, if
concentration increases (375 ppm), it can drastically decrease male
The study revealed (Fig. 2) that the days to flowering at 50 % in
flowers by 6.44 % compared to a control group. Likewise, the number of
cucumbers applied with different ethephon concentrations can shorten
female flowers varied significantly (p > 0.01); when the plant received
the days required to induce flowering. Plants treated with 300 and 225
an ethephon at 225 ppm and 300 ppm, female flowers increased with an
ppm of ethephon reduced the days to flowering (DTF) by at least two
average value of 7.05 and 8.18, respectively, but it was observed that
days, while 375 ppm induced flower one day earlier compared to plants
higher concentrations (375 ppm) reduce the female flower of cucumber
treated with an aqueous solution (water) with an average of 21.75,
with an average value of 6.62 if plants treated with ethephon. At the
22.50, and 24 days, respectively. More so, (Fig. 3) concentration at 300
same time, the lowest number of female flowers was still on plants
ppm significantly reduced the days required to induce male and female
treated with fertilizer and without any treatments. Thus, the results
flowers from days after sowing by at least 6.88 % and 8.88 %, respec­
signify that increasing the doses of ethephon can increase the number of
tively. Therefore, the data shows that plants without ethephon
female flowers by at least 49.77 % to 85.07 % compared to its regular
number. In addition, (Table 1) the male–female ratio of flowers (M: F
ratio) was increased in an ethephon group, and this value indicates that
in every ten (10) flowers, there were at least three to four female flowers
(10:3 and 10: 4) occurring in plants as compared to control with a ratio
of 5:1.

3.2. Number of fruit per plant, fruit diameter, and fruit length (cm)

Fig. 4 shows that plants sprayed at 225 ppm and 300 ppm produced
the maximum number of fruits with an average value of 8.78 and 8.96,
respectively; however, a reduction in fruit number was observed when
plants sprayed at 375 ppm from 8.96 to 8.1 or a decrease by at least
12.74 % compared to 300 ppm respectively. Likewise, the lowest
number of fruits was recorded in plants treated with and without fer­
tilizer. This concludes that a low to optimum ethephon level benefits
increased fruit numbers, while a high concentration, such as 375 ppm,
can reduce fruit numbers.
Meanwhile, ethephon application enhances the fruit attributes of
cucumbers in terms of diameter and length (Fig. 5). Maximum fruit
diameter was recorded in plants with 225 ppm of ethephon, while the
highest fruit length was observed in plants treated with 300 ppm, with
an average of 17.75 cm and 23.55 cm, respectively. In contrast, plants
Fig. 2. Influence of different doses of Ethephon on days to flower in cucumber. without any treatment obtained the minimum fruit diameter, and plants

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R.N. Santos and I.M. Guanzon Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences xxx (xxxx) xxx

Fig. 6. Actual yield per sample area of cucumber as influenced by

different treatments.
Fig. 4. Variation in fruit number as affected by Ethephon application.

cucumber yield; hence, the concentration at 300 ppm significantly

increased the yield production of cucumber.

1
3.4. Computed yield ton⋅ha−

Fig. 7 shows that an ethephon-treated plant with a concentration of

300 ppm obtained the highest yield ton⋅ha− 1, with a maximum yield of
15.22 tons representing by at least a 61.23 % increase compared to
control groups; however, there was no significant difference in yield in
all doses when ethephon was applied. Therefore, a percent (%) incre­
ment in yield of at least 48.20 % and 61.23 % was observed when plants
received low to middle doses of ethephon (225 and 300 ppm). Hence,
ethephon at various levels can increase cucumber yield ton⋅ha− 1, but
concentrations higher than 300 ppm were detrimental.

4. Discussion

The current findings show that ethephon (an ethylene-releasing

agent), in various doses, significantly influences the growth and fruit

Fig. 5. Influence of various concentrations of ethephon on fruit diameter and

fruit length of cucumber.

treated with fertilizer obtained the shortest fruit length with an average
of 17.06 cm and 22.55 cm, respectively. Therefore, ethephon at various
concentrations significantly improved the fruit diameter and fruit length
of cucumbers under field settings.

3.3. Yield in kilogram (kg) sample area-1

Fig. 6 presents that plants applied with 300 ppm of ethephon con­
centration were found to be superior in terms of yield in kilograms (kg)
per sample area compared to its upper and lower concentrations, with
an average of 5.64 kg or at least 59.32 %, respectively, being on par with
225 and 375 ppm, ranging from 40.11 % and 53.39 %, respectively. In
contrast, the lowest yield was obtained in untreated plants (negative
control), with an average of 3.54 kg. Furthermore, the data revealed that
plants treated with various ethephon concentrations can increase Fig. 7. Yield of cucumber ton⋅ha− 1
as affected by several treatments.

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R.N. Santos and I.M. Guanzon Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences xxx (xxxx) xxx

yield of cucumbers. Yamasaki et al. (2005) highlight that ethylene is a that the highest fruit number and fruit set in cucumbers were exhibited
chief regulator of sex-related expression in cucurbit species. The present at 300 ppm of ethephon due to augmented auxin in a plant. Imamsaheb
study revealed that plants treated with ethephon at an optimum level and Hanchinmani (2014) found that ethephon increased the diameter
significantly improved the time for floral emergence. Silva et al. (2019) and length of the fruit. The hormone auxin is involved in cell division,
emphasize that under control conditions, around twice as many male elongation, and differentiation (Tantasawat et al., 2015). They also
flowers occurred in plants without ethephon; however, more developed disclosed that auxins controlled cell division, significantly contributing
pistillate flowers were found in cucurbit if ethephon was applied. Con­ to fruit growth. An increase in fruit size may result from treatment with
trary to the findings of Manzano et al. (2014), agents that release development agents, which speed up the cell elongation and division
ethylene, such as ethephon, suspend the floral initiation of monoecious rate and increase the space between cells (Sharma et al., 2015). In
plants, especially in the case of cucurbit species, which possibly reduces addition, ethephon could slow vegetative growth and alter the cucum­
the pistillate flower. ber sex ratio toward femaleness. Additionally, this regulator can
On the other hand, ethephon application had a visible effect on early improve fruit quality (Kusumiyati et al., 2022). Furthermore, ethylene is
flower induction. Plants treated with 100 ppm ethylene accelerate floral crucial for the development of a female or bisexual flower, which is the
emergence regardless of plant stages (Barsoom and Attala, 2020). Hos­ first step in the production of cucurbit fruits (Chen et al., 2016).
sain et al. (2006) stated that the external application of ethephon during Devi and Madhanakumari (2015) verified that the fruit yield per
the two or four-leaf stage can alter the sex ratio. Among PGRs, ethylene plant was more significant with this regulator, either by itself or in
is one of the principal regulators that dictates sex-related expression in combination with other plant growth regulators than with the control
both monoecious and andromonoecious plants, such as suppression of treatment. The proportion of male and female flowers in cucumbers
staminate flowers towards pistillate formation (feminization) or vice influenced fruit yield, with more female flowers producing a higher
versa (Yamasaki et al., 2005; Shuichi et al., 1970). However, Arabsal­ yield (Ahmed et al. 2004). According to Wyse (1980) and Hariyadi
mani et al. (2012) stated that ethephon, particularly 200–––300 ppm, (1993), PGRs may have contributed to decreased strength, enhancing
delays flower emergence and reduces the female-male ratio in Cucumis yield, and playing a part in every stage of the growth and differentiation
melo associated with yield penalties. Similar observations on monoe­ process. Additionally, three sprays at the appropriate leaf stage 1–2
cious watermelon showed that ethephon- treated plants retard the in­ promoted plant growth, improved the ratio of female flowers, and
duction of female flowers and promote abnormal floral settings (Zhang subsequently enhanced the overall number and quality of fruit yield
et al., 2017). (Bhowmik and Matsui, 2005; Chen et al., 2010).
Meanwhile, subsequent findings of Yin and Quinn (1995) reported
that ethylene promotes feminization in Cucumis sativus due to ovary 5. Conclusion
development, leading to an increased pistillate-staminate ratio. Hossain
et al. (2004) discovered that ethephon modulates the development of The study concluded that an ethephon concentration of 300 ppm was
female flowers in Momordica charantia and Cucumis sativus. A shift from superior to other treatments, including the negative control, regarding
staminate toward pistillate formation was ascribed to the fact that the number of days to flower and the number of male and female
ethylene-influenced floral sex expression and this action promotes car­ flowers. Likewise, ethephon application at 225 and 375 ppm can
bohydrate accumulation in plants which leads to respiration reduction improve fruit size, diameter, length, and fruit number per plant of cu­
as a result of early development of pistillate flower, which retard the cumber. The yield at 300 ppm was nearly double that of the control,
vegetative phase of the plant, Little et al. (2007) outline that carpel which was attributed to increased female flowers. Hence, concentrations
maturation and sex expression in Cucumis melo was a dual role of of ethephon at various levels positively impact flowering time, counts,
ethylene. Such effects could be attributed to a lower concentration of fruit size, and overall yield of cucumber. These findings indicate
maleic hydrazide and ethephon slightly inhibited vegetative growth, appropriate ethephon concentrations can increase fruit yield and in­
increased lateral development, reduced respiration (thus increasing come for cucumber growers. Therefore, the utilization of ethephon as a
carbohydrate levels), and enhanced the development of early pistillate plant growth regulator signifies its role in enhancing crop yield without
flowers. Such synergistic effects increased early fruit setting and accel­ yield penalties.
erated fruit development processes (Abdel-Rahman, 1969). Yamasaki
et al. (2000) reported that higher levels of endogenous ethylene pro­ CRediT authorship contribution statement
duction caused more significant accumulation of CS-ETR2 and CS-ERS
mRNA. Raymond N. Santos: Writing – original draft, Visualization, Vali­
Research by Zahraa et al. (2021) and Wang et al. (2010) demon­ dation, Methodology, Investigation, Conceptualization. Israel M.
strated that ethephon enhances female flower production at 250 and Guanzon: Writing – review & editing, Validation, Resources, Method­
350 g/l− 1 in the cucumber plant. The treatment with 300 ppm of ethrel ology, Conceptualization.
as an ethylene source showed the best outcomes for the least number of
days needed for the first female flower, according to Dinesh et al. Declaration of competing interest
(2019). Similar to Baruah and Sarma (2013), sex expression toward
femaleness in cucumber plants helps to improve early flowering. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
However, a concentration of more than 375 ppm ethephon might be interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
lethal to plants, similar to the findings of Baral et al. (2022) and Bhan­ the work reported in this paper.
dary et al. (1974), plants treated with higher doses of ethephon delayed
the floral induction and caused demerits effects such as death of plants. Acknowledgement
Further, when ethylene was applied to cucurbits, the pistillate flower
decreased during floral growth in monoecious plants. Several findings We would like to acknowledge Dr. Rafael R. Rafael and Dr. Angelina
suggest that it regulates floral development, which highlights species- De Jesus for support during the research process.
specificity in response to ethylene; thus, discrepancy and complexity
might occur when it comes to the function of ethylene, particularly in References
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