Cucumber is a warm season, vining, annual plant grown for its edible Cucumber fruit. 

Cucumber may also be referred to as Gherkin and originates from the foothills of the Himalayas, likely in India.

Major Cucumber growing countries in the world are China, Turkey, Iran, Russian federation, Ukraine, Spain, U.S.A, Mexico, Egypt and Uzbekistan.

Major Cucumber growing states of India are Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir. 

• Kingdom:  Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Violales
• Family:  Cucurbitaceae
• Genus: Cucumis
• Species: sativus

Fruit is the most economically important part of Cucumber.

Cucumbers require warm and dry conditions to develop optimally, preferring both warm days and warm nights.

They grow best at a temperature of 30˚C.

Cucumbers will provide best yields if grown in a fertile, well-draining soil, rich in organic matter.

Cucumber grows best in soil with pH between 6.5 and 7.5.

Cucumbers are very sensitive to cold and should be planted in full sun and provided with ample soil moisture.

• The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes.
• Biotic Causes: 
  
  • Major Pests: Aphids, Cabbage Looper, Cucumber Beetles, Cutworms and Flea Beetles.
    
  • Major Diseases: Alternaria Leaf Blight, Anthracnose, Belly Rot, Cercospora Leaf Spot and Downy Mildew.
• Abiotic Causes:
  • Frost Injury
  • Chlorosis
  • Stunted growth