ABSTRACT
Gherkin, a small cucumber has been used for pickling since the 1660s. One large gherkin contains 35 milligrams of potassium. One large sweet gherkin has 114 micrograms of beta-carotene or 276 IU vitamin A. Gherkin is primarily grown for its edible fruit, which are used in pickling, a cooked vegetables, or eaten raw. Sweet gherkin pickles undoubtedly have health benefits but adding to diet can help in increasing intake of several nutrients like vitamin A, folate, calcium and iron. Gherkin is a warm season crop, which can be grown throughout the year in the regions where temperature fluctuations are very less. Being a short duration crop with high yield potential, gherkin demands large quantities of fertilizers. Gherkin is a naturally cross-pollinated crop. Pollination is entomophilous and honeybees are the pollinating agents. Gherkin is affected by root knot nematodes. The infection is severe during summer months affecting the roots by forming galls.
