Cucumber is a vegetable crop, the economic importance of which varies according to the region of the world. It is most popular in Europe, the USA, USSR and Asia (Table 1). The cucumber is native to Asia, where it has been grown for food for at least 3000 years. It was introduced into China in 100 B.C. and into France in the 9th century. The fruits are generally used for slicing and pickeling. The cucumber is grown in the field and in glasshouses. The area of its cultivation and yields are subjected to quite significant fluctuations in different years.
