624 PB 448 SHORT- AND LONG-VINE PUMPKINS INTERCROPPED WITH BEANS AND COWPEAS

Abstract

Rows of tropical pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata) are typically spaced 3-4 m apart Rows fill in 8 to 10 weeks after planting, potentially allowing a short-seasoned intercrop to be planted. A long-vine cultivar (PRB-150) and a short vine genotype (FL-I25×I21 - winter planting; FL-I25 - fall) were planted 0.9 m within rows by 1.8 between rows in Lajas and Isabela, PR in winter and fall of 1993. Either beans, cowpeas or no intercrop were planted on the same date as the pumpkin maincrop. Legume plots were harvested both green-shelled and dry. Pumpkin canopy cover, yield, fruit number and size were the same in intercropped and non-intercropped plots These same traits varied significantly in short vs. long vine plots (short vine plots were lower yielding with smaller fruits and less canopy cover). Plots planted with the short-vine maincrop generally produced greater legume yields. Harvest of dry beans or cowpeas was nearly impossible in long vine plots since the canopy covered the legume plants at that stage. Intercropped green-shelled bean yields averaged 800 kg/ha. Such a yield would add substantially to the income of the pumpkin maincrop.