A Preliminary Study for Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (Loche) Crop Production under the Hydroponic Dutch Bucket System

Abstract

Introduction: “Loche” is a pre-Hispanic cucurbit crop highly appreciated in Peruvian cuisine. Produced in northern Peru possess a diverse set of environmental limiting factors for profitable production: Ambient temperature, pH, irrigation, plagues and diseases; furthermore, Hydroponic crop production is being extensively applied for high value crops, favorable in “Loche” production case, these factors can be easily monitored and controlled under a soilless culture technology. Objective: To establish “Loche” plants in the hydroponic Ductch bucket system. Methods: Trials of cucurbit species were carried out in the Raft and Dutch bucket systems; upon positive results, “Loche” was tested in the Dutch Bucket system. Vegetative seeds consisting of 5-6 node-long vines were purchased in a local area and subjected to rooting procedures after which seedlings (n=10) were transplanted to 51 Dutch Buckets for vegetative and reproductive growth. Leaves diameter was measured at 50 cm and 2 m and inter-nodal length at 50 cm, 120 cm and 2 m of height. Results: Plants showed no sign of nutritional deficiency and their structures (long stems and bigger leaves diameter upwards the plant, p<0.05) resembled adaptations to a high temperature environment with constant water supply. Male flowers blossomed at 60 days of plants growth and no female flowers were observed. Conclusion: “Loche” was successfully established in the hydroponic Dutch bucket system. No previous work in this field has been reported for this crop. However, further research is needed for the technique to be apply at a commercial level.