EFFECT OF ORGANIC MANURES AND PLANTING TIME ON GROWTH, YIELD, QUALITY AND ECONOMICS OF SQUASH UNDER MEDIUM HIGH LAND CONDITION OF DINAJPUR REGION

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the research field of Agricultural Research Station, Rajbari, Dinajpur during rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20 to develop a profitable and economic fertilizer dose and optimum planting time for Squash and to increase the productivity and yield. Two different dates of planting viz. 15 November and 30 November considered as factor A and different organic manures viz., vermicompost, poultry manure and cowdung considered as factor B. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block (RCB) design (Factorial) with three replications. Organic manures and planting time showed significant effects on most of the parameters. In case of organic manures, highest individual fruit weight (1707.50 g) and fruit yield (32.43 tha-1) was recorded from vermicompost whereas the lowest fruit weight (1233.17 g) and fruit yield (23.52 tha-1) was recorded from cowdung application. In case of planting time, the highest individual fruit weight (1747.11 g) and fruit yield (29.61 tha-1) was recorded from 15 November planting date whereas the lowest fruit weight (1196.44 g) and fruit yield (25.86 tha-1) was recorded from 30 November planting date. For combination, highest individual fruit weight (2153.66g) and fruit yield (34.06 tha-1) were recorded from vermicompost with 15 November planting date while the lowest individual fruit weight (1105.33g) and fruit yield (20.56 tha-1) were recorded from cowdung with 30 November planting date. Vermicompost with 15 November planting date was found suitable for total productivity and economic return of the system.