Abstract
Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a horticultural crop of great socioeconomic importance in Brazil and in the world. However, inappropriate fertilization management, such as over-fertilization of soils, may become a limiting factor for its development. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the morpho-physiological behavior of zucchini submitted to nitrogen (N) doses applied via soil and foliar application of silicon (Si). The treatments were distributed in split-plot scheme in a randomized block design, with three replications. The plot was formed by silicon levels (0.0 and 6.0 g plant-1) and the subplots constituted by five nitrogen levels (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1), adding up to 30 experimental units. Gas exchanges and growth parameters were assessed at 35 days after planting. The data were submitted to analysis of variance by the F test and in the cases of significance was performed a polynomial regression analysis for the nitrogen factor and Tukey test for the silicon factor. The supply of Si positively enhances the effects of N on growth characteristics and gas exchanges of zucchini. The simultaneous application of Si and N does not influence the leaf area of zucchini. The N dose of 93.9 kg ha-1 provides greater assimilation of CO2 in zucchini plants under the conditions in which the experiment was performed.
Highlights
The zucchini or courgette (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a summer squash that belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae
Beneficial effects of nitrogen fertilization are reported by several authors in different crops, such as Antunes et al (2014) in African cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus L.), Porto et al (2012) in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) and Morais et al (2015) in maize plants (Zea mays L.)
Stem diameter, leaf number and leaf area were influenced by the interaction between nitrogen (N) and silicon (Si), being the highest values for these variables obtained with the application of Si (Table 2)
Summary
The zucchini or courgette (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a summer squash that belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. Nitrogen fertilization is of fundamental importance, since nitrogen (N) is an essential macro-nutrient that directly influences plant growth and development, affecting the source-sink relationship and photoassimilate distribution between the vegetative and reproductive organs (Porto et al, 2012). In this context, scarce nitrogen content in the soil causes nitrogen deficiency in plants, negatively affecting its biochemical and physiological processes and, the growth (Pedo et al, 2014). Beneficial effects of nitrogen fertilization are reported by several authors in different crops, such as Antunes et al (2014) in African cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus L.), Porto et al (2012) in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) and Morais et al (2015) in maize plants (Zea mays L.)
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