Response of Long- and Short-vine Tropical Pumpkins to Varying Cultural Practices

Abstract

Three field experiments were carried out in Lajas, Puerto Rico, to compare the effects of planting method (direct and transplant), plastic mulch (with and without), and planting density (1.8 x 1.8 m, 3.6 x 0.9 m, 1.8 x 0.9 m between and within rows) on production of short-and long-vined tropical pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata). The long-vine genotype produced greater yields and larger but fewer fruit than the short-vine genotype. However, most of the planting densities tested were probably not optimum for short-vine cultivars. Direct seeding of pumpkin was more efficient than transplanting and resulted in the same early and total yield as transplanting. Yields with plastic-covered banks were similar to yields without the use of plastic. However, use of plastic mulch increased the number of fruit and decreased the average fruit weight in the plots. The best planting distance depended on the type of genotype used. The long-vine genotype had the highest yields at 1.8 x 1.8 m, while the short-vine cultivar performed best with half that amount of space per plant (1.8 x 0.9 m). Production of short-vine cultivars might be improved by using even narrower planting distances.