Italian Zucchini Research Articles

Application management of Codasal Plus 2000 on Italian Zucchini irrigated with saline water

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is one of the main economically important vegetables in Brazil, but its production is limited in semi-arid regions due to its water requirement. This study evaluated the effect of Codasal Plus 2000 in different application management on zucchini crops irrigated with saline water. The experiment was carried out at the Federal Rural University of Semi-Árido, Mossoró-RN. A randomized block design was adopted with two salinity levels of irrigation water (S1 - 0.5 dS m-1; S2 - 5.0 dS m-1) and six application managements of Codasal Plus 2000 ((M1 - Absence (H2O); M2 - every 7 days (2 L ha-1); M3 - every 7 days (4 L ha-1); M4 - every 14 days (4 L ha-1); M5 - every 14 days (8 L ha-1); M6 - every 14 days (6 L ha-1)). Growth and production variables were evaluated. Regardless of application management, the dry mass of the vegetative part, dry mass of the fruits and total dry mass reduced by an average of 34.16%, 49.29% and 21.78. %, respectively, at the highest salinity. In fruits, the number, fresh mass and productivity were reduced by 67.75%, 21.77% and 72.48%, respectively, at the highest salinity level. Codasal Plus 2000 was unable to mitigate the negative effects of saline water.

Estratégias de irrigação com água salobra no cultivo da abobrinha italiana sob adubação potássica

ABSTRACT Zucchini may present different responses to the presence of salts in its phenological phases, and the supply of potassium can interfere with assimilate allocation dynamics, maximizing production. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of brackish water irrigation strategies at different phenological stages under potassium fertilization on the yield and quality of italian zucchini fruits. A completely randomized design was adopted in a 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with the application of different irrigation strategies (S1, S2, S3 and S4) based on crop phenology using two electrical conductivities (ECw) (W1: 0.3 dS/m; W2: 2.6 dS/m). (S1= W1 throughout the crop cycle; S2= W1 up to flowering and early fruiting, and W2 during the full fruiting and harvesting phases; S3= W2 during flowering and early fruiting, and W1 during full fruiting and harvesting; S4= W1 up to flowering and early fruiting, W2 during the full fruiting phase, and W1 during harvesting), with three potassium doses (K1= 0, K2= 7.5, and K3= 15 g/plant), and four replications. Saline stress at any stage reduces fruit quality, in addition to resulting in lower productivity and water use efficiency. Doses of 50 (K2) and 100% (K3) potassium provided lower productivity and water use efficiency. Further analyses and research are required to determine the ideal dose for crops under similar conditions of this study.

Ionic homeostasis, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini under nitrogen forms and salt stress.

This research was carried out aiming at evaluating the effects of nitrate and ammonium ions on nutrient accumulation, biochemical components and yield of Italian zucchini (cv. Caserta) grown in a hydroponic system under salt stress conditions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse utilizing an experimental design in randomized blocks, arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with 4 replications. The treatments consisted of two forms of nitrogen (nitrate - NO3- and ammonium - NH4+) and 5 electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water (ECw) (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1). The analysis of the results indicated that supply of N exclusively in NH4+ form promotes greater damage to the leaf membrane and reduction in accumulation of macronutrients and higher Na+/K+, Na+/Ca++ and Na+/Mg++ ratios in the shoots of zucchini plants. Electrical conductivity of irrigation water above 2.0 dS m-1 reduces the accumulation of nutrients in shoot and yield of Italian zucchini plant. The toxicity of NH4+ under Italian zucchini plants overlap the toxicity of the salinity, since its fertilization exclusively with this form of nitrogen inhibits its production, being the NO3- form the most suitable for the cultivation of the species.

ORGANIC SILICON IN THE PRODUCTION OF ITALIAN ZUCCHINI


 The use of silicon in several crops has been shown to be beneficial because of its protection in the leaves, reducing the attack of pests and diseases, because of which there is a significant increase in the production of various crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the application of silicon drench with different application rates on the production of Italian zucchini plants of the Caserta grow crops conducted in an open environment. Different drenches of silicon were evaluated to prevent and reduce the incidence of pathogens, increasing productivity. The experiment was carried out in the garden of the Hospital São Roque in the city of Getúlio Vargas - RS, using the seeds of Italian zucchini of the Caserta grow crops, with different drenches of silicon. Weight, circumference and size of the fruits of zucchini were evaluated. Seed treatment with silicon, T3: Seed treatment with silicon + 1 silicon application via leaf (0.5L ha-1), T4: Seed treatment with silicon, T3: Seed treatment with silicon + 2 applications of foliar silicon (each application 0.25L ha-1), T5: 1 application of foliar silicon (0.5L ha-1) and T6: 2 applications of foliar silicon The response variables were submitted to the variation analysis and to the Duncan test at 5% of probability for the comparison of averages. the use of silicon in the treatment of seeds and a single foliar application, presented a reduction in fruit circumference, in relation to the plants that did not receive silicon application, being that these plants also presented a reduction in fruit length in relation to plants that received Si in the treatment of seeds and two foliar applications, with half a dose each.

The Appropriate Source of Nitrogen for Italian Zucchini Under Salt Stress Conditions

The Appropriate Source of Nitrogen for Italian Zucchini Under Salt Stress Conditions

Gas exchanges in the zucchini culture fertilized with biofertilizers in two types of soil

The application of biofertilizers may provide plants similar performance and even superior to the use of mineral fertilizers, therefore, the determination of the most suitable sources to be applied in different crops is relevant. Given the importance of gas exchange in the performance of crops and that biofertilizers can provide increases in these physiological parameters, this study aimed to evaluate gas exchange in zucchini plants cultivated in two types of soil and managed with different aerobic fermentation biofertilizers. The experiment was carried out in full sunlight, in pots, using a randomized blocks design in an arrangement of split plots. The plots consisted of two types of soil (S1: Red-Yellow Argisol and S2: Fluvic Neossol), subdivided plots into five aerobic fermentation biofertilizers (F1 = quail, F2 = sheep, F3 = mixed - bovine + quail + sheep, F4 = bovine, and F5 = enriched crab), with five replicates. At 45 days after transplanting, the following variables were analyzed: photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal CO2 concentration, leaf temperature, and chlorophyll. Bovine, sheep, and mixed biofertilizers showed the highest rates with the best performance of Italian zucchini cultivation. The types of soil studied concerning the rates did not have a significant effect between treatments on zucchini cultivation. Moreover, Chlorophyll was not significantly influenced by any of the treatments applied.

Production cycle and characterization of Italian zucchini genotypes by the logistic model

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the productive cycle response of Italian zucchini genotypes grown under field conditions in two growing seasons using the nonlinear logistic model and its critical points. Two randomized block experiments were conducted, with three genotypes (Caserta, PX13067051, and Tronco) and two growing seasons (spring-summer and summer-fall), with eight replicates and each experimental unit consisting of 7 plants. The logistic nonlinear model was adjusted for the fruit mass variable, as a function of the accumulated thermal sum, and the critical points were estimated by the partial derivatives of the adjusted function. Adjustment by bootstrap resampling was performed to address the violation of assumptions. The results of intrinsic and parametric nonlinearity confirm the quality of the model fit. This experiment demonstrated that the zucchini genotypes evaluated were more productive in the spring-summer growing season, using the parameters and critical points obtained from the logistic nonlinear model. Genotypes PX13067051 and Caserta showed superior productivity to the Tronco genotype, and also fruited earlier and at a higher rate of production. The logistic growth model and its critical points characterized the production cycle of the zucchini genotypes in different growing seasons and allowed inferences to be made to differentiate the genotypes and the growing seasons.

EFFECT OF SEWAGE SLUDGE ON ITALIAN ZUCCHINI PLANTATION

Italian zucchini is a very important crop due to its short cycle, high productivity and great market acceptance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the emergence and growth of Italian zucchini plants in substrates enriched with sewage sludge. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using Italian zucchini seeds purchased at a local commerce. The substrates were composed of dystrophic Yellow Red Latosol; sand and sewage sludge in the proportions of 0; 40; 80; 120 and 240 t ha-1, in a randomized block design. Each experimental plot was composed of twenty replicates. The following variables were analyzed: emergence, emergence velocity index, first leaf length, stem length, number of leaves, fresh and dry aerial plant part, volume and root dry mass. It was verified that the post-seminal growth of Italian zucchini is viable in maximum concentration of up to 398.56 t ha-1 of sewage sludge.

Production of italian zucchini in response to N and P fertilization

The italian zucchini is a much-appreciated vegetable, besides being an economically viable alternative to the farmers. Nutrition with N and P is essential to produce vegetables, however, for the italian zucchini there are few scientific studies to guide fertilizing with these nutrients. The objective of this work was to evaluate the production of italian zucchini after N and P fertilization. The study was conducted in the agricultural area of the Irrigated Perimeter of Gorutuba, in the municipality of Nova Porteirinha-MG. A randomized block design with three replications was used. The treatments were arranged in a 5 × 4 factorial, using five doses of N (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) and four doses of P (0, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1 of P2O5), in the form of urea and monoammonium phosphate, respectively. NF was increased with N and P doses, and the combination of 150 kg ha-1 of P2O5 with 100 kg ha-1 of N was responsible for the highest number of fruits, with 17.52 fruits per plot. The combination of 100 kg ha-1 of N and 150 kg ha-1 of P2O5 resulted in the maximum PROD, corresponding to 10,834.67 kg ha-1. The elevation of P and N doses leads to an increase in the agronomic yield, without a marked change in the quality of the italian zucchini.

SOIL MULCHING AND DEFICIT IRRIGATION WITH WASTEWATER IN THE QUALITY OF ITALIAN ZUCCHINI

Conscious agricultural management, which aims to conserve natural resources, has been the target of contemporary agriculture. In this context, the reuse of water in deficit water depth in agricultural irrigation becomes a viable technique, and this work aimed to evaluate the effect of different irrigation depths with wastewater and soil mulching on the microbiological and postharvest characteristics of the Italian zucchini. The experiment was conducted in the field conditions with a randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement. Four irrigation depths (100%, 85%, 70%, and 55% of the estimated ETc from the Class A Evaporation Pan) and three types of soil mulching (rice husk, double-sided black and white polyethylene film, and uncovered soil) were analyzed. Texture, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids content (ºBrix), pH, and the ºBrix:TA ratio of the Italian zucchini were analyzed, besides the microbiological analysis. The irrigation depth or soil mulching did not influence the pH of the Italian zucchini. The uncovered soil promoted higher titratable acidity to the Italian zucchini. The texture of the fruit, the soluble solids, and the ºBrix:TA ratio was influenced by the types of soil mulching and irrigation depths. The use of wastewater for drip irrigation reduces the effects of the microbial load on the crop.

PVC film coatings promote post-harvest conservation of Italian zucchini fruits (Cucurbita pepo L.)

We evaluated the influence of storage conditions on the postharvest life of Italian zucchini fruits. Zucchinis with and without PVC coating film were evaluated at storage temperatures of 10 and 25 ºC. Evaluations were carried out at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 consecutive days. Zucchinis packed with PVC film at 10 ° C showed the lowest losses of fresh mass (0.84%), being the most efficient condition in reducing mass loss and maintaining the good aspects of the fruits. The treatments using 10ºC resulted in less loss of fruit firmness, regardless of packaging. Packaging with PVC at 25 ºC presented the lowest solids content at 20 days and increments up to 15 days of tritatable total acidity, with a subsequent decline at 20 days. Tritatable acidity increased until the end of the storage period in fruits without packaging. We found a variable pH in fruits without packing and a pH reduction in fruits with PCV packing regardless of temperature. Fruits stored at 10ºC with or without packing showed smaller biomass loss. Storing Italian zucchini fruits at low temperature or coated with PVC at low temperature decrease the activity of the enzymes of solubilization of the wall components, maintaining the turgor of the tissues and extending their useful life.

Evapotranspiration and crop coefficients of Italian zucchini cultivated with recycled paper as mulch.

Recycled paper has the potential to be used as a mulch for vegetable production and can be adopted for the cultivation of Italian zucchini. However, there have been no studies about the water savings or crop coefficient values used in irrigation management in this system; therefore, there is a need for more research. In view of the above, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of recycled paper mulch on evaporation and evapotranspiration in Italian zucchini and to determine the crop coefficients in its developmental stages. The study was carried out in two cultivation cycles conducted at the Lysimetric Station in Viçosa, MG, Brazil. The experiments were installed in a randomized block design with four replicates. Four lysimeter cultivation treatments were applied: without mulch (C); with recycled paper as mulch (CP); with only recycled paper (P); and with Bahia grass (G). Irrigation and drainage measurements were performed daily to calculate the crop and reference evapotranspiration, and thus the crop coefficient (Kc) values. The following characteristics were evaluated: fruit yield, NDVI and water productivity. For the cultivation of Italian zucchini using paper as mulch, Kc values of 0.54, 0.77 and 0.44 and Kcb values of 0.15, 0.45 and 0.18 are recommended for the initial, intermediate and final stages, respectively. NDVI can be used to estimate the Kc values for Italian zucchini. The use of recycled paper as mulch reduces the water consumption of Italian zucchini.

Spacing between plants and cultivar affect the production componentes of Italian zucchini

ABSTRACT The italian zucchini is a vegetable of national importance, much appreciated, which requires techniques that aim to increase production in less space. Plant spacing can influence the development of plants and the fruit production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Italian zucchini cultivars as a function of plant spacing. The experimental design was a randomized blocks in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme with four repetitions. The treatments consisted of a combination of two cultivars of zucchini (Alícia and Caserta) and four spacings between plants (0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7 m). The evaluated characteristics were: total number of fruits plant-1, number of commercial fruits plant-1, total productivity, commercial and non commercial, fresh mass of commercial fruits and dry mass of the plant. The cultivars responded differently to spacings between plants. The Alicia hybrid showed higher commercial yield, 28,490.5 kg ha-1 at spacing of 0.64 m between plants and Caserta cultivar, 26,398.8 kg ha-1 at spacing of 0.4 m.

Genomic sequence variability of an Italian Zucchini yellow mosaic virus isolate

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) was first reported in Italy, but no Italian isolates have been sequenced so far. A ZYMV isolate, designated Z104, was isolated from a zucchini plant grown in the open field in Piedmont, Italy, and showing severe disease symptoms. We report the full-length genome sequence of Z104 as determined by Sanger sequencing and small (s)RNA deep sequencing. The latter technique was useful to confirm the isolate sequence, that was deposited in the NCBI database with the accession number MK956829 and to investigate the sequence variability of Z104 isolate. The genome of 9611 nucleotides (nt) consisted of an open reading frame of 9243 nt encoding a polyprotein of 3080 amino acids (349.88 kDa), flanked by the 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions, and an overlapping ORF of 74 amino acids, the P3N-PIPO. As in previously sequenced ZYMV isolates, Z104 polyprotein consists of 10 putative functional proteins. Several domains in the HC-Pro and P3 proteins related to the transmissibility by aphids and virus aggressiveness are conserved in Z104. Symptoms induced both in the field and laboratory by Z104 together with its molecular features indicate that it is an aggressive strain. Deep sequencing of sRNAs revealed a particularly high variability in the genome sequence at eight nucleotide positions, three of which resulted in missense mutations in the P3, 6K1, and NIb proteins. This may be indicative of the natural ZYMV genome variability within the host. The phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome or the sole coat protein of several ZYMV isolates did not provide evidence for a close relationship of Z104 with other isolates from European countries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first-reported complete genome of a ZYMV isolate from Italy.

Growth, yield, nutrient accumulation and export and thermal sum of Italian zucchini

ABSTRACT Studies on plant nutrition are essential for a correct fertilizer management, improving yield and quality of the product, and it also may contribute for an updating recommendation. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth, nutrient accumulation and export, thermal sum and yield of zucchini cultivar Corona F1. The experiment was carried out from August 8 to October 25, 2013, in Santo Antônio de Posse, São Paulo State. At the end of the research, 84 days after transplanting (DAT), we observed 95 cm average height with 36 leaves and 45.8 t ha-1 maximum yield. The nutrient accumulation, in g plant-1, was: N (14.2) > K (9.3) > Ca (8.0) > Mg (2.5) > S (1.2) > P (0.9) and in mg plant-1, Mn (49.3) > Fe (34.9) > Zn (19.6) > B (16.4) > Cu (2.1) and export, in kg ha-1, was N (94.9) > K (44.1) > Ca (43.0) > Mg (12.6) > S (6.3 ) > P (5.3), in g ha-1, Mn (271.0) > Fe (159.2) > Zn (105.6) > B (82.8) > Cu (11.9). The highest nutrient demand occurred between 40 and 50 DAT. Cultivar Corona F1 cycle was completed within 1.538 degree-days.

Agronomic performance of Italian zucchini as a function of phosphate fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate the agronomic performance of Italian zucchini as a function of phosphate fertilization. The experiments were carried at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region, Mossoró, RN, Brazil, from August to November 2015 and from July to September 2016. The experimental design was randomized blocks in 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the combination of two cultivars (Caserta and Alícia) and five doses of phosphorus (0, 40, 78, 120 and 150 kg ha-1 of P2O5). Phosphorus doses associated with the maximum marketable yields estimated were smaller for Alícia than for Caserta in the period from August to November 2015. In the period from July to September 2016, these estimated doses were higher for Alícia compared with Caserta. Alícia, regardless of crop season, was superior to Caserta. Zucchini cultivation from July to September of 2016 resulted in higher fruit yield in comparison to the period from August to November 2015.

English

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of nitrogen and potassium applied through fertirrigation on yield characteristics of Italian Zucchini, Novita Plus cultivar. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Irrigation Technical Center of the State University of Maringa, Maringa - PR, adopting a completely randomized design in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, with three replications. Four doses of nitrogen (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg ha-1) and four doses of potassium (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg K2O ha-1) were tested. The fertirrigation was applied via micro irrigation through drip emitters in a continuous line, operating at a flow rate of 4 L h-1. Number of leaves, number of male and female flowers, average yield and mass of fruits per plant were evaluated. There was an increase in leaf production at the maximum nitrogen dose, as well as an increase in the number of male flowers at the maximum dose of nitrogen and potassium. The number of female flowers was influenced only by nitrogen, with an increase in the number of flowers at the highest nitrogen levels. Regarding the fruit yield, the best obtained doses were 179.19 kg ha-1 of N and 171.25 kg ha-1 of K2O. Finally, the doses that expressed maximum fruit mass gain were 136.92 kg ha-1 of N and 184.17 kg ha-1 of K2O. Key words: Cucurbita pepo L., cucurbitacea, sexual expression, production, nitrogen metabolism.

<b>The spatial and temporal independence of Italian Zucchini production

It is necessary to know the production variability of experimental units in a protected environment, both in terms of space and throughout different harvests. This knowledge helps reduce experimental error and increases result reliability in combination with the adoption of appropriate experimental techniques and cultural management. The objective of this study was to characterize the spatial and temporal independence of Italian Zucchini fruit production as cultivated in a protected environment. The study used production data from exploratory experiments under protected cultivation in the Department of Plant Sciences of the Federal University of Santa Maria. Different units sizes were simulated on the basis of known production values for the number of plants per row. To verify the independence or randomness of fruit production, a test run was applied to the units within the rows of individual and grouped harvests and in the same unit between individual and grouped harvests. There was a greater randomness of production in units with a higher number of plants. Using a lower number of harvests randomizes the production of units as the harvests are carried out. Groupings of harvests and units formed by four and five basic units are the most efficient combination for reducing non-randomness in the production of Italian Zucchinis.

Association between photosynthesis and contrasting features of minor veins in leaves of summer annuals loading phloem via symplastic versus apoplastic routes

Foliar vascular anatomy and photosynthesis were evaluated for a number of summer annual species that either load sugars into the phloem via a symplastic route (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Straight Eight; Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Italian Zucchini Romanesco; Citrullus lanatus L. cv. Faerie Hybrid; Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Autumn Gold) or an apoplastic route (Nicotiana tabacum L.; Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Brandywine; Gossypium hirsutum L.; Helianthus annuus L. cv. Soraya), as well as winter annual apoplastic loaders (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Giant Nobel; Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynhold Col-0, Swedish and Italian ecotypes). For all summer annuals, minor vein cross-sectional xylem area and tracheid number as well as the ratio of phloem loading cells to phloem sieve elements, each when normalized for foliar vein density (VD), was correlated with photosynthesis. These links presumably reflect (1) the xylem's role in providing water to meet foliar transpirational demand supporting photosynthesis and (2) the importance of the driving force of phloem loading as well as the cross-sectional area for phloem sap flux to match foliar photosynthate production. While photosynthesis correlated with the product of VD and cross-sectional phloem cell area among symplastic loaders, photosynthesis correlated with the product of VD and phloem cell number per vein among summer annual apoplastic loaders. Phloem cell size has thus apparently been a target of selection among symplastic loaders (where loading depends on enzyme concentration within loading cells) versus phloem cell number among apoplastic loaders (where loading depends on membrane transporter numbers).

Leaf anatomical and photosynthetic acclimation to cool temperature and high light in two winter versus two summer annuals

Acclimation of foliar features to cool temperature and high light was characterized in winter (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Giant Nobel; Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynhold Col-0 and ecotypes from Sweden and Italy) versus summer (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Soraya; Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Italian Zucchini Romanesco) annuals. Significant relationships existed among leaf dry mass per area, photosynthesis, leaf thickness and palisade mesophyll thickness. While the acclimatory response of the summer annuals to cool temperature and/or high light levels was limited, the winter annuals increased the number of palisade cell layers, ranging from two layers under moderate light and warm temperature to between four and five layers under cool temperature and high light. A significant relationship was also found between palisade tissue thickness and either cross-sectional area or number of phloem cells (each normalized by vein density) in minor veins among all four species and growth regimes. The two winter annuals, but not the summer annuals, thus exhibited acclimatory adjustments of minor vein phloem to cool temperature and/or high light, with more numerous and larger phloem cells and a higher maximal photosynthesis rate. The upregulation of photosynthesis in winter annuals in response to low growth temperature may thus depend on not only (1) a greater volume of photosynthesizing palisade tissue but also (2) leaf veins containing additional phloem cells and presumably capable of exporting a greater volume of sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant.