Squash Yield Research Articles

Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and Zinc Sulphate Levels on Growth and Yield of Squash under Net House Condition

A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during November, 2020 to February, 2021. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The experiment had two factors (Different levels of salicylic acid, S0= No salicylic acid (control), S1= 60 ppm of salicylic acid, S2= 90 ppm of salicylic acid and different levels of zinc, Z0= No zinc sulphate (control), Z1= 25 ppm of zinc sulphate, Z2= 50 ppm of zinc sulphate. Different levels of salicylic, zinc sulphate and also their combinations showed significant influence on different growth, yield contributing parameters and yield of squash. The treatment, S2 showed highest results in fruit yield per plant (2422.7 g), fruit yield per plot (9.68 kg) and fruit yield per ha (37.83 t) compared to control. In case of zinc treatments, the highest results in fruit yield per plant (2597.1 g), highest fruit yield per plot (10.38 kg) and highest fruit yield per ha (31.74 t) were found from Z1 compared to control. Likewise, the treatment combination of S2Z1 (90 ppm of salicylic acid and 25 ppm of zinc sulphate) gave the highest fruit yield per plant (3045.4 g) fruit yield per plot (12.18 kg) and highest yield per ha (47.57 t) where the lowest results were found from the treatment combination of S0Z0 (control). The highest gross return (BDT 1189425), net return (BDT 881669) and BCR (3.86) were obtained from the treatment combination of S2Z1 where the lowest was obtained from S0Z0. It can be concluded that from economic point of view, S2Z1 (90 ppm of salicylic acid and 25 ppm of zinc sulphate) treatment combination is suitable for squash cultivation than other treatment combinations.

Using Optimized Three-Band Spectral Indices and a Machine Learning Model to Assess Squash Characteristics under Moisture and Potassium Deficiency Stress

Moisture and potassium deficiency are two of the main limiting variables for squash crop performance in many water-stressed places worldwide. If major output decreases are to be avoided, it is critical to detect signs of crop stress as early as possible in the growth cycle. Proximal remote sensing can be a reliable technique for offering a rapid and precise instrument and localized management tool. This study tested the ability of proximal hyperspectral remotely sensed data to predict squash traits in two successive seasons (spring and fall) with varying moisture and potassium rates. Spectral data were collected from drip-irrigated squash that had been treated to varied rates of irrigation and potassium fertilization over both investigated seasons. To forecast potassium-use efficiency (KUE), chlorophyll meter (Chlm), water-use efficiency (WUE), and seed yield (SY) of squash, different commonly used and newly-introduced spectral index values for three bands (3D-SRIs), as well as a Decision Tree (DT) model, were evaluated. The results revealed that the newly constructed three-band SRIs based on the wavelengths of the visible (VIS), near-infrared (NIR), and red-edge regions were sensitive enough to measure the four tested parameters of squash in this study. For instance, NDI558,646,708 presented the highest R2 of 0.75 for KUE, NDI744,746,738 presented the highest R2 of 0.65 for Chlm, and NDI670,628,392 presented the highest R2 of 0.64 for SY of squash. The results further demonstrated that the principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated the ability to distinguish moisture stress from potassium deficiency stress at the flowering stage onwards. Combining 3D-SRIs, DT-based bands (DT-b), and the aggregate of all spectral characteristics (ASF) with DT models would be an effective strategy for estimating four observed parameters with appropriate accuracy. For example, the model’s approximately 30 spectral characteristics were extremely important for predicting KUE. Its outputs with R2 were, for the training and validation datasets, 0.967 (RMSE = 0.175) and 0.818 (RMSE = 0.284), respectively. For measuring Chlm, the DT-DT-b-20 model demonstrated the best. In the training and validation datasets, the R2 value was 0.993 (RMSE = 0.522) and 0.692 (RMSE = 2.321), respectively. The overall outcomes showed that proximal-reflectance-sensing-based 3D-SRIs and DT models based on 3D-SRIs, DT-b, and ASF could be used to evaluate the four tested parameters of squash under different levels of irrigation regimes and potassium fertilizer.

Commercial Hard Squash Cultivars Exhibit Differences in Susceptibility to Phytophthora Crown Rot

Crown rot and fruit rot, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora capsici, limit the yield and quality of hard squash grown for processing. In a 2-year field study, we compared four Butternut types ( Cucurbita moschata), two Delicious varietal Hubbard types ( Cucurbita maxima), and six Kabocha types ( C. maxima) for crown rot resistance and fruit characteristics relevant to processing including mesocarp soluble solids, percentage of dry matter, and average fruit weight in 2019 and 2020. To evaluate crown rot, plants were inoculated in replicated field trials. The C. moschata cultivars Dickinson, Buckskin, New England Cheddar, and Ultra Butternut had significantly less plant death in both years (<15%) than other cultivars. Significantly fewer Thunder plants died in 2020 (59.6%) compared with the Kabocha cultivars Sweet Mama (>94.2%), Delica (≥92.3%), and Sunshine (≥90.4%) and had a lower relative area under the disease progress curve value (≤22.4) in both years. In noninoculated field trials, mature fruits were assessed for fruit characteristics. Of the resistant C. moschata cultivars, only Ultra Butternut exhibited similar °Brix to NK 580 in both years and had comparable or greater dry matter and fruit weight. Kabocha cultivars with moderate crown rot susceptibility (i.e., Thunder) exhibited higher °Brix and dry matter and smaller fruit weight compared with NK 580 each year. Integrated management programs can be advanced by selecting cultivars with crown rot resistance. Further evaluation of desirable yield and quality characteristics of the resistant cultivars could accelerate acceptance of these cultivars by growers and processors.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulator on Growth, Yield, Quality and Economic of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L. Var. Pattypan) in Mid Hills of Uttarakhand

Field study on the Effect of Plant Growth Regulator on Growth and Yield of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L. Var. Pattypan) was conducted during 2017 (summer season). Ten treatments of plant growth regulator consist of T1 Control; T2 Ethrel 150 ppm; T3 Ethrel 200 ppm; T4 Ethrel @ 250 ppm; T5 Gibberellic acid (GA3) @ 25 ppm; T6 Gibberellic acid (GA3) @ 50 ppm; T7 Gibberellic acid (GA3) @ 75 ppm; T8 Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) @ 50 ppm; T9 Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) @ 100 ppm; T10 Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) @ 150 ppm were tried in Randomized Complete Block Design having three replications. Results revealed that the maximum number of male flowers per plant (13.63) was found under T5 that was closely followed by T4, T7, T3 and the lowest number of male flowers per plant (7.06) in T9. In contrast, the maximum number of female flowers per plant (7.86) was found under T9 while the lowest number of female flowers per plant (4.76) was found under T7.The lowest sex ratio (1.26) was observed with T9, while the highest sex ratio (2.43) was observed with T6.The maximum fruit set percent (71.58) were found under T8 that was statistically identical by T10: Naphthalene acetic acid 150 ppm while the minimum fruit set (49.02) were found under T2. Different plant growth regulators showed a statistically significant variation on number of fruits per plant. The maximum (6.03) fruits per plant in number were recorded under T9 and the minimum fruits per plant were recorded in T2. The yield of summer squash was recorded the maximum (403.75 q ha-1) in treatment T4 which was closely followed by T10. The quality parameters i.e., TSS (4.66) and shelf life (114.6 days) of summer squash was determined the maximum in T8 as compared to other treatments. The economics of using different growth regulators revealed that the benefit cost ratio was the maximum with Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) @ 100 ppm (T9) followed by Ethrel 250 ppm (T4). The overall results showed that the effective treatment for increasing femaleness and yield of Summer Squash was Ethrel (250 ppm) with the satisfactory benefit cost ratio (4.23).

Dose-response of plasticulture summer squash and triploid watermelon to fomesafen applied pre-transplanting

AbstractDose-response trials to determine the tolerance of summer squash and watermelon to fomesafen applied (over the top of black polyethylene mulch and respective row middles) pre-transplanting were performed between 2020 and 2021 at three Indiana locations: the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm (MEIGS), the Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center (PPAC), and the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC). Summer squash trials were performed at the MEIGS and PPAC locations, and watermelon trials were performed at the MEIGS and SWPAC locations. The experiments for both summer squash and watermelon had a split-plot arrangement in which the main plot was herbicide rate, and the subplot was cultivar. Summer squash injury included necrotic leaf margin, chlorosis, brown and white spots, and stunting. Fomesafen rates from 262 to 1,048 g ai ha−1 in 2020 at both locations, and from 280 to 1,120 g ai ha−1 in 2021 at MEIGS did not affect summer squash yield. However, in 2021 at PPAC, fomesafen applied at rates from 280 to 1,120 g ha−1 delayed summer squash harvest and decreased marketable yield from 95% to 61% compared with the nontreated control. Watermelon injury included bronzing and stunting. Fomesafen rates from 210 to 840 g ai ha−1 did not affect marketable watermelon yield or fruit number. Crop safety was attributed to rain, which washed off most of the herbicide from the polyethylene mulch before plants were transplanted or little to no rain after transplant. Injury was observed only when there was no rain before transplant followed by excessive rain shortly after transplant. Overall, the 1× rate used for each trial was safe for use 1 d before transplanting summer squash and 6 to 7 d before transplanting watermelon.

Cover crop-based reduced tillage management impacts organic squash yield, pest pressure, and management time

Cover crop-based reduced tillage (CCBRT) systems can provide multiple benefits in cucurbit cropping systems, including potential to reduce spread of soil-borne pathogens, minimize erosion, and decrease weed pressure. Despite benefits and farmer interest, adoption has been limited, in part due to inconsistent weed suppression and potential for reduced yields. Prior studies have suggested that N competition, allelopathy, and lower temperature may be factors in reducing vegetable yield in CCBRT systems. A strip tillage approach has been suggested as one strategy that could mitigate those issues, but cucurbit yields using these systems have shown mixed results in prior studies, some of which did not include other important considerations for growers such as the impact on weed and pest pressure. In 2018 and 2019, CCBRT strip till practices for organic acorn winter squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) production were assessed in Wisconsin on certified organic land. Combinations of different between-row (aisle) and in-row mulches were compared to attempt to identify reduced tillage combinations that effectively manage weeds while resulting in yields comparable to full tillage production, testing our hypothesis that no differences between production systems would be observed due to strip tillage and plastic mulch warming soil and minimizing competition while promoting cash crop growth. Aisle treatments included roller-crimped cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) mulch, straw mulch and cultivated bare ground, and in-row treatments included plastic mulch, ground straw mulch, and cultivated ground. Weed and pest counts, weed management time, and yields were compared between treatments. Plots managed with rye and straw in the aisles had significantly less weed pressure as compared to cultivated aisle treatments, although rye required more weed management time than ground straw mulch. In addition, rye resulted in lower marketable yield due to higher proportion unmarketable fruit in 2018, likely related to a 25 cm rain event 2 weeks prior to harvest. A significant row mulch × aisle mulch interaction was observed for marketable fruit m−1, showing that yield was not significantly affected by the type of in-row mulch in plots with crimped rye mulch in the aisle. Pressure from squash bugs (Anasa tristis) was also higher in treatments with organic or synthetic mulches (straw in aisles or rows, rye in aisles, and plastic in rows). Our results support previous evidence that crimped rye can be an effective mulching strategy to reduce weed pressure, with more efficient management than traditional straw mulch. However, crimped rye systems may have negative implications for yield and pest pressure regardless of the use of a strip-tillage approach, indicating that more research is needed to refine the production system.

Effect of Application Nitrophenolates and IAA on growth and yield of Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

A field experiment was conducted out from March 11th to July 20 th to study the effect of foliar application nitrophenolates (0, 2, 4 and 6 ml.l-1) biostimulators and IAA (0,150 and 300 mg. l-1) on the growth and yield of summer squash. Nitrophenolates had the best significant effect on plant length and shoot dry weight (63.12 cm and 98.72 g respectively) were obtained with 2 ml.l-1, leaf area (256.00 cm2) was measured in 4 ml.l-1 resentment. However, the best results of stem diameter (17.47 mm) was obtained from 300 ml.l-1 IAA. The interaction of 2 ml.l-1 nitrophenolates and 300 mg. l-1 IAA caused highest significant in Stem diameter (19.10 mm), plant length (69.20 cm) and fruit length (17.16cm), and the best results of fruit. weight Plot-1, fruit weight plant-1 and fruit weight hectare-1(7.30, 1.82 kg and 29.11 ton) were obtained from 150 ml.l-1 IAA without nitrophenolates treatments. 2 ml.l- nitrophenolates is the best levels significantly effect on vegetative and reproductive parameter, however the interaction between IAA and nitrophenolate more significantly effects.

Exploring the reinforcing effect of nano-potassium on the antioxidant defense system reflecting the increased yield and quality of salt-stressed squash plants

To explore the reinforcing effects of nano-potassium fertilizer (nano-K) on growth, yield and quality, physio-biochemical responses, antioxidant defense systems, antioxidant gene expressions, and nutrients of salt-stressed squash plants, field experiments were performed using normal (EC = 2.34 dS m−1) and saline (EC = 9.38 dS m−1) soils during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The traditional recommended K at full dose (TRK100) or half dose (TRK50) was used in both soils. Salinity and/or TRK50 significantly decreased photosynthetic pigment contents (by 8.7−22.5%), photosynthetic efficiency (by 6.0−10.9%), relative water content (RWC by 5.0−5.1%), membrane stability index (MSI by 7.2−7.4%), nutrient contents (by 28.4−48.2%), K+/Na+ ratio (by 66.4−67.1%), which contributed to the decrease in growth (by 12.2−25.8%) and yield traits (by 4.2−28.5%), and fruit quality (by 8.5−19.7%) due to an increment of oxidative stress biomarker (O2•‒ by 32.4−52.9% and H2O2 30.4−57.1%) levels, electrolyte leakage (EL by 23.3−24.5%), malondialdehyde (MDA by 71.4−77.6%), and Na+ (by 55.5−56.9%). Under stress in both soils, foliar-applied 0.50 g nano-K L−1 suppressed the levels of O2•‒, H2O2, MDA, EL, and Na+, while noticeably increased photosynthetic pigment contents, photosynthetic efficiency, RWC, MSI, nutrient contents, K+/Na+ ratio, which were positively reflected in growth and yield traits, and fruit quality due to increased osmoprotectant and low-molecular-weight antioxidant contents, antioxidant enzyme activities and enzymatic gene expressions. Therefore, our findings recommend using nano-K as an effective strategy to promote antioxidant and photosynthetic machineries, minimize oxidative stress biomarkers and Na+ levels, boost tolerance to salt stress, and improve squash yield and yield quality under salt stress.

Squash Leaf Curl Virus: Species of Begomovirus as the Cause of Butternut Squash Yield Losses in Indonesia

Curling symptom was found in pumpkin plants in Bali, and the PCR detection result using Begomovirus universal primers indicated Begomovirus infection. Further research was conducted to determine the distribution, molecular character of SLCV, and yield loss of the pumpkins. Sampling was carried out at pumpkin plantations in 9 districts in Bali. Detection and identification were carried out using PCR method, followed by cloning and DNA sequencing. DNA band with the measurement of 900 bp was successfully amplified from several pumpkin samples from Denpasar, Gianyar, and Buleleng. Homology analysis of nucleotide sequences using the database in GenBank of SLCV of Balinese isolates showed the highest homology and kinship of 97.3-98.4% and 98.4-99.3% respectively with East Timor isolates from pumpkin plants. The phylogeny analysis showed that SLCV Indonesian isolates were in the same group as Asian isolates. The result of this study is the first report on infection and molecular characterization of SLCV in pumpkin plants in Indonesia. The yield loss caused by curling disease on individual pumpkin plants was 56.3%, and the disease caused a decrease in the quality of harvest fruits. Yield loss estimation caused by the disease in fields with different levels of disease intensity ranged from 10.02 to 25.83%. It was equal to yield loss ranging from IDR 878,400.00 to IDR 10,826,400.00 depending on the disease intensity. It is found that the correlation between curling disease severity and yield loss was high.

Squash Yield, Water-Use Efficiency and Nitrate Accumulation as Influenced by the Application of Humic Acid, Geobacillus stearothermophilus SSK-2018 and Wheat Straw in an Arid Land Condition

The importance of inorganic fertilizers in squash crop productivity is enormous. However, the continuous use of inorganic fertilizers constitutes a serious problem to the environment and human health due to nitrate accumulation. Thus, two seasons (2020 and 2021) of field trials were carried out to investigate the effects of bio-organic amendments on squash under arid land conditions in Saudi Arabia. The bio-organic amendments were comprised of humic acid (HA) at three levels (0, 50 and 100 L/ha), inoculation of a cellulose-decomposing bacterium (CDB; Geobacillus stearothermophilus SSK-2018) and wheat straw at four levels (0, 20 and 30 t/ha and NPK 20:20:20 at 600 kg/ha as a positive control). A randomized split-split plot design replicated three times was used in laying out the field trials. The independent application of HA, CDB and wheat straw significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved squash growth, yield and water-use efficiency in both seasons. Furthermore, HA significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced fruits’ nitrate content. HA (100 L/ha) reduced nitrate content in squash fruits by 87% and 71.6% compared to the control in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The application of 20 t/ha of wheat straw significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced nitrate accumulation in fruits compared to the positive control (NPK) by 5.9% and 13.6% in 2019/20 and 2020/21, respectively. Regression analysis shows that increased nitrate accumulation in fruits results in decreased squash growth and fruit yield. This study demonstrates the significance of bio-organic amendments in improving squash growth and yield while reducing nitrate accumulation in fruits.

Identity and Pathogenicity of Fungi Associated with Root, Crown, and Vascular Symptoms Related to Winter Squash Yield Decline.

Winter squash (Cucurbita maxima cultivar Golden Delicious) produced in Oregon's Willamette Valley for edible seed production has experienced significant yield losses because of a soilborne disease. The symptoms associated with this disease problem include root rot, crown rot, and vascular discoloration in the stems, leading to a severe late season wilt and plant collapse. Through field surveys, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. culmorum-like fungi, Plectosphaerella cucumerina, and Setophoma terrestris were identified to be associated with diseased tissues, and each produced symptoms of root rot, crown rot, or stem discoloration in preliminary pathogenicity trials. In this study, 219 isolates of these species were characterized by molecular identity analyses using BLAST of the internal transcribed spacer and translation elongation factor 1 alpha genomic regions and by pathogenicity testing in outdoor, large-container trials. Molecular identity analyses confirmed the identity of isolates at 99 to 100% similarity to reference isolates in the database. In pathogenicity experiments, F. solani produced the most severe symptoms, followed by F. culmorum-like fungi, F. oxysporum, P. cucumerina, and S. terrestris. Some treatments of mixed-species inoculum produced symptom severity greater than what was expected from individual species. In particular, the mixture of F. culmorum-like fungi, F. oxysporum, and P. cucumerina and the mixture of F. culmorum-like fungi, F. solani, and S. terrestris had symptom ratings as high as that of F. solani by itself. Results indicate that this soilborne disease is caused primarily by Fusarium solani, but interactions between the complex of F. solani, F. culmorum-like fungi, F. oxysporum, and P. cucumerina can exacerbate disease severity.

Proximity to wildflower strips did not boost crop pollination on small, diversified farms harboring diverse wild bees

The yield of many agricultural crops depends on pollination services provided by wild and managed bees, many of which are experiencing declines due to factors such as reductions in floral resources. Thus, improving pollinator habitat on farmlands using management strategies like planting wildflower strips is vital for wild bee conservation and sustainable crop pollination. Yet, few studies have examined whether and at what spatial scales wildflower strips enhance crop pollination and yields, and most research has been conducted in large-scale commercial agriculture. Therefore, we investigated the effects of wildflower strips on crop pollination on small, diversified farms (i.e., those growing a variety of crop species) where wild bee diversity and abundance is predicted to be comparatively high. Over three years, on four diversified farms in Montana USA, we tested the hypothesis that distance (20, 60, and 180 m) of crops from native perennial wildflower strips planted alongside crop fields affected wild bee visitation, pollination, and yields of squash and sunflower crop plants. We found that distance to wildflower strips did not affect bee visitation or pollination in crops. Squash yield was pollen-limited in the growing season prior to wildflower strip establishment, and in one of the two years after wildflower strip establishment, but proximity to wildflower strips did not influence the magnitude of pollen limitation. Sunflower seed production was not pollen-limited in any year. Our findings demonstrate that even on diverse farms with wildflower strips and a demonstrated high diversity of bees, some crops do not necessarily receive maximum pollination, regardless of distance from the wildflower strips. However, the value of wildflower strips for supporting wild bee diversity, and other ecological or economic benefits, needs consideration for a full understanding of this pollinator habitat management strategy.

The multiple-flowering trait conferred by gene mf increases yield of field-grown Cocozelle and Zucchini squash

The multiple-flowering trait conferred by gene mf increases yield of field-grown Cocozelle and Zucchini squash

Enhancing growth and yield of squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) through mulching and inorganic fertilizers

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of mulching and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of squash at the Horticultural Farm of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from November 2021 to February 2022. The experiment consisted of three types of mulching viz., M0 (Control), M1 (Black polythene) and M₂ (Rice straw), and five levels of inorganic fertilizers viz., T0 = Control, T1 = N : P : K: S @ 70: 70: 80: 10 kg/ha, T2 = N : P : K: S @ 80: 80: 90: 15 kg/ha, T3 = N : P : K: S @ 90: 90: 100: 20 kg/ha, T4 = N : P : K: S @ 100: 100: 110: 25 kg/ha. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The highest yield per plot (6.06 Kg) and highest yield per hectare (33.65 t) were observed from M1 (Black polythene) while the lowest yield per plot (4.11 kg) and yield per hectare (22.85 t) were found from M0 (Control). T3 treatment (N: P : K: S @ 90: 90: 100: 20 kg/ha) produced the maximum yield per plot (7.14 kg) and yield per hectare (39.65 t) while T0 (Control) treatment produced the minimum yield per plot (3.22 kg) and yield per hectare (17.86 t). The maximum yield per plot (8.36 Kg) was obtained from M1T3 (Black polythene and N: P: K: S @ 90: 90: 100: 20 kg/ha) treatment while the minimum yield per plot (2.14 Kg) was recorded from M0T0 (Control) treatment. The maximum yield per hectare (46.43 t) was obtained from M1T3 (Black polythene and N : P : K: S @ 90: 90: 100: 20 kg/ha) treatment while the minimum yield per hectare (11.89 t) was recorded from M0T0 (Control) treatment. Therefore, combined application of black polythene mulch along with N : P : K: S @ 90: 90: 100: 20 kg/ha was found to be better in respect of growth and yield of squash compared to other treatments.

A comparison study of various mulches on growth and yield of summer squash

Mulching is being widely utilized for production of various crops worldwide and it has a great impact on crop growth and yield. In this regard, the present investigation was carried out to determine the effects of various mulch materials on growth and yield of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) during, 2021 in Agricultural fields of Lovely Professional University, Punjab. Different mulch materials viz., compost, dry leaves, paddy straw, saw dust, sugarcane trash, black polyethylene mulch, transparent mulch and without mulch as control were used for the investigation. Among the different mulches, black polyethylene mulch recorded significantly highest plant height, number of leaves per plant, plant spread and days to 50% female flower. Correspondingly, the highest yield attributes viz., average fruit length, average fruit width, average fruit weight and number of fruits per plant with the highest yield per plant (3.82 kg), yield per plot (68.14 kg) and total fruit yield (27.25 t ha-1) were recorded by black polyethylene mulch compare to the control. Based on the study, it is revealed that black polyethylene mulch is the most eco-friendly method for growing and developing of summer squash.

Effect of Organic and Synthetic Mulches on Soil Temperature, Nutrient Availability and Yield of Squash

The field experiment was conducted on squash cv. Bulam house at Central Research Farm, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur under AEZ-28 during rabi season of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to study the effect of organic and synthetic mulches on soil temperature, nutrient availability and yield of squash.The treatments were T1: control, T2: black polyethylene mulch, T3: white polyethylene mulch and T4: rice straw mulch. The experiment is laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), where each treatment was replicated thrice. Data on growth and yield attributes of squash were collected during the crop growing season and after harvesting. Soil temperatures were differentially affected by the type of polyethylene mulch, with temperatures generally following the order: white polyethylene mulch>rice straw mulch>black polyethylene mulch. All plant growth characters, yield and yield contributing characters were superior with white polyethylene relative to grown without mulch (control). Treatment T3 (white polyethylene mulch) resulted in increased single fruit weight (kg) of squash than control. Fruit yield was also increased when grown in soil under white polyethylene mulch i.e. 37.6 tha-1. White polyethylene mulch had 282 % increase in yield per ha over control. The higher yield was associated with higher soil temperature in white polythene mulch compared to other mulches during crop growing period

Soil Amendments Enhanced Summer Squash Yield, Fruit Composition, Quality, and Soil Enzymes Activity

Soil Amendments Enhanced Summer Squash Yield, Fruit Composition, Quality, and Soil Enzymes Activity

ՀՀ ԱՐԱՐԱՏԻ ՄԱՐԶԻ ՀՈՎՏԱՇԱՏ ՀԱՄԱՅՆՔՈՒՄ ՍԱԾԻԼՄԱՆ ՏԱՐԲԵՐ ԺԱՄԿԵՏՆԵՐԻ ԱԶԴԵՑՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ ԴԴՄԻԿԻ ԱՐԱԼ F1 ՀԻԲՐԻԴԻ ԲԵՐՔԱՏՎՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՎՐԱ

Squash is cultivated almost in all agricultural zones of Armenia; anyhow, the agrotechnology of its cultivation is not sufficiently studied yet. The squash hybrid Aral F1 has been selected as a study subject for the research work. The effect of different times of seedling emergence under film coating on the squash growth, development and yield indicators has been studied. Upon the scientific experiments it has been found out that for the early squash harvest in conditions of Ararat valley the seedlings of Aral F1 or other similar hybrids should be planted under the film-coated area in the first decade of March, which will enable to harvest a rather high squash yield.

Improved water productivity in summer squash under water deficit with PGPR and synthetic methyl amine applications

Insufficient freshwater resources require the improvement of deficit irrigation with approaches that induced high yields by increasing the adaptation of plants to physiological and photosynthetic responses to water scarcity in the soil. The aim of this study is to evaluate water productivity applying combinations of three different plant growth promoting rhizobacteria-PGPR (Bacillus megaterium TV91C, Bacillus megaterium TV6D, Bacillus subtilis RK1900) with a synthetic methylamine molecule for summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) at four irrigation levels (full irrigation, and 15, 30 and 45% deficit irrigation), comparing with control (without PGPR and MA). For that, the results of the small plot field experiment carried out in squash growing season of 2017 and 2018 in a semi-arid region were evaluated. PGPR + MA applications decreased the harmful effects on photosynthetic traits (Pn, gs, Ci and Tr), chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage and leaf relative water content by water deficit and significantly improved also. Although the negative correlations between yield and physiological and photosynthetic traits, PGPR + MA applications provided higher marketable yield as much as the plants full irrigated even at low irrigation levels with a potential root growth from physiological and photosynthetic improving. Higher yield in PGPR + MA applications resulted in higher water productivity for water consumption and decreased irrigation quantities also increased water productivity for irrigation quantity applied. The most striking result was that all PGPR + MA applications resulted in significantly higher water consumption and water productivity for irrigation quantity applied values at all irrigation levels compared to the fully irrigated control treatment. Therefore, it would be possible to optimize water productivity, with water saving and squash yield increases from PGPR + MA applications in terms irrigation water management.

Effect of Organic Manures and Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth, Yield and Quality Traits of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)” cv. Punjab ChappanKaddu

The present investigation was conducted during 2019 at DAV University, Jalandhar, to find out the effect of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on the growth and yield of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cv. Punjab Chappan Kaddu. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments and three replications. Out of these, an application of 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T8) had a beneficial effect on minimum days to the first female flower (74.67 days), minimum days to the first fruit set (76.33), minimum days to the first fruit harvest (78.33). The maximum plant height (122.85cm) was recorded in 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 25t/ha (T5). 75% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM (Effective Micro-organism) Bokashi 2.5q/ha (T9) resulted in minimum days to male flower appearance. The maximum sex ratio (0.38), was obtained with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM Bokashi 3q/ha (T10). The maximum number of pickings (26) and number of fruit per plant (9.85) were obtained with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM Bokashi 3q/ha (T10). The maximum fruit yield per plant (2.20 kg), fruit yield per plot (26.26 kg), fruit yield per ha (405.57q) were recorded with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T7). The maximum Total Soluble Solids (TSS) (2.40B°) were recorded with the application of 75% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 20t/ha (T3) while, the ascorbic acid was maximum (52.50 mg/100g) when 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T8) were applied. The highest net returns and benefit: cost (4.5) were obtained when 50% of recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 25t/ha (T4) was applied.