Evaluation of Crop Setting Systems for Four Summer Squash Varieties Cucurbita maxima (Carr.) Millán var. zapallito

The advantages of transplanting with respect to direct sowing has been widely reported in several vegetable species, but there are few studies in Cucurbits, and even fewer in summer squash (Cucurbita maxima (Carr.) Millán var. zapallito). Morphological and physiological characteristics of hybrid varieties determine earliness of between 5 to 10 days compared to traditional cultivars. The aim of the study was to compare the summer squash setting systems, direct sowing and nursery seedlings, and to determine their effect on yield and earliness in different genotypes. The hybrid varieties F1 Angelo and Espejo, and the standard varieties Any and Any Plus were used combined with two setting systems (direct sowing and nursery seedlings). Male and female flowering dates were recorded. Number of total and marketable fruit, days to harvest, total weight and number of fruit per plant were measured and the average fruit weight was calculated. Early and total yield were determined, as well. Hybrid varieties F1 showed fewer days to harvest than standard varieties. Seedling systems produced an earlier harvest compared to direct sowing, independent of the genotype used. Hybrid varieties F1 had a higher number of total and marketable fruit per plant, independent of the setting system used. It was determined that standard varieties had lower early and total yields.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	De Grazia,Javier, Tittonell,Pablo Adrián, Salvador Perniola,Omar, Caruso,Ariel, Chiesa,Angel
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, INIA 2005
Online Access:	http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0365-28072005000200002
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