Search

Copyright of Journal of Plant Protection & Pathology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Planting a cover crop living mulch between plastic mulch beds in fresh market vegetable production can reduce soil erosion and runoff, and offers an opportunity to grow an income generating cash crop alongside a soil building cover crop. However, potential negative impacts on yield, variable weed control, unclear impacts on soil health, and limited management recommendations challenge adoption of this practice, despite grower interest. In a two-year study in southwest Michigan, living mulches were evaluated in the production of plasticulture organic summer squash (Cucurbita pepo cv. Lioness) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Paladin). Strategies evaluated included three common grower practices (cultivation, dead straw mulch, mowing ambient weeds) and three mowed living mulch treatments (Italian ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum] monoculture, rye [Secale cereale] monoculture, and a Dutch white clover [Trifolium repens]/rye mixture). We determined the impact of these strategies on weed control, organic matter inputs, vegetable crop performance, nitrogen retention, and soil microbial communities. We found that cultivation and dead mulch provided superior in-season weed control, reducing weed biomass by an average of 86% compared to 18% among living mulch treatments, with associated reductions in the weed seedbank compared to living mulches and mowed weeds. In most cases, living mulch establishment was a challenge and weed biomass on average accounted for 99, 74, and 94% of organic matter inputs in rye, ryegrass, and clover/rye treatments, respectively. Squash performance was unaffected by our treatments, but pepper yield reductions ranged from 41 to 54% in all treatments relative to cultivation in one of two years. Living mulches and the weedy treatment showed the ability to reduce end-of-season potentially leachable nitrogen by 61% compared to cultivation and dead mulching. Soil microbial abundance and functional diversity were similar across treatments, but extracellular enzyme activity was higher in dead mulch, living mulch and weedy treatments compared to cultivation. Results from this study help quantify tradeoffs between common grower practices for managing weeds and soil between plastic mulch beds, highlight key challenges with living mulch alternatives, and identify areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to determine some genetic parameters of summer squash (cucurbita pepo L.), half diallel cross among eight inbred lines carried out in summer season 2021 at field of College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Duhok. The experiment lay out using randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that the mean square for all genotypes was highly significant effect in all studied traits. The inbred lines LBL2 and CNS2881 was superior in yield plant-1 obtained 9.67 kg and 10.94 kg, the crosses (CNS2881 x PEP1670) and (PEP1670 x N33133) recorded the highest value 13.83 and 13.53 respectively. The crosses (PEP512 x, CNS2881), (CNS2881 x PEP1670) and (PEP1670 x N33133) revealed significant heterosis for most traits. The heritability in broad sense was higher than narrow sense heritability in all traits ranged between 0.949 and 0.827 for fruit diameter and fruit weight. The average degree of dominance was higher than one in all traits except fruit length and fruit diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was conducted at Kaha Vegetable Research Farm in the Kaliobia Governorate from 2021 to 2023 with an aim to evaluate the performance of six inbred lines of summer squash and their fifteen crosses in both open field and plastic greenhouse conditions. The study spanned two successive summer seasons (2022 and 2023) and focused on assessing horticultural traits and resistance levels to the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Significant variations were observed in the mean performance of all traits among different genotypes. Analysis revealed significant differences in both general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities for all studied traits, except for the number of days to anthesis of the first female flower, indicating the presence of both additive and non-additive gene effects in traits inheritance. In the plastic greenhouse, genotype P3 exhibited the highest resistance with an average of 10.6 mites per 2 inches², while the cross P2 × P6 showed tolerance with an average of 4.4 mites per 2 inches². This study highlights the potential of new summer squash hybrids with desirable horticultural traits and resistance to the two-spotted spider mite. Additionally, parent 222/2 (P1) demonstrated the best combining ability for all traits, while parents 264 (P5) and 240/3 (P4) were the most effective combiners for total yield. Breeders may leverage these parents for genetic enhancement and the production of hybrids with superior horticultural qualities. Overall, this research provides valuable insights for researchers, breeders and farmers involved in the cultivation, breeding and utilization of summer squash in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment using 5 treatments viz., T1 -Dark blue polythene mulch, T2 - Light blue polythene mulch, T3- Black polythene mulch, T4 -Paddy straw mulch and T5 -- control was conducted to investigate the impact of various types of mulch material on growth, yield, and quality of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) Cv. Pusa Alankar under the valley conditions of Srinagar Garhwal. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with five replications. The effect of mulching materials on almost all the growth, yield, and quality parameters under study was found to be statistically significant. The results revealed that the treatment T2 had maximum plant height (81.33 cm) and plant spread (61.12 cm) at harvest. It also showed the maximum collar diameter (1.92 cm) and the minimum days taken for the appearance of the first female flower (30.29 days). Moreover, it exhibited a higher fruit setting percentage of 78.52%, the minimum days taken to the first fruit harvesting (41.28 days) and the maximum number of fruits per plant (7.38), average fruit length (25.26 cm), and yield per plant (3.46 kg). In contrast, the treatment T4 resulted in the maximum plant height at 15 DAT (21.21 cm), average fruit weight (484 g) and fruit diameter (4.68 cm). On the other hand, treatment T1 demonstrated significant effects in terms of plant height at 45 DAT (46.73 cm), plant spread at 30 DAT (32.08 cm), and the number of harvestings (5.05). The experimental findings were diverse, with each treatment showing its influence on different parameters. However, considering the results, the treatment T2 - Light blue polythene mulch appears to be the most suitable option for enhancing the production of summer squash under the valley conditions of Srinagar Garhwal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluated the performance of summer squash genotype for growth and yield attributes. Topics discussed include significant socioeconomic of squash in India, mean performance of summer squash genotype for various growth and yield attributes, significant differences observed among the different genotypes.

This article, published in the journal Environment & Ecology, discusses the impact of organic manure and bio-fertilizers on the growth and yield of summer squash. The researchers conducted an experiment with twelve different treatments and observed various growth and yield parameters. The results showed that the treatment with Azotobacter and vermicompost resulted in better growth, yield, and quality. The study suggests that the use of organic and bio-fertilizers can promote sustainable production of summer squash. Additionally, the document provides a list of references for further research on the effect of integrated nutrient management and fertilizers on various crops. [Extracted from the article]

Planting a cover crop living mulch between plastic mulch beds in fresh market vegetable production can reduce soil erosion and runoff, and offers an opportunity to grow an income generating cash crop alongside a soil building cover crop. However, potential negative impacts on yield, variable weed control, unclear impacts on soil health, and limited management recommendations challenge adoption of this practice, despite grower interest. In a two-year study in southwest Michigan, living mulches were evaluated in the production of plasticulture organic summer squash (Cucurbita pepo cv. Lioness) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Paladin). Strategies evaluated included three common grower practices (cultivation, dead straw mulch, mowing ambient weeds) and three mowed living mulch treatments (Italian ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum] monoculture, rye [Secale cereale] monoculture, and a Dutch white clover [Trifolium repens]/rye mixture). We determined the impact of these strategies on weed control, organic matter inputs, vegetable crop performance, nitrogen retention, and soil microbial communities. We found that cultivation and dead mulch provided superior in-season weed control, reducing weed biomass by an average of 86% compared to 18% among living mulch treatments, with associated reductions in the weed seedbank compared to living mulches and mowed weeds. In most cases, living mulch establishment was a challenge and weed biomass on average accounted for 99, 74, and 94% of organic matter inputs in rye, ryegrass, and clover/rye treatments, respectively. Squash performance was unaffected by our treatments, but pepper yield reductions ranged from 41 to 54% in all treatments relative to cultivation in one of two years. Living mulches and the weedy treatment showed the ability to reduce end-of-season potentially leachable nitrogen by 61% compared to cultivation and dead mulching. Soil microbial abundance and functional diversity were similar across treatments, but extracellular enzyme activity was higher in dead mulch, living mulch and weedy treatments compared to cultivation. Results from this study help quantify tradeoffs between common grower practices for managing weeds and soil between plastic mulch beds, highlight key challenges with living mulch alternatives, and identify areas for future research.

Species Cucurbita pepo L., which includes marrow, squash, hard-barked pumpkin and a number of other crops, has a high polymorphism both in plant structure and in shape, size, color of the bark and fruit pulp. The color of the bark of the fruits of this species can be white, cream, yellow, green, orange with or without a pattern. Appearance can greatly influence the marketing success of new hybrids among the target audience. This is explained by the fact that there are strong regional consumer preferences regarding the color of fruits, although most often, on the shelves of chain stores, in fresh or canned form, you can find fruits of bright, saturated colors and shades. At the same time, brightly colored fruits are more often used for canning, while light-colored ones are used for processing into caviar [1]. Paris H.S. and Brown R.N. summarized the identification of more than 80 gene loci that affect fruit color in Cucurbita pepo L., some of which are multi-allelic [2]. The color of the fruit in hard-barked pumpkin depends on the presence and interaction between the loci responsible for this trait, and many other factors, including growing conditions [3,4]. In cucurbits, in different phenophases, different genes are responsible for color [5–7]. All this makes the selection of summer squash and scallop on the basis of the color of the fruit bark very difficult. Knowing the genetics of coloration can make this task easier. In this article, we tried to summarize the results of studies presented in foreign literature sources on the study of Cucurbita pepo L. genes responsible for the color of the surface of the fruit and pulp, its intensity, the presence or absence of a pattern of various colors and configurations. No domestic studies on this topic could be found.

This study was aimed to investigate combining ability and genetic parameters in summer squash (cucurbita pepo L.). Eight inbred lines of summer squash were crossed in line x tester method in summer season 2020. The parental lines (3 tester and 5 lines) and their off springs (15 hybrids) were planted out in the summer season 2021 at vegetable field, Horticulture Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Science, Duhok University. The experiment lay out using randomized complete block design with three replications. The results indicated that the mean square for genotypes were highly significant effect for tester, line and line x tester in all studied traits. The Tester LBL2 and line PEP1670 were the best combiner for days to 50% female flowering, number of fruit plant-1 and yield kg plant-1 . The crosses (LBL2 X N33133) and (LES3 X CNS2881) exhibited significant positive effect of specific combining ability for fruit length cm, number of fruit plant-1 and yield plant-1 . The heritability in broad sense were higher than narrow sense heritability for all studied traits ranged between 93% for days to 50% female flowering to 40% for fruit weight. The average degree of dominance less than one in all traits except days to 50% female flowering and fruit length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Digital Translation: International Journal of Translation & Localization is the property of John Benjamins Publishing Co. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ultraviolet radiation affected on cellular components indirectly via oxidative mechanisms involving the formation of free radicals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate morphological and physiological alterations in two varieties and their six hybrids of summer squash. Hybrids were extracted from hybridization between irradiated and nonirradiated plants via a half diallel crosses design. The genotype obtained from hybridization between P2 × M1~P2 promoted the number of leaves per plant if compared with nonirradiated parents. Meanwhile, the genotypes extracted from hybridization between P1×M1~P1, P1× M1~P2 and P2 × M1~P1promoted the leaf area per plant. However, total chlorophyll in fruits was decreased in the genotypes affected by UV-irradiation than the parental wild types. Extracted hybrid from hybridization between P2 × M1~P1recorded minimum days (46.33) to start the first packings of fruits. Meanwhile, the extracted hybrid from hybridization betweenP1× M1~P2 produced the highest number of fruits per plant, fruits weight per plant and average weight of fruit, all of which determined fruits yield per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Menoufia Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential micronutrients for the plant's growth, development, and metabolism, but in high concentrations, the elements disrupt normal metabolic processes. The present study investigated the effects of different concentrations (added to a Hogland-based solution) of zinc (control, 5, 10 mg L−1 ZnSO4) and copper (control, 0.1, 0.2 mg L−1 CuSO4) on the growth characteristics and biochemical indices of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). Compared with control, a single application of Cu or Zn at both concentrations significantly declined fruit yield, growth traits, pigments content, and high content of these minerals and values of stress-related indices. Increased Cu concentration in the nutritional solutions reduced the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX). Copper at high concentrations intensified ROS production, aggravated oxidative stresses, and decreased the plant yield and productivity. Nonetheless, combining Cu and Zn could alleviate stress intensity by boosting antioxidant enzymes, redox regulation, and a resultant diminishment in the content of H2O2, proline, malondialdehyde, and minerals. The obtained results corroborate that the co-application of zinc in Cu-contaminated areas can improve the plant's economic yield and physiological parameters by hindering copper toxicity and enhancing the photosynthetic capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraq Journal of Market Research & Consumer Protection / Al-Mağallaẗ al-ʿIrāqiyyaẗ li-Buḥūṯ al-Sūq wa-Ḥimāyaẗ al-Mustahlik is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The plants of summer squash, Cucurbita pepo, are monoecious, bearing their flowers in leaf axils. Plants of C. pepo subsp. pepo, which includes Cocozelle and Zucchini squash, bear one flower per leaf axil whilst plants of C. pepo subsp. texana, which includes Crookneck squash, differentiate two or more flower buds at nearly all leaf axils. This multiple-flowering trait, conferred by the single recessive gene mf, was introgressed from a Crookneck squash (subsp. texana) into several inbreds of Cocozelle and Zucchini squash (subsp. pepo) through six backcross generations. The nearly isogenic hybrids derived from crossing these inbreds, single- and multiple-flowered, were compared with one another in replicated field trials with the purpose of determining whether or not the multiple-flowering trait can significantly increase yields of Cocozelle and Zucchini under field conditions. The results showed that the multiple-flowering trait can increase yield in Cocozelle squash by as much as 60% and in Zucchini squash by 24%. The differences in yield between the respective multiple- and single-flowered hybrids were based on number of fruits produced. The yield differences were most greatly expressed from the end of the first week through the third week of harvest in the Cocozelle and during the third week of harvest in the Zucchini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment carried out at vegetables field of Horticulture and landscape department. College of Agriculture and Forestry. University of Mosul during the spring season (2018). The experiment included two factors. First was two hybrids of summer squash (MARVEL F1) and (ISMALIA F1), the second factor was included the seaweed extract (Acadian) at three concentrations of (0 , 2 and 4 gm.L-1). thus the experiment included 6 treatments (2 × 3). The experiment carried out in the field using split-plots system in R.C.B.D design the hybrids placed in the main plots while the sub plots included Acadian extract levels each treatment repeated three times. Analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test at 0.05 were applied for all recorded data. The results could be summarized as follows: Marvel and Ismailia hybrid plants did not differ in all studied flowering growth characteristics (appearance date of the first male and female flower (day) on the plant, number of male and female flowers (flower.plant -1), sexual ratio, set ratio of female flowers). The Acadian extract factor in both hybrids used showed it as the important and influencing factor in some studied traits, as its use led to significant results in some traits of flowering growth, and the treatments of Acadian extract at 2 and 4 g. L -1concentration did not differed between them significantly in most of the effects.

The nutrients requirement for Cucurbita pepo L. (summer squash) for optimal yield and quality fruits production can be achieved through adequate nutrient supply. A field experiment was carried out during the cropping season of 2015 and 2016 at Landmark University Teaching and Research Farm, Omu-Aran, Nigeria to investigate the impact of Tithonia diversifolia, poultry manure and NPK fertilizer on the growth, yield, mineral and vitamin C content in the fruit of C. pepo. The experiment consisted of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1, poultry manure at 10 tons ha−1, T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + Poultry manure 10 tons ha−1, T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + NPK (20:10:10), NPK (20:10:10) and control (no amendment of any kind) arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The growth and fruit yield of C. pepo using the mean of the two years was increased by 68% and 2% respectively by T. diversifolia + poultry manure as compared to control due to an increase in nutrient availability in the soil with the amendment used. Also, Vitamin C content and Mg value of the fruit was increased by application of T. diversifolia as soil amendments as compared to the control. While the application of NPK fertilizer alone significantly increased the Ca, Mn and Fe contents of fruits. Fruit content of K was increased by 39 % by the application of T. diversifolia + NPK. Therefore, for the purpose of growing squash for the quality of fruits (vitamin C), the use of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 as organic fertilizer is sufficient for the cultivation, while for growing the crop with interest in quantity, application of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + poultry manure at 10 tons ha−1 is recommended.

Copyright of Misr Journal of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential micronutrients for the plant’s growth, development, and metabolism, but in high concentrations, the elements disrupt normal metabolic processes. The present study investigated the effects of different concentrations (added to a Hogland-based solution) of zinc (control, 5, 10 mg L−1 ZnSO4) and copper (control, 0.1, 0.2 mg L−1 CuSO4) on the growth characteristics and biochemical indices of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). Compared with control, a single application of Cu or Zn at both concentrations significantly declined fruit yield, growth traits, pigments content, and high content of these minerals and values of stress-related indices. Increased Cu concentration in the nutritional solutions reduced the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX). Copper at high concentrations intensified ROS production, aggravated oxidative stresses, and decreased the plant yield and productivity. Nonetheless, combining Cu and Zn could alleviate stress intensity by boosting antioxidant enzymes, redox regulation, and a resultant diminishment in the content of H2O2, proline, malondialdehyde, and minerals. The obtained results corroborate that the co-application of zinc in Cu-contaminated areas can improve the plant’s economic yield and physiological parameters by hindering copper toxicity and enhancing the photosynthetic capacity.

Two experiments were carried out in the autumn season of 2018 and spring season of 2019 respectively. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of spraying individual and combination of amino acids and nano-boron on the viability and vigor of the seed of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). The treatments were sprayed with different concentrations of amino acids (0, 1.5 and 3 mL. L-1) symbolized as (A0, A1 and A2), respectively and different concentrations of the nano-boron (0, 4 and 8 mg. L-1) as named (B0, B1 and B2) respectively. The results demonstrated that, the treatment (A2) was significantly superior in all studied experimental indicators compared to the control treatment. Also, the B2 treatment was outperformed in the indicators of the viability and vigor of the seed for both autumn and spring seasons. The bilateral interaction between amino acids and Nano-boron (A2 and B2) was significantly superior in all experimental indicators which represent qualitative characteristics of the seed as compared with the control treatment for both autumn and spring seasons. In conclusion, spraying summer squash with combination of amino acids and nano-boron improved the viability and vigor of the seed in both autumn and spring seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential benefits of different cover crops, biological control amendments, and vegetable rotation on soil chemical and biological properties, crop development and yield, and disease development in organic vegetable production, as represented by legume (green bean, Phaseolus vulgaris), cucurbit (yellow summer squash, Cucurbita pepo), and solanaceous (sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum) vegetable crops, were evaluated in a multi-year field trial in Maine, USA. Cover crops evaluated included winter rye (Secale cereale)/hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), mustard (Brassica juncea) green manure, a multi-species mixture (8 crops), and a fallow control. Overall, cover crops had only marginal effects on soil chemical properties, but all cover crops improved biological properties (microbial activity, populations, respiration) compared to fallow soil. The multi-species mixture and rye/vetch cover crops were associated with earlier emergence in beans and squash. All cover crops improved yield in beans and squash by 7–13%, but only the cover crop mixture increased yield for pepper (by 7–11%). Minimal crop diseases were observed throughout these studies, and biological control amendments, which included commercial formulations of Streptomyces, Trichoderma, and Bacillus sp., in general, did not positively affect yield, but reduced powdery mildew on squash and leaf necrosis on beans by 10–28%. The vegetable rotation also had significant effects, with beans yielding 8% higher following squash vs. pepper, squash yielding 15% higher following beans vs. pepper, and pepper yielding 11% higher following beans vs. squash. These results help define specific management practices to improve organic vegetable production and provide useful information and options for growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was carried out at Private Farm (The Experimental Farm of Sand Valley Company) at Ismailia Governorate, Egypt during the two summer seasons of 2016 and 2017 to study the response of vegetative growth, leaf pigments, yield and fruit quality of some summer squash cultivars (Haitek, Kortoba, Otto, Rivera and Shamis) grown in sandy soil to foliar spray with some antioxidants [Salicylic acid (SA), Vitamin B1 and Vitamin C] at 100 ppm of each. The interaction between Revira cultivar and spraying with SA or with Vitamin C at 100 ppm of each increased number of leaves/ plant, leaves dry matter and leaf relative water content (%), crude protein and Vitamin C content in fruits, whereas the interaction between Revira or Shamis cultivars and spraying with SA at 100 ppm increased plant height, concentration of chlorophyll a in leaf tissues, total yield/ fad., total carbohydrates and TSS in fruits. The interaction between Shamis cultivar and spraying with Vitamin B1 or Vitamin C at 100 ppm of each increased concentration of chlorophyll b in leaf tissues, but decreased the concentration of carotenoides in leaf tissues. On the other hand, spraying Otto cultivar with tap water gave the lowest value for each of chlorophyll a, b but recorded the highest concentration of carotenoides in leaf tissues, followed by Haitek and Kortoba, while spraying Kortoba cultivar with tap water gave the lowest value of total yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diyala Agricultural Sciences Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Portable handheld near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) instruments currently present enormous advantages in terms of size, weight, and robustness. They also provide fast, precise information that can be obtained in situ, and they represent a viable option for controlling vegetable safety and quality during the growth period. The aim of this research was to evaluate three handheld portable NIRS instruments for in situ and real‐time analysis of intact summer squashes. Traditional methods were used to analyze 221 summer squashes, and this work was used to develop calibration models for morphological, safety, and quality parameters. The longitudinal distribution of nitrate content in summer squashes weighing over 400 g was also studied, and the evolution of this parameter during the harvest period was tracked to determine which summer squashes and which zones of the vegetables (peduncle, equatorial, or stylar) could be earmarked for baby‐food production. RESULTS: The robustness of the calibration models confirmed the expectations raised by NIRS technology for morphological, safety, and quality control of individual summer squashes, and the models developed with the MicroNIR‐1700 instrument were those that provided more accuracy and precision, being the peduncle zone the part with higher nitrate content. CONCLUSIONS: It is in the peduncle zone, therefore, where measurements of this parameter must be carried out to decide on the destination of the harvested product. Summer squashes picked at the end of the harvest are those that must be used for baby‐food production. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of zinc sulfate on the qualitative and production characteristics of two varieties of Summer Squashplanted underplastichouses. The study was included two factors: the first factor was two varieties of Summer Squash(V1 Carisma) and (V2 Alexandria) and the second factor was represented by five concentrations of zinc sulfate (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 mg). The experiment was of Randomized Complete Block Design RCBD design with three replicates as a factorial experiment (2 x 5). The experiment included 10 treatments and 30 units, each unit includes 8 plants. The obtained results were analyzed by SAS program and the averages were compared by the Duncan Multipliers test at a probability level of 5%. The present results showed that the varieties varied in most productivity and quality traits. Alexandria was significantly higher in the number of male and female flowers, number of fruits, weight of fruit, plant yield, total yield and carbohydrates with mean values of 16.13 flower/Plant-1, 35.19 flower/Plant-1, 14.28 fruit/Plant-1, 172.08 g/Plant-1, 2.40 kg/plant-1, 4.03 ton/B-1 and 17.38% respectively. Spraying with zinc sulfate at concentration of 75 mg/L-1resulted in a significant increase in the number of male flowers, the fruit weight, plant yield and the total yieldwith means of 18.00 flower/plant-1, 179.17 g/plant-1, 2.51 kg/plant-1 and 4.22 tons/ B-1 respectively. Additionally, the interaction between Alexandria and sprayingwith a concentration of 75 mg/L-1of zinc sulfate was significantly higher in the number of male and female flowers, number of fruits, fruit weight, plant yield, total yield and carbohydrates. The highest sex ratio (2.57) was noted in the treatment of the interaction between Carisma and spraying with a concentration of 75 mg/L-1 of zinc sulfate which was superioron the other interaction treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Ege Universitesi, Ziraat Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• NIRS for the quality and safety assessment in summer squashes. • Optimization of the measurement process using both, a LVF and a FT-NIR instruments. • In-situ and on-line analysis of summer squashes using NIRS technology. Currently, there is growing interest from the producers and the vegetable processing industry to use from farm to fork, non-destructive analysis techniques as a routine step to ensure the quality and safety of horticultural products. This interest, coinciding with the development of new instruments adapted for use both in the field and on the production line, has led to Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) becoming an increasingly practicable option for meeting the demand. The aim of this work was to develop and optimize NIRS analysis methodology using two spectrophotometers: the first is the MicroNIR™ 1700, a manual, portable instrument based on Linear Variable Filter (LVF) technology, ideally suited to analysing horticultural products in the field, and the other is the Matrix-F, based on Fourier Transform (FT) NIR technology and suitable for online analysis in the processing industries. A total of 230 summer squashes were used to predict the quality (dry matter and soluble solid content) and safety (nitrate content) parameters. For the MicroNIR™ 1700, the comparison between the equations developed confirmed that taking of point spectra (static mode) was the most suitable way of analysis to measure both the quality and safety parameters. In the case of the Matrix-F instrument, it was confirmed that a single spectrum taken online for the intact product as it moves on the conveyor belt (dynamic mode) is enough to establish the product's quality and safety during industrial processing, thus allowing it to be incorporated easily and conveniently into the production line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control of cucurbit pests, such as striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) and squash bug (Anasa tristis), in organic systems is difficult due to a lack of effective insecticide options. This has led to the development of many integrated pest management techniques, such as use of row covers, crop rotation and cover crops. This study explored the novel use of strip tillage and row covers to reduce pest pressure in summer squash (Cucurbita pepe) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production systems. Results showed that although strip tillage reduced striped cucumber beetle and squash bug numbers, there was a yield reduction in both crops compared with the plasticulture system. Row cover increased marketable yield in both systems, with the highest yield being in the plasticulture system. Unmarketable fruit directly attributed to insect damage was higher in the plasticulture systems, but was not significantly different when compared with the strip tillage system. Although there are many documented positive attributes of strip tillage, results from this study indicate that a combination of plasticulture and row cover may be a superior system for organic cucurbit production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water resources are very scarce in northern China. In order to improve the utilization efficiency of brackish water and agricultural water resources, Mulch drip irrigation with brackish water has been widely studied. Mulch drip irrigation with brackish water is a highly efficient irrigation technology that combines brackish water and mulch drip irrigation, which not only saves water but also makes full use of brackish water resources. In order to quantitatively calculate the effects of mulch drip irrigation with brackish water on soil water salt and summer squash yield, the water salt transport model and water salt production function of mulch drip irrigation with brackish water were established according to the characteristics of soil water-salt transport under mulch drip irrigation with brackish and summer squash growth experiment. A prediction simulation model of soil water-salt transport and yield was established by combining the two models under mulch drip irrigation with brackish water. In order to verify the model, experiments with two groups of summer squash under mulch drip irrigation with brackish water were carried out. The first group was the growth experiment of summer squash under mulch drip irrigation with different salinity of brackish water (1.7, 3.5, 5.0 g/L). The second experiment was to study the effects of different irrigation levels and different salinity of brackish water on the growth of summer squash under mulch drip irrigation. Three irrigation levels were set at seedling stage, vine-pumping stage and flowering and fruiting stage, namely 70%-90% of field water holding capacity, 60%-80% of field water holding capacity, 50%-70% of field water holding capacity, respectively. The three levels of irrigation salinity were 1.7 g/L, 3.5 g/L and 5.0 g/L, respectively. A total of nine treatments were designed by orthogonal experiment. The results showed that the soil water content, soil salt content and yield of the summer squash calculated by the model was in agreement with the trend of the measured soil water content, soil salt content and yield of the summer squash under mulch drip irrigation with brackish water. The root mean square error of the soil water content, soil salt content and yield of the summer squash calculated by the model was 0.049 cm3/cm3, 0.065 g/kg and 3.83 t/hm2, respectively. The average relative error of the soil water content, soil salt content and yield of the summer squash calculated by the model was respectively 5.17%, 7.42% and 5.84%, and the average absolute error of the soil water content, soil salt content and yield of the summer squash calculated by the model was respectively 0.047 cm3/cm3, 0.062 g/kg and 3.95 t/hm2. Therefore, the model had higher simulation accuracy and can be used to simulate the distribution and dynamic changes of soil water-salt and yield of summer squash under mulch drip irrigation with brackish water. The optimum scheme of drip irrigation under film with brackish water for summer squash was obtained by range method. The soil water content at seedling stage was controlled at 70%-90% of field water holding capacity, at sprouting stage was controlled at 60% - 80% of field water holding capacity, at flowering and fruiting stage was controlled at 60% - 80% of field water holding capacity, and the salinity of brackish water was 1.7 g/L. However, brackish water with salinity of 3.5 g/L can also be used for irrigation in areas where freshwater resources are very scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agromyzid leafminers cause damages in ornamental and horticultural crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the number of adults of L. huidobrensis trapped in sticky traps in C. maxima var. zapallito and connect this with the total leaves, leaves damaged and parasitoids at different monitoring dates, and determine the correlation between the number of larvae and parasitoids, according to the number of galleries per leaf. Six traps were placed in a commercial plot, and they were replaced weekly. The total and damaged leaves were recorded weekly in 15 randomly picked plants. Damaged leaves were taken to laboratory where galleries per leaf were counted. Each leaf with a gallery was placed in a Petri dish until leafminer or parasitoid adults emerged. Liriomyza huidobrensis caused damage in in early crop stages. There was correspondence between adult population and damage and number of galleries per leaf with significant differences in the first monitoring date, which was not found with parasitoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study was conducted at the college of Agriculture/ Duhok University during August-November 2009, to study the effect of magnetic water treatment and phosphorus fertilizer rates (P0= 0, P1= 90, P2 = 180, P3 = 270) kg P2O5 ha-1 and their interactions on some nutrient uptake by summer squash plant in addition to their effect on some chemical properties soil at (0-15 and 15-30 cm) depth. Mulla-Ahmed seeds were sown in ridges 0.5 m apart. Half of the treatments were irrigated with well water and the other half with the same water after magnetization. The results indicated that magnetic water significantly increased dry weight of plants and also had significant effect on uptake of nutrients by plant and soil nutrients and they were significantly higher at 0-15 cm. An interaction of P3 x MW gave best uptake values by plant for most nutrients, higher concentration of calcium, magnesium, total nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil.

An essential step in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway is the formation of phytoene by phytoene synthase (PSY). In this study, three new genes coding PSYs (CpPSYA, CpPSYB, and CpPSYC) were cloned from Cucurbita pepo and their expression patterns analysed in three cultivars of summer squash which had a different carotenoid content. The gene sequences had a high similarity with those from other plant species, and their predicted proteins were significantly different from each other. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that CpPSYA and CpPSYB shared a high homology and were also homologous with PSYs from others cucurbits, whereas CpPSYC was more closely related to orthologues from strawberry and carrot. An expression analysis revealed that CpPSYA had a higher expression in flowers compared to leaves and showed a differential expression during fruit development. The amount of CpPSYA transcript was higher in fruits with a higher carotenoid content than in those with a lower carotenoid content. However, CpPSYB and CpPSYC showed a relatively high expression in leaves, and their expression in fruits varied among the different cultivars and fruit tissues. These results suggest that the CpPSY genes were under different regulatory mechanisms and they may have different roles in C. pepo.

This experiment was carried out at the vegetable research farm of Horticulture Department/ Faculty of Agriculture /Duhok University on two hybrids of summer squash during spring in the season of 2014, to study the effect of five color plastic mulches (without cover, transparent, black, red and blue) on two hybrids of summer squash (Amjed and Alexandra F1). The results showed that covers plastic mulches led to positive significant differences in leaf area (cm2), leaves chlorophyll content%, , fruit number/plant, early yield and total yield as well as fruit weight (g ), fruit length (cm) and fruit diameter (mm) as compared to without cover. There were no significant differences between the two hybrids in all detected traits. The interaction between covers plastic mulches and two hybrids was significantly enhanced all detected traits, since summer squash (Alexandra hybrid) covered with transparent plastic mulch were characterized by the highest values of leaf area (cm2), leaves chlorophyll content% and fruit diameter (mm), and summer squash (Amjed hybrid) covered with blue plastic mulch gave positive significant of fruit number/plant and total yields ton/ hectare

The experiment was performed to assess the possibility of overcoming NaCl salinity stress by foliar sprays of summer squash ‘Eskandrani’ with salicylic acid (SA) at the concentration of 10-6 M. NaCl treatment caused reduction of shoot fresh weight, leaf number per plant, fruit yield, concentrations of potassium in aerial parts, and the concentration of chlorophyll in leaves. Plants grown under salt stress conditions had higher shoot sodium concentrations than plants untreated with NaCl. Foliar application of SA ameliorated partly the negative effect of NaCl treatment. The beneficial effect of SA was also observed in non-stressed plants, increasing the shoot potassium accumulation and leaf photosynthetic pigments status, and decreasing sodium accumulation in shoots.

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is one of the most economically important viruses of cucurbit crops, causing severe mosaic, blistering of leaf lamina, malformation, and knobbed fruits, and presents an important biological variability. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of ZYMV in major summer (Cucurbita pepo), and winter squashes (C. maxima, and C. moschata) growing areas of Turkey-Samsun. Field surveys were made in 2015-2016 cropping seasons in major cucurbit growing regions. In five regions, 225 symptomatic samples were collected. Samples from three different species of Cucurbita were tested by biological and serological method using ZYMV polyclonal antiserum. Serological test results revealed that 84 out of 225 samples contained ZYMV, 34 out of 70 zucchini (C. pepo) samples, 28 out of 90 squash (C. maxima) samples containing ZYMV, and 22 out of 65 pumpkin (C. moschata) samples had ZYMV in 2015-2016. Three ZYMV isolates were obtained from zucchini at Carsamba (ZYMV-CA), winter squash at Tekkekoy (ZYMV-TE), and pumpkin at Bafra (ZYMV-BA), and their biological variability was detected on different hosts, including cucurbit crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Argentinian Horticulture / Horticultura Argentina is the property of Revista Horticultura Argentina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. [L.] scolymus Hayek), summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) are widely cultivated for their immature inflorescences, fruits and seeds, respectively. Nevertheless, in some areas of Puglia (Southern Italy), other organs of these species are traditionally used as vegetables, instead of being considered as by-products. Offshoots (so-called cardoni or carducci) of globe artichoke, produced during the vegetative growing cycle and removed by common cultural procedures, are used like to the cultivated cardoons (C. cardunculus L. var. altilis DC). The stems, petioles, flowers and smaller leaves of summer squash are used as greens (so-called cime di zucchini), like other leafy vegetables such as chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.). Also the plant apex of faba bean, about 5-10 cm long, obtained from the green pruning, are used as greens (so-called cime di fava) like spinach leaves. Moreover, crenate broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forssk.), a root parasite plant that produces devastating effects on many crops (mostly legumes), is used like asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) to prepare several traditional dishes. In this study ethnobotanical surveys and quality assessment of these unconventional vegetables were performed. For their content of fiber, offshoots of globe artichokes can be considered a useful food to bowel. Summer squash greens could be recommended as a vegetable to use especially in the case of hypoglycemic diets considering both content and composition of their carbohydrates. For their low content of nitrate, faba greens could be recommended as a substitute of nitrate-rich leafy vegetables. Crenate broomrape shows a high antioxidant activity and may be considered as a very nutritious agri-food product. Overall, the results of the present study indicate that offshoots of globe artichoke, summer squash greens, faba greens and crenate broomrape have good potential as novel foods, being nutritious and refined products. Their exploitation aiming to the obtainment of labeled and/or new potential ready-to-eat retail products could satisfy the demand for local functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Chemistry & Biotechnology is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)