FERTIGATION of PUMPKINS TRIAL

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: Bob Precheur, Vegetable Specialist, Horticulture & Crop Science

Brad Bergefurd, Extension Agent, OSU Extension

COOPERATORS: Thom Harker, Research Assistant, OSU Extension

Amanda Wilson and Dwayne Taylor, Summer Staff

ABSTRACT:

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the differences between applications of half the nitrogen applied at preplant and the other half applied by trickle irrigation, compared to a standard grainular fertilizer application with the full amount of nitrogen applied at preplant and the effects on yield and fruit quality of a pumpkin crop.

The outcomes of this project should provide information to growers, researchers, crop specialists and Extension Agents in determining if half the nitrogen rate applied by trickle irrigation to a pumpkin crop may have benefits to Ohio producers.

METHODS:

Planting Date: July 2, 1997

Variety: Howden

Spacing: Rows 10 feet apart, seeded within the row 3 feet apart.

Soil Type: Haubstadt Silt Loam

Fertilizer: Treatment 1 120 lbs. N, 120 lbs. P205 and 120 lbs K20 per acre.

Treatment 2 60 lbs. N, 120 lbs. P205 and 120 lbs K20 per acre. 28% nitrogen was fed through the trickle to supply the rest of the nitrogen in treatment 2.

Weed Control: 4 pt./acre Curbit 3EC, Hand Hoed and cultivated as needed.

Pest Management: Furadan 3.8 fl. oz./ 1000 ft. of row as a 7 inch band over the row

.5 lb./acre Benlate

1.3 qt./acre Thiodan

2 lb./acre Bravo Ultrex

IRRIGATION: 7/18, 8/7, 8/14, 8/22, 8/29, 9/5, 9/12,

Table 1. Yields and Harvest data from the Fertigation of Pumpkin Trial: OSU Extension Enterprise Center, Hillsboro 1997. Harvest Date 10/8/97

Table 2. Weather data from the 1997 growing season.

Results:

There was an average fruit set throughout the growing season, harvest yield and quality attributes were collected and observed. The half nitrogen treatment applied as a preplant had the most tons per acre, although the full rate of nitrogen treatment was only about a ton less per acre. The average fruit weight was higher on the trickle irrigated treatment as compared to the conventional preplant fertilizer treatment. There was no significant difference between the half rate of nitrogen preplant treatment and the full rate of nitrogen preplant treatment. Results from this years trial indicate that a grower may be able to utilize a fertilizer program where half of the nitrogen is applied as a preplant application and the rest fed through the trickle irrigation line. Trials similar to this trial will need to be conducted again to give average results over several growing seasons.