FERTILITY SOURCES

&

APPLICATIONS PUMPKIN TRIAL

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: Brad Bergefurd, Extension Agent, OSU Extension

COOPERATORS: Thom Harker, Research Assistant, OSU Extension Enterprise Center

Amanda Wilson, and Dwayne Taylor Summer Staff

Cloyce Gilliland, Sales Director, Eezy Gro

Southern State Community College/Hillsboro

ABSTRACT:

The objective of this 1997 trial was to evaluate the differences between applications of a liquid fertilizer application compared to a standard granular fertilizer application 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 liquid fertilizer solutions applications to a pumpkin crop may have benefits to Ohio producers.

METHODS:

Planting Date: June 12, 1997

Variety: Howden

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

Soil Type: Haubstadt Silt loam

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

Pest Management: Furadan 3.8 fl. oz./1,000 ft. of row as a 7 inch band over the row

.5 lb./acre Benlate 8/8, 8/27, 9/4, 9/13, 9/22

1.3 qt./acre Thiodan 8/8, 9/4, 9/22

2 lb./acre Bravo Ultrex 8/8, 8/27, 9/4, 9/13, 9/22

IRRIGATION: NONE

Treatment # 1. Liquid Fertilizer - Pre-plant application rates per acre.

Treatment #1. At planting application rates per acre.

Treatment #1. Foliar Fertilizer applications with regular spray program.

Treatment #2. Granular Fertilizer - Pre - plant application rate per acre.

Table 1. Yields and harvest data from the Fertility Sources & Applications

Pumpkin Trial: OSU Extension/Enterprise Center, Hillsboro, Ohio 1997. Harvest Date 10/16/97

Results

There was no significant difference between the average fruit weight and the marketable number of orange and green tons per acre between the two treatments. There was a significant difference between the number of marketable fruit per acre. Treatment #1 (Liquid fertilizer) had about half the number of fruit per acre , 650, compared to treatment #2 (granular fertilizer) which had 1250 fruit per acre.

First year results from this trial indicate that a grower may be able to utilize a total or partial liquid fertilizer program on a pumpkin crop , however an analysis will need to be made regarding the costs, additional or reduced management requirements and additional equipment needs or modifications that are required for a transition to use of liquid fertilizer materials. There are several different types of liquid and granular fertilizers available on the market, therefore all types may not give similar results under different growing conditions. Growers should consult university and company field research results, experience by other growers, soil test results, as well as small acreage "On Farm" testing and experience of these products BEFORE making drastic changes in their present fertilizer programs.

Table 2: Weather data from the 1997 growing season.