Plant Spacing and Variety Affect Pumpkin Yield and Fruit Size, but Supplemental Nitrogen Does Not

Field studies were conducted at two locations in 1995 to determine the effect of spacing, nitrogen application, and variety on pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) marketable yield. Pumpkin yield was unaffected by three rates of applied N (67, 112, or 157 kg N·ha-1). Marketable fruit number per hectare increased with both 'Howden' and 'Wizard' pumpkins as in-row plant spacing decreased from 1.2 to 0.3 m. Average fruit size significantly decreased at the closer spacing, but the decline in mass was much greater in nonirrigated as compared to irrigated plots. This resulted in a significantly greater yield in the irrigated plots at the closer spacing, while there was no significant increase in yield without irrigation. The results demonstrate that growers may increase the number of fruit per unit area with closer spacing but optimal soil moisture may be a prerequisite for the increase.

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Effect of Bicyclopyrone on Triploid Watermelon in Plasticulture

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2018.36 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 439-443 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Matthew B. Bertucci ◽

Katherine M. Jennings ◽

David W. Monks ◽

David L. Jordan ◽

Jonathan R. Schultheis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Total Yield ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Field Studies ◽

Yield Response ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Triploid Watermelon ◽

Marketable Fruit ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

AbstractField studies were conducted to determine watermelon tolerance and yield response when treated with bicyclopyrone preplant (PREPLANT), POST, and POST-directed (POST-DIR). Treatments consisted of two rates of bicyclopyrone (37.5 and 50 g ai ha–1), fomesafen (175 g ai ha–1), S-metolachlor (802 g ai ha–1), and a nontreated check. Preplant treatments were applied to formed beds 1 d prior to transplanting and included bicyclopyrone (37.5 and 50 g ha–1) and fomesafen (175 g ha–1), and new polyethylene mulch was subsequently laid above treated beds. POST and POST-DIR treatments were applied 14 ± 1 d after watermelon transplanting and included bicyclopyrone (37.5 and 50 g ha–1) POST and POST-DIR, and S-metolachlor (802 g ai ha–1) POST-DIR. POST-DIR treatments were applied to row middles, ensuring that no herbicide contacted watermelon vines or polyethylene mulch. At 2 wk after transplanting (WAT), 15% foliar bleaching was observed in watermelon treated with bicyclopyrone (50 g ha–1) PRE. At 3 WAT, bicyclopyrone (37.5 and 50 g ha–1) POST caused 16% and 17% foliar bleaching and 8% and 9% crop stunting, respectively. At 4 WAT, initial injury had subsided and bicyclopyrone (37.5 and 50 g ha–1) POST caused 4% and 4% foliar bleaching and 4% and 8% crop stunting, respectively. No symptoms of bleaching or stunting were observed at 6- and 8-WAT ratings. Watermelon total yield, marketable yield, total fruit number, marketable fruit number, and average fruit size were unaffected by herbicide treatments. Therefore, registration of bicyclopyrone (37.5 and 50 g ha–1) PREPLANT, POST, and POST-DIR would offer watermelon producers a safe herbicide option and a novel mode of action for weed management.

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Plant Population Affects Yield and Fruit Size of Pumpkin

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.6.1076 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 1076-1078 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Stephen Reiners ◽

Dale I.M. Riggs

Keyword(s):

Growth Habit ◽

Plant Competition ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Field Studies ◽

Plant Population ◽

Lower Yield ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Row Width

Field studies were conducted in 1996 on two pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) cultivars, `Howden' (vining-type growth habit) and `Wizard' (semi-bush growth habit), at two locations to determine the effect of plant population and row width on marketable yield. Increasing plant populations from 2990 to 8960 plants per hectare resulted in significantly greater fruit number and yield at both locations and for both varieties. Average fruit size declined at the highest populations. Increasing row width from 1.8 to 3.6 m resulted in a slight but significant decrease in number of fruit per hectare with no effect on other yield parameters. At one location, the effect of row width on yield and number of fruit per hectare depended on the population. At low populations, row width did not influence yield or fruit number; at high populations, wide rows produced lower yield and fewer fruit than narrow rows. The results demonstrate that growers may increase pumpkin yield by increasing plant populations but should use narrower row widths and wider in-row spacing. Growers who choose higher populations should ensure that all inputs are optimized to reduce potential plant-to-plant competition and use regionally adapted cultivars.

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Tolerance of Cucurbits to the Herbicides Clomazone, Ethalfluralin, and Pendimenthalin. I. Summer Squash

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.4.632 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 632-636 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Timothy L. Grey ◽

David C. Bridges ◽

D. Scott NeSmith

Keyword(s):

Untreated Control ◽

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Field Studies ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Summer Squash ◽

Plant Injury ◽

Methods Of Application

Field studies were conducted in 1993, 1994, and 1996 to determine the tolerance of several cultivars of zucchini and yellow crookneck squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) to various rates and methods of application of clomazone, ethalfluralin, and pendimethalin. Applying herbicides preplant soil incorporated (PPI), preemergence (PRE), at seedling emergence (SE), or early postemergence (EPOT) resulted in plant injury that varied from 0% to 98%. Ethalfluralin and pendimethalin (PPI) at 1.12 kg·ha–1 a.i. resulted in the greatest stand and yield reductions across all cultivars. Fruit number and weight declined for all cultivars in 1993 and 1994 as the amount of pendimethalin applied PRE was increased. Zucchini (`Senator') fruit size was significantly reduced for the first three harvests in 1993 by PRE application of pendimethalin or PPI application of ethalfluralin, at all rates. Yellow squash (`Dixie') fruit size was unaffected by herbicide treatment for any harvests during 1993 or 1996. Yellow and zucchini squash yield, fruit number, and average fruit weight were equal to, or greater than, those of the untreated control for PRE clomazone using either the emulsifiable concentrate formulation (EC) during 1993, 1994, and 1996 or the microencapsulated formulation (ME) during 1996. Foliar bleaching and stunting by clomazone was evident in early-season visual observations and ratings, but the effect was transient. Foliar bleaching by clomazone PPI (1.12 kg·ha–1 a.i.) was more evident in `Senator' zucchini, and yield was significantly reduced in 1993. These effects of clomazone PPI were not evident in 1994 for either `Elite' or `Senator' zucchini squash. Chemical names used: 2-[(2-chlorophenyl)methyl]-4, 4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidinone (clomazone); N-ethyl-N-(2-methyl-2-propenyl)-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzenamine (ethalfluralin); N-(1-ethylopropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine (pendimethalin).

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Effects of Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) on Growth, Yield, and Nutrient Status of Transplanted Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500075810 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 775-778 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Prasanta C. Bhowmik ◽

Krishna N. Reddy

Keyword(s):

Unit Area ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Field Studies ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Marketable Fruit

Field studies were conducted to determine the effects of various barnyardgrass populations on growth, yield, and nutrient concentration of transplanted “Jetstar’ tomato. Barnyardgrass densities at 16, 32, and 64 plants/m tomato row were tested in 1982 and 1983. Barnyardgrass shoot fresh weights/unit area increased as density increased. Fresh weight of barnyardgrass shoots ranged from 17 100 kg/ha at 16 plants/m of row to 35 500 kg/ha at 64 plants/m of row. At the vegetative stage, tomato shoot dry weight was unaffected by barnyardgrass. As crop growth progressed, tomato shoot dry weight decreased at all barnyardgrass densities. Season-long interference of barnyardgrass reduced marketable tomato fruit number and fruit weight at all densities compared to weed-free plots. Reductions in marketable fruit weight ranged from 26% to 16 plants/m row to 84% at 64 plants/m row. In 1982, concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in tomato shoots were unaffected by season-long interference of barnyardgrass at all densities. However, in 1983, concentrations of N and K decreased and concentration of P increased in tomato leaves as the density of barnyardgrass increased. Concentrations of Ca and Mg in tomato leaves were unaltered by barnyardgrass density.

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PLANT SPACING, COLD TREATMENT, AND FLOWER VIBRATION INFLUENCE ON GREENHOUSE TOMATO PRODUCTION

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.29.7.732c ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 29 (7) ◽

pp. 732c-732

Author(s):

Benjamin G. Mullinix ◽

Sharad C. Phatak ◽

Janet Cooper

Keyword(s):

Monte Carlo ◽

Unit Area ◽

Cold Treatment ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Plant Spacing ◽

Fresh Market ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Tomato Cultivars

Six tomato cultivars [Hotset, Petra, Stella, Big-O, Tropic, & Monte Carlo (fresh market)] were grown in a greenhouse in 1979 from July through November in 3 experiments. Exp. 1: The first two cultivars were used in a 15 cm, 30 cm, or 45 cm in-row spacing with rows spaced 60 cm apart. Cumulative fruit number and weight per unit area declined with increasing in-row spacing. Exp. 2: The first four cultivars were subjected to either cold or no cold treatment during germination before transplanting. No differences were found between the two treatments for mean fruit weight or total fruit number. Exp. 3: The last two cultivars were subjected to both the cold treatment and flower vibration. Cumulative fruit weight was greater for vibrated flowers. Greater mean fruit weight occurred earlier with cold treatment and declined significantly later in season, and was more pronounced in Tropic than Monte Carlo.

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546 PB 090 OPTIMIZING TOMATO YIELDS IN HIGH TUNNELS

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.29.5.509f ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 509f-509

Author(s):

Otho S. Wells

Keyword(s):

Fruit Size ◽

Field Conditions ◽

Yield Response ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Tomato Production ◽

Low Input ◽

High Tunnels ◽

Comparable Experiment ◽

Marketable Fruit

Tomato production in high tunnels is very intensive, although relatively low-input. However, optimal use of every square foot of growing space is critical to maximizing returns. Utilizing the basket-weave trellis system, `Ultrasweet' tomatoes were grown in 4 (replicated), 14-foot-wide high tunnels in 4 rows per tunnel at 3.5 ft between rows. In-row spacing of 12, 18, and 24 inches was combined with removal of sideshoots below the first flower cluster: one or three shoots at 18 and 24-inch spacing and none or one at 12-inch spacing. The highest marketable yield per plant was 22 lbs at 24 inches and three sideshoots, while the lowest yield per plant was 13.9 lbs at 12 inches and no sideshoots. The highest yield per sq ft was 4.2 lbs at 12 inches and no sideshoots, while the lowest yield per sq ft was 2.5 lbs at 24 inches and one sideshoot. The yield response to spacing and side-shoot removal was inverse for lbs per plant and lbs per sq ft. There was no difference in fruit size among any of the treatments. In a comparable experiment under field conditions, the highest yield per plant was 12.6 lbs at 24 inches and one sideshoot; and the highest yield per sq ft was 2 lbs at 12 inches and one sideshoot. The percentage of marketable fruit in the tunnels and in the field was 93.0 and 85.1, respectively.

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Specialty Melon Cultivar Evaluation under Organic and Conventional Production in Florida

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.23.6.905 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 905-912 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Wenjing Guan ◽

Xin Zhao ◽

Danielle D. Treadwell ◽

Michael R. Alligood ◽

Donald J. Huber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Size ◽

Organic Production ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

San Juan ◽

Root Knot Nematode ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Solids Concentration ◽

Certified Organic ◽

Conventional Field

Interest in producing specialty melons (Cucumis melo) is increasing in Florida, but information on yield performance, fruit quality, and disease resistance of specialty melon cultivars grown in Florida conditions is limited. In this study conducted at Citra, FL, during the 2011 Spring season, 10 specialty melon cultivars were evaluated, in both certified organic and conventionally managed fields, including: Creme de la Creme and San Juan ananas melon (C. melo var. reticulatus), Brilliant and Camposol canary melon (C. melo var. inodorus), Ginkaku and Sun Jewel asian melon (C. melo var. makuwa), Arava and Diplomat galia melon (C. melo var. reticulatus), and Honey Pearl and Honey Yellow honeydew melon (C. melo var. inodorus). ‘Athena’ cantaloupe (C. melo var. reticulatus) was included as a control. ‘Sun Jewel’, ‘Diplomat’, ‘Honey Yellow’, and ‘Honey Pearl’ were early maturing cultivars that were harvested 10 days earlier than ‘Athena’. ‘Athena’ had the highest marketable yield in the conventional field (10.7 kg/plant), but the yield of ‘Camposol’, ‘Ginkaku’, ‘Honey Yellow’, and ‘Honey Pearl’ did not differ significantly from ‘Athena’. Under organic production, ‘Camposol’ showed a significantly higher marketable yield (8.3 kg/plant) than ‘Athena’ (6.8 kg/plant). ‘Ginkaku’ produced the largest fruit number per plant in both organic (10 fruit/plant) and conventional fields (12 fruit/plant) with smaller fruit size compared with other melon cultivars. Overall, the specialty melon cultivars, except for asian melon, did not differ significantly from ‘Athena’ in terms of marketable fruit number per plant. ‘Sun Jewel’, ‘Diplomat’, and ‘San Juan’ showed relatively high percentages of cull fruit. ‘Honey Yellow’, ‘Honey Pearl’, and ‘Sun Jewel’ exhibited higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) than ‘Athena’ in both organic and conventional fields, while ‘Brilliant’, ‘San Juan’, and ‘Ginkaku’ also had higher SSC than ‘Athena’ under organic production. ‘Honey Yellow’, ‘Sun Jewel’, ‘Brilliant’, and ‘Camposol’ were less affected by powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera xanthii) and downy mildew (caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis) in the conventional field. ‘Honey Yellow’ and ‘Camposol’ also had significantly lower aboveground disease severity ratings in the organic field compared with ‘Athena’, although the root-knot nematode (RKN) (Meloidogyne sp.) gall rating was higher in ‘Honey Yellow’ than ‘Athena’.

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Potassium Application and Leaf Sufficiency Level for Fresh-market Tomatoes Grown on a Midwestern United States Fine-textured Soil

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.16.2.0247 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 247-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

H.G. Taber

Keyword(s):

Growth Habit ◽

Total Yield ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Size Difference ◽

Fresh Market ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Leaf Petiole ◽

Indeterminate Growth Habit ◽

Loam Soil ◽

Marketable Fruit

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) response to potassium (K) fertilization on a well-drained, central Iowa loam soil testing low in exchangeable K was evaluated over a 3-year period. Each year the experimental design was a factorial, split-plot randomized complete block with K rate as the whole unit (0 to 332 lb/acre). The subunit was cultivar, either `Mountain Spring' (determinate growth habit) or `Jet Star' (indeterminate growth habit). Fruit harvest began the first week of August and continued weekly for 5 to 8 weeks. For all years there was a significant K rate and cultivar effect for all parameters, but no interaction except for marketable fruit size and unmarketable fruit produced. Increasing the K rate to 103 lb/acre increased fruit size of both cultivars to a maximum of 8.9 oz, but year accounted for greater fruit size difference than the choice of cultivar. Maximum marketable yield for both cultivars occurred at 220 lb/acre K with `Jet Star' producing 13% more fruit than `Mountain Spring', 359 vs. 319 cwt/acre, respectively. Cullage was high, mostly as a result of blotchy ripening disorders, with `Jet Star' consistently producing more culls than `Mountain Spring'. Increasing K rate did not reduce the percentage of culls, which remained constant at about 29% of total yield. Whole-leaf K and leaf petiole sap K levels linearly increased with additional K rate for the two sample periods at flowering and mid-harvest. The whole-leaf K sufficiency level for both cultivars at the flowering stage of growth was determined to be 3.15% and dropped to 1.30% K by mid-harvest. Critical petiole leaf sap K values (using a dilution of 1:1 sap to water) could not be determined at flowering, but at mid-harvest the critical value was about 2200 to 2800 ppm K.

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Yield in Nonpungent Jalapeño Pepper Established at Different In-row Spacings

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.43.7.2018 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (7) ◽

pp. 2018-2021 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vincent M. Russo

Keyword(s):

Capsicum Annuum ◽

Total Yield ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Plant Spacing ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Marketable Fruit

It is not known how plant spacing affects fresh yield in transplanted nonpungent jalapeño peppers (Capsicum annuum L.). Transplants of a nonpungent jalapeño, cv. Pace 105, were established at 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, and 48 cm between plants in mid-April of 2006 and 2007 and in early July in 2007. Fruit were harvested once when 5% of marketable-sized pods in rows were red. Distance to first flower and yield characteristics were determined. Fruit were culled based on pod size and presence of blemishes. Height on the stem to the first flower averaged 15.8 cm over all treatments. Plants in the Spring 2006 season had the highest marketable and cull yields. Numbers of marketable fruit/ha were higher at the 8-cm spacing than at the 40- or 48-cm in-row spacings. There was little difference in marketable yield as a result of in-row spacing. The greatest number of cull fruit per plant was on plants spaced 48 cm apart. Plant spacing had no effect on number of cull fruit or cull yield/ha. Culls accounted for ≈22% of total yield. Individual cull fruit weights were ≈50% less than for marketable fruit. Spacings tested did not appear to greatly affect development or yield of this pepper. This will allow producers to have the option of either using fewer plants on the same amount of land or more plants on less land without much reduction of quantity or quality of yield.

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Evaluation of Pumpkin Cultivars for Powdery and Downy Mildew Resistance, Virus Tolerance, and Yield

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.2.281 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 281-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anthony P. Keinath ◽

Virginia B. DuBose

Keyword(s):

Downy Mildew ◽

Coastal Plain ◽

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Days To Maturity ◽

Marketable Fruit ◽

Growing Conditions ◽

Magic Lantern

Twenty-six cultivars and two numbered selections of Cucurbita pepo L. pumpkin and four cultivars of C. maxima Duchesne pumpkin were evaluated in field experiments in 1996 and 1997 in Charleston, S.C. The four C. maxima cultivars (`Mammoth Gold', `Big Max', `Rouge Vif d'Etamps', and `Lumina') and three C. pepo cultigens (HMX 6686, HMX 6688, and Magic Lantern) had lower powdery mildew [Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlechtend.:Fr.) Pollacci] severities than did the other C. pepo cultivars. Overall, C. maxima cultivars also had less foliage showing virus symptoms and less downy mildew [Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk.& M.A. Curtis) Rostovzev] than did C. pepo cultigens. Mid- and long-season cultigens of both species (≥100 days to maturity) produced a greater number of marketable-quality fruit than did short-season cultigens. Cucurbita maxima and C. pepo produced similar numbers of marketable fruit; however, more potential marketable yield was possible in C. maxima since most fruit were affected by virus. The C. pepo cultigens Spookie, HMX 6686, and Spooktacular produced the greatest numbers of marketable fruit. In general, no cultigens were well-adapted to the growing conditions of the humid coastal plain of the southeastern United States.

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