Plant Population Affects Yield and Fruit Size of Pumpkin

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

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.6.1037 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 1037-1039 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Stephen Reiners ◽

Dale I.M. Riggs

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Unit Area ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Field Studies ◽

Plant Spacing ◽

Nitrogen Application ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Marketable Fruit

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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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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Deficit Irrigation and Plant Population Effects on Leaf Quality and Yield of Spinach

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.4.1095d ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 1095D-1095

Author(s):

Daniel I. Leskovar ◽

Giovanni Piccinni ◽

Darrin Moore

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Spinacia Oleracea ◽

Plant Population ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Leaf Quality ◽

Use Efficiency

A two-year experiment was conducted to determine yield, water use efficiency, and leaf quality responses to deficit irrigation and plant population of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Three irrigation regimes were imposed with a center pivot system, 100%, 75%, and 50% crop evapotranspiration rates (ETc). Spinach seeds were planted on 11 Nov. 2003 at three plant populations: 494 (P-1), 618 (P-2), and 741 (P-3) thousand seeds/ha on cvs. DMC 16 and ASR 157, and on 15 Oct. 2004 at four plant populations: 655, 815, 988, and 1149 thousand seeds/ha on cv. DMC 16. Harvests were done on 3 Mar. 2004 and 26 Jan. 2005. In the first season, marketable yield was not reduced by deficit irrigation, but water use efficiency was significantly higher for 50% ETc compared to 100% ETc. The cv. DMC 16 had a significantly lower percentage of stem weight than ASR 157 (8.3 vs. 16.4%). The cv. ASR 157 had an excess of stem weight at 100% and 75% ETc compared to 50% ETc at P-1, but similar at P-2 and P-3. The cv. DMC 16 had a trend of reduced stem weight for P3 at 50% ETc. In the second season, marketable yield was reduced by deficit irrigation. However, water use efficiency was significantly higher for 50% ETc compared to 100% ETc, but similar to 75% ETc. Deficit irrigation also decreased the percentage of stem weight. Despite a slight increase in the percentage of of yellow leaves, but not in percentage of of stem weight, marketable yield and water use efficiency were significantly higher at 1149 thousand seeds/ha. This study showed that deficit irrigation in combination with increased plant population has the potential to increase yield and water savings, without adversely affecting leaf quality.

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The effect of plant population and distribution on the yield and quality of swedes

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600085397 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 91-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. W. Lang ◽

J. C. Holmes

Keyword(s):

Total Yield ◽

Population Level ◽

Plant Population ◽

Plant Spacing ◽

Lower Yield ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Small Roots ◽

Regular Spacing

1. An investigation into the effects of plant population level and irregularity of plant spacing on the yield and quality of swedes is reported.2. There was no significant evidence that irregular plant spacing, such as might be produced by mechanical singling, gave a lower yield than regular spacing.3. Total yield of roots was similar for all plant populations tested (range 15,000–50,000) but at low populations both the number and weight of diseased roots was greater than at higher populations.4. As the population was increased, the drymatter percentage in the roots increased due to the higher proportion of skin on small roots compared with large roots.

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Plant Population and Spacing Effects on Processing Tomato Growth and Yield

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.573f ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 573f-574

Author(s):

Mark A. Bennett ◽

Elaine M. Grassbaugh

Keyword(s):

Cultural Practices ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Field Research ◽

Plant Population ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Processing Tomato ◽

Spacing Effects ◽

Important Processing

Processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) producers in the Great Lakes region have expressed interest in cutting crop establishment costs and improving profitability by reducing plant populations. This study compared plant development, fruit set, fruit size and yields using a range of single and twin-row plant populations (14,800 to 44,500 plants/ha) and four commercially important processing tomato cultivars (`OH8245', `H9036', `PS696', and `H7135') with differing vine types and maturities. The 3-year study was conducted at Fremont, Ohio, on a Colwood fine sandy loam, using raised beds and other standard cultural practices. Six- to seven-week-old transplants (288 cell size) were mechanically planted in middle to late May. Once-over harvest was timed to achieve 80%–90% red fruit, using a Johnson tomato harvester. Plant population had a significant effect on 1995 fruit yields for all cultivars tested. Optimum red fruit yields were observed at 37,100 plants/ha in twin-rows for `OH8245', which was similar to 1994 results. Optimum fruit yields for `PS696' were obtained at twin-row populations of 29,600-44,500 plants/ha in 1995. Three year results for `OH8245' (medium-sized vine) indicate no significant differences due to plant population or arrangement. Mean red fruit yields varied considerably by year in this field research (62.7, 95.2, and 44.8 MT/ha in 1993, 1994, 1995 respectively), but twin-row spacing of `OH8245' provided significant yield gains in 2 of 3 years for populations of 29,600 plants/ha or greater.

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Bell Pepper Yields Not Affected by Stand Deficiencies or Replanting

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.7.2.138 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 138-142

Author(s):

Regina P. Bracy

Keyword(s):

Capsicum Annuum ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Field Studies ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Average Weight ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Pepper Plants

Field studies were conducted in Spring 1991, 1992, and 1993 to determine if stand deficiencies of 10%, 20%, or 30% affected bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) yield and fruit size. Subsequent replanting to a 100% stand and timing of replanting also were evaluated for effects on fruit yield. Stand deficiencies of up to 30% and replanting to a complete stand 2 or 3 weeks after initial transplanting did not affect yield per acre and average weight per fruit of bell pepper plants grown on polyethylene-mulched beds during 3 years of tests. Bell pepper plants grown in 10%, 20%, or 30% deficient stand had greater marketable yield per plant than plants grown in 100% stand. Replanting to a complete stand 3 weeks after initial transplanting decreased early marketable yield and production per plant over replanting 2 weeks after initial transplanting.

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Plant Density Influences Marketable Yield of Directly Seeded `Piquillo' Pimiento Pepper

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.7.1584 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (7) ◽

pp. 1584-1587 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. Gil Ortega ◽

M. Gutierrez ◽

J. Cavero

Keyword(s):

Capsicum Annuum ◽

Plant Density ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Harvest Date ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Date Fruit ◽

Plant Densities

Pimiento pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum L. `Piquillo') was directly seeded on raised beds in double rows 0.35 cm apart. Plants were thinned within the row to establish densities ranging from 13,333 to 186,667 plants/ha. Marketable yield of pepper increased as plant density increased to 100,000 plants/ha. However, with plant densities >100,000 plants/ha, marketable yield did not increase (2001) or slightly decreased (2000). Plant density affected pepper yield only in the first harvest date. Fruit number and fruit weight per plant decreased with increasing plant populations. Weight per fruit decreased slightly at densities >100,000 plants/ha. The increase in yield per hectare as plant density increased was mainly a result of increased number of fruit per hectare. The intercepted PAR by the pepper canopy increased with increases in plant density to about 100,000 plants/ha and this increased interception of PAR resulted in an increase in yield. Plant densities in the range of 100,000 to 120,000 plants/ha were optimal in terms of marketable yield.

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Plant Population and Nitrogen Fertilization for Subsurface Drip-irrigated Onion

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.39.7.1722 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (7) ◽

pp. 1722-1727 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Clinton C. Shock ◽

Erik B. G. Feibert ◽

Lamont D. Saunders

Keyword(s):

Soil Water Potential ◽

Plant Population ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Higher Plant ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Subsurface Drip ◽

Fertilizer Rates ◽

N Fertilizer Rate

Onion (Allium cepa L.) production in the Treasure Valley of eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho has been based on furrow irrigation with 318 kg·ha-1 N fertilizer and average yields of 70 Mg·ha-1, but these practices have been implicated in nitrate contamination of groundwater. Drip irrigation, introduced in the early 1990s, has several advantages, including reduced leaching losses. Since onion plant populations and N fertilizer rates can affect economic returns, studies were conducted in 1999, 2000, and 2001 to determine optimum plant populations and N fertilizer rates for subsurface drip-irrigated onion. Long-day onion (`Vision') was subjected to a combination of seven nitrogen fertilization rates (0 to 336 kg·ha-1 in 56-kg increments applied between late May and early July) and four plant populations (185, 250, 300, and 370 thousand plants/ha). Onion was grown on silt loam in two double rows spaced 0.56 m apart on 1.1 m beds with a drip tape buried 13 cm deep in the bed center. Soil water potential was maintained nearly constant at -20 kPa by automated irrigations based on soil water potential measurements at a 0.2-m depth. Onion bulbs were evaluated for yield and grade after 70 days of storage. Onion yield and grade were highly responsive to plant population. Onion marketable yield increased, and bulb diameter decreased with increasing plant population. Within the range of plant populations tested, gross returns were not always responsive to plant population. Returns were increased by the increase in marketable yield obtained with higher plant population, but higher plant population also reduced the production of the largest sized bulbs which had the highest value per weight. Onion yielded 95 Mg·ha-1 with no applied N fertilizer, averaged over plant populations and years. Onion yield and grade were not responsive to N fertilizer rate or interaction of N fertilizer rate with plant population. Preplant soil available N, N mineralization, and N in irrigation water all contributed N to the crop. Onion N uptake did not increase with increasing N fertilizer rate.

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