MINERAL AND ORGANIC FERTILIZER OF THE HYBRID SQUASH: GROWTH

Abstract

In order to evaluate the response of hybrid squash cv. Tetsukabuto to mineral (NPK) and organic compost, seven experiments were carried out in Ponte Nova, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, on a yellow-red cambic podsoil. Each experiment constituted one sampling date, which began at the 21st  day and ended at the 105th day after sowing, with 14 days intervals. In these experiments five fertilizing treatments were tested plus a control (no treatment). In the fertilizing treatments, defined by a diagonal section of a complete factorial, rates of 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 t/ha (dry basis) of organic compost, associated with rates of 0.772, 0.579, 0.386, 0.193 and 0 t/ha of NPK (4-14-8), respectively, were applied with four replications in a randomized blocks design. The mineral and organic compost association increased the knots number in the main branch, the overall branches length and the dry matters of the aerial part, reproduction part and fruits. At 105 days after sowing, the highest dry matter percentage in the fruit, and the smallest vegetative growth, were obtained when the mineral fertilizer was replaced by the organic compost. On this day, the reproductive part dry matter reached a maximum of 1,997 g/ plant with 6,914 kg/ha of organic compost and 327 kg/ha of NPK.

KEY-WORDS: Hybrid squash; organic compost; mineral Fertilizer; growth.