The effect of nitrogen fertilization methods on yield and chemical composition of pumpkin (Cucurbita Maxima) fruits before and after storage

Abstract

In field experiment pumpkin of Amazonka and Karowita cvs (Cucurbita maxima) were fertilized at the rate of 200 kg N-ha-1 in the following methods: 1-100 kg N-ha-1 preplant broadcasting+100 kg N-ha-1 as top dressing in form of 4 foliar sprays, 2-100 kg N-ha-1 preplant band placement on strips of 50 cm wide+100 kg N-ha-1 as top dressing broadcasted on total area of field, 3- placement of N in rate of 200 kg N-ha-1 as a nests placement 25 cm apart from plant, 4-organic fertilization with composted cattle manure at the rate of 40 t-ha-1 applied in 50 cm wide strips. There were estimated total and marketable yield and chemical composition of fruits before and after 90 days of storage. Broadcasting of nitrogen gave the higher yield of fruit than banded or nested placement of this nutrient. Banded placement of nitrogen affected in the highest vitamin C content as well as higher levels of total and reducing sugars and carotenoids than in other methods of nitrogen placement. Before storage the fruits had higher amounts of soluble solids, dry matter, carotenoids, vitamin C as well as total and reducing sugars than after 90 days of storage. © Copyright by RIVC.