Worm castings and naphthaleneacetic acid in the growth and yield of zucchini in shade houses

Abstract

The cultivation of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) under protected conditions has limitations, such as low fruit set due to poor pollination, which affect the commercial yield and profitability of the crop. The investigation was carried out to know the influence of earthworm humus (HL) and naphthaleneacetic acid (ANA) on the growth and yield of two zucchini cultivars in shade houses. A randomized block experimental design with eight treatments and 10 repetitions was used. The treatments influenced plant height, leaf area index, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, plant dry weight and fruit set; however, there were no differences because of the treatments in stem diameter, leaf greenness and number of leaves. With the HMX58 cultivar, the highest plant height was obtained: while because of the Prestige cultivar, the highest index of leaf area, dry weight of leaves and dry weight of the whole plant. The highest yield was obtained with the HMX58+LC treatment, while fruit set and number of fruits increased because of earthworm humus. The diameter and weight of the fruit increased because of ANA in both cultivars, and the length of the fruit in the Prestige cultivar.