Organic fertilization enhances the crop yield and quality of zapallo tetsukabuto

Abstract

Globally speaking, optimizing the use of organic fertilizers plays a significant role in sustainable agriculture and is essential for enhancing crop productivity and improving soil health, while organic fertilizers are also easily available at a low cost. This study specifically aimed to determine the influence of organic fertilizer incorporation (high and medium levels) practices versus chemical fertilization with urea on the crop yields and quality of zapallo tetsukabuto. This included a control treatment without fertilization. Agronomic quality was evaluated by measuring the main performance parameters of the hybrid zapallo tetsukabuto (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata): REND yield (in kg) of the total fruit per plant per plot; NFRC, number of commercial fruit per plant per plot; NFRT, total number of fruit per plant per plot, grown following the production guidelines of the area. The research findings show that the yields with organic fertilizer with the highest dose of the compost incorporation treatments increased 30% compared to the unfertilized control, but with no significant differences to the urea-fertilized treatment (1%) for zapallo. That is, performance parameters were similar in the zapallo crop fertilized with compost and with urea. These trials demonstrate that compost is a sustainable alternative and an adequate source of nutrients for zapallo cultivation.