Effect of Organic Manures and Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth, Yield and Quality Traits of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)” cv. Punjab ChappanKaddu

The present investigation was conducted during 2019 at DAV University, Jalandhar, to find out the effect of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on the growth and yield of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cv. Punjab Chappan Kaddu. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments and three replications. Out of these, an application of 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T8) had a beneficial effect on minimum days to the first female flower (74.67 days), minimum days to the first fruit set (76.33), minimum days to the first fruit harvest (78.33). The maximum plant height (122.85cm) was recorded in 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 25t/ha (T5). 75% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM (Effective Micro-organism) Bokashi 2.5q/ha (T9) resulted in minimum days to male flower appearance. The maximum sex ratio (0.38), was obtained with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM Bokashi 3q/ha (T10). The maximum number of pickings (26) and number of fruit per plant (9.85) were obtained with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM Bokashi 3q/ha (T10). The maximum fruit yield per plant (2.20 kg), fruit yield per plot (26.26 kg), fruit yield per ha (405.57q) were recorded with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T7). The maximum Total Soluble Solids (TSS) (2.40B°) were recorded with the application of 75% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 20t/ha (T3) while, the ascorbic acid was maximum (52.50 mg/100g) when 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T8) were applied. The highest net returns and benefit: cost (4.5) were obtained when 50% of recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 25t/ha (T4) was applied.