Effects of drip irrigation of summer squash cultivated on the light soil

In the climatic conditions of Poland the temporary lack of rainfall during the vegetation season, influenced on the water deficits in the top soil level. This situation can effect on the height and quality of yields in particular years. There is estimated that in the - so called - Large Valleys Region the water deficiency ranged 200-300 mm. Production of cucurbit's vegetables in open field is strictly connected with thermal-rainfall conditions during the vegetation season. The optimal soil moisture is the very important factor for high and good quality yield. So, the production of the cucurbit plants should be connected with the irrigation installations. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of drip irrigation in cultivation of summer squash ‘Danka' under light soil conditions. The trials were conducted in the years 2004 - 2006 at the experimental field in Kruszyn Krajeński near Bydgoszcz - on a soil of rye weak complex. The plot area for harvest was 9,1 m2. The irrigation rates were done on the base of soil water potential according to tensiometer indications. The irrigation was started when the soil water tension was - 0,04 MPa. The fruits of the summer ...

INFLUENCE OF DRIP IRRIGATION ON THE YIELDING OF SUMMER SQUASH ‘WHITE BUSH’ UNDER RAINFALL-THERMAL CONDITIONS OF BYDGOSZCZ AND STARGARD

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of drip irrigation on yielding of summer squash ‘White Bush' grown under conditions of two localities: Lipnik near Stargard Szczeciński (soil of quality class IVb, and of good-rye-soil-complex) and Kruszyn Krajeński near Bydgoszcz (soil of quality class V, and of weak-rye-soil-complex). The study was designed as one-factorial trial: drip irrigation as the experimental factor was considered. Drip irrigation was conducted according to soil tensiometer indications (-0.04 MPa). Both, in Lipnik as well as in Kruszyn Krajeński, drip irrigation significantly increased marketable yield of summer squash ‘White Bush'. A higher rise in yields due to irrigation was obtained in Kruszyn Krajeński than in Lipnik. Mean marketable yield of summer squash fruits in Lipnik was higher than that obtained in Kruszyn Krajeński. Drip irrigation significantly increased the single fruit weight in relation to the control, in both crop localities. The system of drip irrigation significantly affected the number of fruits per plant. Summer squash plants grown in Lipnik produced higher number of fruits, than in Kruszyn Krajeński. In addition, essential influence of drip irrigation was affirmed on chemical composition of fruits, i.e. dry matter, vitamin C, monosaccharides, saccharose, content of total sugars ...