Effect of Organic Manure and Bio-Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted during 2022 at DAV University, Jalandhar, to find out the effect of organic manure and bio-fertilizer on growth and yield of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). The experiment consisted of twelve treatments viz. T1 (FYM @ 20 t/ha), T2 (vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), T3 (Neem cake @ 2.5 t/ha), T4 (Azotobacter @ 4 kg/ha), T5 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + FYM @ 10 t/ha), T6 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + vermicompost @2.5 t/ha), T7 (Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + neem cake @1.25 t/ha), T8 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha), T9 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + FYM @ 20 t/ha), T10 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + vermicompost @ 5 t/ha), T11 (PSB @ 4 kg/ha + Neem cake @ 2.5 t/ha), T12 (Control : RDF 60:125:25 kg NPK) and one variety (Green ball) and laid in RBD with three replications. Observations were recorded on growth parameters like plant height, number of days to male flower appearance, number of days to female flower appearance, number of days to fruit set, number of days to fruit harvest, sex ratio, number of branches, number of fruits per plant per picking, average fruit weight (g), yield parameter like marketable yield (q/ha) and quality parameter like TSS. It was observed that plants which were treated with (T6) Azotobacter @ 2 kg/ha + vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha resulted better in most of the growth, yield and quality parameters.