Physicochemical characterization of zeolite and nutraceutical quality of Cucurbita pepo amended with this aluminosilicate and rows covered with plastic mulch

Abstract

The physical and chemical characteristics of the substrates employed in the present study with zuchinni plants were improved by the addition of zeolite to the soil at 20 and 40 T ha -1 . Zeolite increased total porosity and bulk density of the substrate, and also promoted a greater water retention capacity compared to control treatment. Concerning to fruit quality, zeolite significantly increased fruit diameter and in a similar way, plastic mulching increased fruit diameter and total yield. The interaction zeolite-PM showed highly significant differences in fruit length, diameter, total soluble solids and firmness of zucchini fruits, also they were positively affected by the interaction of zeolite and plastic mulch. Therfore, we conclude that growth, yield and quality of C. pepo plants could be improved by amending the soil with natural zeolite and by row covering with plastic mulching.