Transplant Age Influences Summer Squash Growth and Yield

NeSmith, D. Scott

doi:10.21273/hortsci.28.6.618

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Yields overall were higher during 1993 than in 1992. Fruit counts per unit land area (mean of 12,906 and 21,760 fruit/ha in 1992 and 1993, respectively) and individual fruit weight (mean of 2.8 kg/fruit both years) were similar among the various transplant ages.These results agree with those for squash (NeSmith, 1993) and watermelon (Vavrina et al, 1993) and indicate that transplant age at planting (within reason) does not influence…”

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confidence: 89%

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Transplant Age Has Little Influence on Yield of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

NeSmith¹

1994

HortSci

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and within-row plant spacing was 90 cm. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete-block design with three replications. Each experimental unit was five rows wide by 13.9 m long. Fertilizer and pesticides were applied according to standard recommendations, and overhead sprinkler irrigation was used to supplement rainfall.A subsample of plants was taken the day of transplanting each year to determine leaf count, vine length, and shoot dry weight of the various transplant ages. Shoot dry weight was determined after oven-drying at 60C for 72 h. Yields were determined by harvesting the center three rows of each plot during six harvests each year. At each harvest, individual fruit were weighed and enumerated. Single degree of freedom contrasts were conducted for linear and quadratic effects of transplant age on yield at each harvest interval. An orthogonal contrast was used in 1993 to compare the yields of the seeded control to that of all transplants.At the time of transplanting, differences in growth and development of the various-aged transplants were substantial. Mean leaf counts per plant, along with standard errors, were 3.8 ± 0.2, 6.4 ± 0.2, 9.6 ± 0.2, and 11.8 ± 0.2 for 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week-old plants, respectively. Vine lengths at transplanting during 1993 averaged 7.5 ± 0.4, 19.6 ± 0.8, 34.8 ± 1.1, and 48.0 ± 1.6 cm for the 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week-old transplants, respectively. Shoot dry weight during 1993 averaged 0.1 ± 0.0, 0.8 ± 0.1, 1.4 ± 0.2, and 1.6 ± 0.1 g/plant for the 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week-old plants, respectively. The 6-and 8week-old transplants had started to flower by the time of transplanting each year.Despite growth and developmental differences among transplants at planting, transplant age had little effect on early or total yield of muskmelon as indicated by cumulative 1992 and 1993 yield data (Fig. 1). However, transplants of all ages produced a significantly (P ≤ 0.05) earlier yield than the seeded control during 1993. Yields overall were higher during 1993 than in 1992. Fruit counts per unit land area (mean of 12,906 and 21,760 fruit/ha in 1992 and 1993, respectively) and individual fruit weight (mean of 2.8 kg/fruit both years) were similar among the various transplant ages.These results agree with those for squash (NeSmith, 1993) and watermelon (Vavrina et al., 1993) and indicate that transplant age at planting (within reason) does not influence

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supporting

confidence: 89%

“…These results agree with those for squash (NeSmith, 1993) and watermelon (Vavrina et al, 1993) and indicate that transplant age at planting (within reason) does not influence…”

supporting

confidence: 89%

Transplant Age Has Little Influence on Yield of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

NeSmith¹

1994

HortSci

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“…Early yields (i.e., first harvest) were greater for transplanted watermelons in both years, which has been reported previously for cucurbit crops (Elmstrom, 1973;Hall, 1989;NeSmith, 1993NeSmith, , 1994NeSmith, , 1997. The reason for less total yield of direct seeded watermelons in 1996 is not clear.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 49%

“…3.3 a z 9.6 a 2.7 6.2 ------6.0 a 8.0 a Transplant 6.7 b 8.6 a ------------6.7 a 8.6 a 1996 Direct-seeded ------2.9 a 10.9 a 1.4 9.4 4.3 b 10.4 a Transplant 6.7 10.1 0.8 b 7.7 b ------7.5 a 9.9 a Advanced physiological age of transplanted seedlings does not always cause increased early or total yields as compared to direct seeded crops (Cooksey et al, 1994;Leskovar and Cantliffe, 1993). Also, advanced physiological age of different aged transplants has been shown to have no yield advantage for cucurbit crops (NeSmith, 1993(NeSmith, , 1994Vavrina et. al., 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While several studies have compared yields and above-ground growth of transplants and direct seeded cucurbit crops (Hall, 1989;NeSmith, 1993NeSmith, , 1994NeSmith, , 1997, few have examined root growth (Eigsti, 1971;Elmstrom, 1973). In fact, minimal research has focused on development of transplant root systems following planting and the role of seedling roots in stand establishment (Leskovar and Stoffella, 1995;Nicola, 1998).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Root Distribution and Yield of Direct Seeded and Transplanted Watermelon

NeSmith¹

1999

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Transplanting generally results in more rapid stand establishment than direct seeding for cucurbit crops. A 2-year field study was conducted to examine the pattern of rooting of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nak.] following usage of different planting methods, and to determine subsequent effects on crop yield. Root length was assessed by obtaining soil cores three times per growing season to a depth of 75 cm. Transplanted watermelons generally had greater root length density in the upper 30 cm of soil 4 to 7 weeks after planting (WAP). However, by 11 to 12 WAP root distribution was similar over the entire 75 cm soil profile for the two planting methods. Total marketable yields were comparable for direct seeded and transplanted watermelons during 1995, but transplanted watermelon yield exceeded direct seeded yield by 40% in 1996. In both years, 90% to 100% of the marketable yield of transplanted watermelons was obtained at the first harvest, compared to 0% to 55% for direct seeded watermelons. These findings suggest that rapid root proliferation of transplanted watermelons may be an important factor in their earlier establishment and increased early yields as compared to direct seeded watermelons.

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Cantliffe

2009

Horticultural Reviews

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Transplant Age Influences Summer Squash Growth and Yield

Cited by 23 publications

References 9 publications

Transplant Age Has Little Influence on Yield of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Transplant Age Has Little Influence on Yield of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Root Distribution and Yield of Direct Seeded and Transplanted Watermelon

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