Effects of nitrogen fertilization method and tillage system on squash growth, nutrient uptake and fruit yield

Abstract

Squash, cv Dixie, grown on a Lakeland sand was subjected to factorial combinations of 3 tillage systems and 2 N application methods during 1979 and 1980. Fruit yield was greatest with a combination of moldboard plow tillage and application of 22 kg N/ha preplant and 18 kg/ha increments of N by fertigation 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks after planting. Plant growth and nutrient uptake were greatest and N available for potential contamination of the ground‐water was least with subsoil‐bed tillage and N application by fertigation. Disc harrow tillage with 67 kg N/ha preplant and 45 kg N/ha 4 weeks after planting resulted in 42% less yield, 61% less plant growth, 29 to 64% less nutrient uptake and more than 5 times as much N available for potential contamination of the groundwater as the best practices.

Key words:

• cucurbita pepo
• fertigation
• root growth
• groundwater contamination