The Effects of Pruning and Potassium Nutrition on Some Morphological Traits and Seedling Properties of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of pruning and potassium nutrition on pumpkin grain yield and quality, a factorial experiment based on complete block design with four replications was carried out in nooshar village of ardabil province, Ardabil, Iran, in 2007. Experimental factors include potassium nutrition in three level (0, 75 and 150 kg/ha from potassium sulfate) and stem pruning (without pruning, pruning after 8th node formation and pruning after the 12th node formation). Results indicated that stem pruning decreased grain number in fruit and fresh/dry weight of grain per fruit, 1000 grain weight, grain germination, seedling growth criteria and increased fresh/dry weight of grain per plot. Potassium increased grain number in fruit, fresh/dry weight of grain per fruit, 1000 grain weight, grain germination and seedling growth criteria.