Production of Mineral Nutrient-Rich Multipurpose Pumpkin Fruits using Combined Nitrogen, Mulch and Gibberellic Acid

Abstract

The present study assessed effectsof nitrogen, mulch and gibberellic acid(GA3) onminerals and metabolites in pumpkin fruits. Nitrogen(0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha), three mulches (none,unpainted,black-painted rice straws) and GA3(0, 40 and 80 mg/L) were used in randomized complete block design, replicated three times in two seasons,and each plant occupied2mx2m space. Post-harvest data values were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS and means were separated using the least significant difference test (α=0.05).Nitrogen positively and significantly affected N, P and Mg. It negatively and significantly affected K, beta-carotene and TSS. Mulch positively and significantly influenced P, Mg and beta-carotene, but not TSS. GA3 positively and significantly affected Mg and beta-carotene, while it negatively and significantly affected N, P, and K. There was consistent significant effect of combined N, mulch and GA3on N, P, K, Mg and beta- carotene (highest 29 ppm was for N3M0GA0).Thus nitrogen, mulch, GA3, alone or combined consistently enhance mineral nutrients and metabolites in pumpkin fruits.