Nitrogen side dressing rates in two zucchini cultivars in Aquidauana, MatoGrosso do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

The zucchini is grown mostly by farmers who have a small area for cultivation, whereas the lack of knowledge in using the most promising cultivars and their demand for nitrogen limit their yield The objective of this study was to assess the responses of yield components of zucchini plants, cv. Menina Brasileira and cv. Piramoita, to nitrogen cover fertilization, in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A completely randomized design in a 2x4 factorial scheme, combining two zucchini cultivars (Menina Brasileira and Piramoita) and 4 (four) nitrogen cover rates (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^-1), with three repetitions, was used. The variables numbers of fruit per plant, mean fruit weight and mean fruit per plant weight were determined. Tukey’s comparison test at 5% probability was used for the cultivars, and the regression analysis was used for the nitrogen rates. It could be concluded that the nitrogen levels significantly influenced the number of fruits per plant and the weight of fruits per plant of both zucchini cultivars. With the tested doses, it is not possible to find the number and the maximum mass of fruits per plant.