Squash (cucurbita Pepo L.)

Two filed seasons were conducted during the summer seasons of 2010 and 2011 in the Experimental Farm at Demo, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, to increase nitrogen efficiency (ammonium nitrate 33.5% N; 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg fed-1) under three concentrations of humic acid as water solution 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5gL-1, in addition to the untreated as control to squash plants (Cucurbita pepo L.) (cv. Amjjed hybrid) grown in newly reclaimed saline soil..
      In comparison with control, all other rates significantly increased vegetative growth plant characters (i.e. number of leaves plant-1, stem length, total leaf area plant-1, leaf area leaf-1 and also, leaves, stem and canopy dry weight plant-1) as well as fruit yield and its components (i.e. number of fruits plant-1, yield plant-1 and total yield of fruits fed-1) except average of fruit weight. In addition, the concentrations of N, P and K % in leaves were increased, and Na and Cl were decreased. The same results were obtained with all nitrogen fertilizer rates; 200, 250 and 300 kg ammonium nitrate fed-1 as compared to the 150 kg fed-1 with some exceptions; P% was not affected and K% was decreased with increasing the rate of nitrogen.
      In view of the above mentioned results, it has been concluded that the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization increased with soil application of humic acid reflected on the growth and chemical composition and yield of squash (cv. Amjjed hybrid), and was the best treatment: the water solution of humic acid (1.5gL-1), with nitrogen fertilizer (250 kg) ammonium nitrate fed-1 where given a significant increase of total squash fruits yield fed-1 grown in newly reclaimed saline soil.

Microbial communities have effects on crop growth and productivity. However, these communities can be affected by various agricultural practices. The aim of this work was to determine the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with the cultivation of zucchini pumpkin established in the f ield under plastic padding. The abundance, richness and index of mycorrhizal diversity in the padded
cultivation of zucchini pumpkin were evaluated under three colors (white, black and red) of padding plastic during the summer-fall (S-F) and winter-spring (W-S) cycles established with the following treatments:
C (control), V (vermicompost), WPP (white plastic padding), WPP+V, RPP (red plastic padding), RPP+V, BPP (black plastic padding) and BPP+V. A randomized experimental block design with 10 replicates was used. The ANOVA showed signif icant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in mycorrhizal
Colonization, abundance and diversity index in both culture cycles. In addition, 21 morphospecies were identif ied in S-A and 12 in W-S. The BPP affected the AMF in all the variables evaluated. Seasonality conditioned mycorrhizal colonization, and the black padding affected the
endophyte-host symbiosis, in addition to affecting the mycorrhization, abundance, richness and diversity index of AMF. Knowledge on the diversity of AMFs is important to select the morphospecies with potential as biofertilizers

The squirting cucumber plant is widely used in the treatment of sinusitis, rheumatism, and hepatitis.It is reported that the liquid obtained from fruits is widely used in the treatment of sinusitis among people, especially in Turkey. The active components of Nigella sativa seeds are shown to be effective in inflammatory diseases caused by histamine. In this study, it was aimed to create a spray form by extracting Ecballium elaterium and Cucurbita pepo plants, which are easily found in almost every region of Turkey, mixing them with black cumin oil which is used widely and traditionally, and using inactive ingredients. Firstly, the amounts of cucurbitacin D, I, B, E from Ecballium elaterium were determined by HPLC and validation of cucurbitacin active substance analytical method was performed. Physicochemical properties of the nasal spray including pH, osmolality, specific gravity, and viscosity values were determined. Skin irritation, sensitization, and cytotoxicity tests were performed on the final product. The total amount of cucurbitacin D, I, B, E in squirting cucumber was found to be about 4% of the fruit juice. The proportion of these substances was also examined in squash juice and was found to be 0.033% for the respective amount. Skin irritation, sensitization, and cytotoxicity tests were performed in the obtained product and no adverse effects were observed. In addition, physicochemical parameters of the spray, such as pH, osmolality, specific gravity, and viscosity were measured. Results were found as 6.179, 630 mOsmol/L, 55.4 Mpa/s and 1,080 g/cm3 at ph 25 ºC, respectively.