Characteristics of growing zucchini for mulching of soil in the conditions of Forest-Steppe of Right-Bank Ukraine

Abstract

By results of researches it is established that application of mulching the soil with straw, sawdust and black polythene bag had a positive impact on growth, development, yielding capacity and biometric indicators of zucchini production. The use of black polyethylene film accelerates passage of phenological phases of growth and development of plants zucchini, then as the mulch materials of organic origin straw and sawdust delayed the onset of phenological phases of development. The duration of the interphase periods, exercised influence measures soil mulching. So, the shorter the period of germination – the beginning of the formation of the fetus was for the mulching of soil by polyethylene film black – 29 days, the duration of which is 8 days less in comparison with the variant without mulch.

The beginning of fruit formation – technical maturity did not differ significantly between the studied variants, however, is shorter than it was for soil mulching with black polyethylene film and on the control and amounted respectively to 4 days. One of the most important indicators that affect the value of the crop duration of fruiting. The longest period of fruiting lasted options when mulching the soil with polyethylene film black – 92 days, and on the control of the 82 days, that is 10 days shorter. The results of the research revealed the influence of mulching materials on biometric indicators of zucchini plants. The greatest length of stalk in phase three true leaves was observed on plants when mulching the soil with polyethylene film black – 16,4 cm, and control – 13.8 cm, which is 2.6 cm less. Options experience use as a mulch material straw and sawdust, also had a greater length of the stem relative to the control where the gain was 1.0, and 0.7 cm, respectively. Stem thickness in all tested variants did not differ significantly and ranged from 3.2 to 3.5 mm.

The largest area of leaf surface in phase three true leaves had plants with soil mulching by polyethylene film black – 55,8 cm²/plant, which is 8.1 cm²/plant more in comparison with a variant where the mulching material was not used. However, all investigated options had a greater leaf area relative to control.

A positive effect of mulching materials on biometric indicators of zucchini plants was observed on all variants of the experiment relative to the control. Analyzing biometric indicators of zucchini plants shows that all the mulching materials had contributed to their increase compared to the control. The greatest length and thickness of stem, number of leaves and their area was noted for soil mulching with black polyethylene film. Thus, the length of the stem when applying the polyethylene film black 64.3 cm, 5.5 cm more than the control. Stem thickness and leaf number more than 2.7 mm and 6.2 PCs/plant relative to the control, respectively.

An important indicator in the evaluation of biometric indicators of zucchini plants is the leaf area. The greatest she was in the mulching of soil by polyethylene film black – 7.1 thousand m²/ha, 1.0 thousand m²/ha, respectively, more control.

For the period of technical ripeness conducted biometric measurements, according to which the greatest length of the stem formed plants when mulching the soil with polyethylene film black – 82,6 cm, 15.1 cm more from the variant without mulch. The greatest thickness of the stem in the phase of technical ripeness had plants with soil mulching by polyethylene film black – 32.4 mm, more control at 4.0 mm.

The crop size is the main factor that determines the influence of the mulch material. During the period of the research, the value of the crop was uneven and depended on the mulch material.

Higher yields in years of research received in 2015, due to more favorable conditions for the growth and development of squash. The most optimal conditions for growth, development and yield formation of squash was in the mulching of soil by polyethylene film black – 52,1 t/ha, where growth relative to the control was 10.2 t/ha. In General, all the mulching materials had contributed to the formation of greater yields compared to no mulch. The significance of this difference is confirmed by the results of analysis of variance on years of research. It is established that soil mulching on yield of zucchini was affected on average by 85.5 %.

The importance in cultivation of agricultural plants, including zucchini, is the quality of products, in particular biometric indicators that affect the value of the harvested crop.

Mulch materials contributed to the formation of a larger number of zucchini fruits per plant. The greatest number of fruit received for the mulching of soil by polyethylene film black – 15,3 PCs/plant, which is 1.4 PCs/plant more control. In embodiments, when mulching soil with straw and sawdust, the increase of this indicator was at the level of 0.2 and 0.4 PCs/plant more than the control variant. The greatest weight of the fetus have formed plants when mulching the soil with polyethylene film black – 313 This variant was further characterized by the greatest diameter of the fruit to 5.0 cm, and is 0.3 cm more than the control. The smallest weight and diameter of the fruit was received in the variant without mulch.