THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON

THE YIELD OF SQUASH

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for Soil Science 12

NATHANIEL SARINO
May 2023
INTRODUCTION
All pumpkins and squash are members of Cucurbitaceae (gourd family) as are
watermelons,cucumbers, muskmelon and gourds. Botanically there is no distinction between
squashes and pumpkins since both pumpkin and squash cultivars are found in these species
Pumpkins and squash originated in the Americas and were cultivated by the ancient
civilizations of Central and South America over 7000 years ago. All 4 species seem to have
originated and been cultivated in different areas of North and South America for many
purposes - edible seed, containers and edible fruit. Summer squash - is the edible fruit of any
species of cucurbita (commonly C. pepo) utilized when immature as a table vegetable. The
rind and seeds are soft and the vegetable is 100% edible. Winter squash - is the edible fruit of
any species of Cucurbita utilized when ripe (usually C. maxima or C. moschata) as a table
vegetable or in pies. The flesh is fine grained and of mild flavor so is suitable for baking. The
fruits have hard rinds and store well. Pumpkins - are the edible fruit of any species of
curcurbita (usually C. pepo) utilized for Halloween, livestock feed or in pies. The flesh is
somewhat coarse and may be strongly flavored and is not generally served as a baked
vegetable. Pumpkins and squash are warm season crops which are both cold weather and
frost sensitive. They are more cold hardy than cucumbers. The minimum temperature for
seed germination is 15 C, with a maximum of 38 C and an optimum range of 20 to 32 C. Best
crop growth occurs at 18 to 25 C, with a minimum of 10 C and a maximum of 32 C. Cultivars
requiring a long growing season should only be planted in the regions where grain corn can
be grown in fields which are sheltered since cold winds are detrimental to growth. Plastic
tunnels, row covers and/or plastic ground mulches benefit these crops. Well drained loams
well supplied with organic matter are optimal for early production. Heavier soils may be
used, if they are of good structure, for late season and storage production. These fields will
usually be rotated from a perennial forage crop the previous growing season. Squash and
pumpkins are mainly sold at roadside or through retail stores. Some go through wholesalers.
Squash are stored for roadside and wholesale markets from October to early March or
beyond. Hubbard squash store better than most buttercup but the market for this type is not
large. Some buttercup cultivars store better and have a much drier texture to the flesh.
Markets for winter squash are mainly served from local production but there is some potential
to replace winter imports with the use of storage buttercup squash. Pumpkins are marketed
mainly at roadside and through retail chain stores. Some get into the wholesale market.there
are a great range of size and types of pumpkins so some speciality markets may be developed
for certain types for carving, other or namental or other traditional
OBJECTIVES
This study will be conducted to evaluate the Effect of organic fertilizer on the yield of
squash;
1.To investigate the impact of organic fertilizers on the yield of squash.
2.To compare the effectiveness of different types of organic fertilizers on squash yield.
3.To assess the impact of organic fertilizers on the quality of squash produce.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
 Bone meal: A type of organic fertilizer made from ground-up animal bones that is
high in phosphorus.
 Compost: A type of organic fertilizer made from decomposed organic matter, such as
leaves, grass clippings, and food waste.
 Manure: Animal waste that is used as a fertilizer. Different types of animal manure
have different nutrient compositions and can affect soil pH.
 Nitrogen (N): A macronutrient that is essential for plant growth and is often a limiting
factor in crop production. Organic fertilizers can be a good source of nitrogen for
plants.
 Organic fertilizers: Fertilizers made from natural substances, such as animal manure,
compost, and bone meal, that provide nutrients to plants in a slow-release, natural
way.
 Phosphorus (P): Another macronutrient that is important for plant growth and is often
lacking in soil. Organic fertilizers can also provide phosphorus to plants.
 Slow-release fertilizer: A type of fertilizer that releases nutrients slowly over time,
rather than all at once. Organic fertilizers are often slow-release fertilizers.
 Squash: A type of vegetable that belongs to the gourd family, which includes varieties
such as zucchini, yellow squash, and pumpkin.
 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This chapter presents the literature related to this study, which provided researchers with important
insights, knowledge, and ideas necessary for their research. Five species of squash are grown
worldwide for their edible fruit and their seeds, variously known as squash, squash, or gourd,
depending on the species, variety, and local language. Another species of gourd, also called gourd, is
native to Africa and belongs to the same family and subfamily as Cucurbita, but in the genus
Lagenaria, which is in a different phylum. These other gourds are used as tools and containers, and
their young fruits are eaten in a manner similar to the Cucurbitaceae species.Pepoand C. Maxima was
also developed. Cucurbitaceae plants have two types of yellow or orange flowers.Women and men.
Female flowers produce fruit and male flowers produce pollen. The taxonomy of the genus is debated,
as the number of accepted species varies from 13 to 30. The five domesticated species are Cucurbita
argyrosperma, C. ficifolia and C. maxima, C. moschata and C. pepo. All of these can be treated as
winter squash, as the mature fruit can be stored for months. However, C. pepo includes some cultivars
that are better suited for use as summer squash only. Cucurbita fruits are an excellent source of
nutrients such as vitamin A and vitamin C, and depending on the species, among other nutrients.
culinary uses. soup.According to the pumpkin variety Nueva Viscaya Strain, San Leonardo and
Suprema are his three recommended pumpkin varieties for commercial production. Each of the three
varieties has its own characteristics, and although the 90-day maturation period is the same, the
texture of the three varieties is fine and sticky. Three other characteristics are that the Nueva Vizcaya
and Suprema have dry and wet seasons, while the San Leonardo is resistant to pests and the squash
mosaic virus. In this study, researchers focused on varieties that are abundant here in Negros and
easily identifiable in the market. That's Suprema.According to Pumpkin Flour (Talabo, et al. 2007),
wheat flour is an ingredient used in many foods, and wheat flour is a fine powder made from grains or
other starchy food sources. It is most commonly made from wheat, but can also be made from corn,
rye, barley, rice, and many other grasses and non-cereal grains. , an adequate supply of flour is often
an important economic and political issue. You can also make flour from pumpkin. Pumpkins are long
and thin with a rough skin, similar to cucumbers. Squash can be processed into a variety of products
not normally used. It can be processed into wheat flour. Pumpkin powder is made by peeling and
slicing into 2-inch thick slices. They are dried into crumbs and ground into fine particles. Pumpkin
flour contains vitamin A, an essential nutrient for improving and maintaining vision. Different types
of binders Commercial arrowroot is available in powder (flour) form and is generally intended for use
as a stabilizer/thickener in the food industry.
 CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research methodology employed in investigating the perceptions
of animal science students regarding the commonly used fertilizers and their impact on
eggplant productivity. The materials used during the study are outlined below:
MATERIALS
 Sprinkler: A device used for watering plants by distributing water evenly over the
cultivated area.
 Shovel: A tool with a broad, flat blade used for digging and moving soil during
fieldwork.
 Garden Trowel: A small handheld tool with a pointed blade used for digging,
planting, and transferring soil in smaller areas.
 Ballpen: Writing instrument used for taking notes, recording observations, and
completing survey questionnaires.
 Notebook: A notebook or notepad used for recording research data, observations, and
other pertinent information during the study.
 Meter: A measuring device used to assess various parameters such as soil pH,
moisture content, or temperature.
 Scale: A measuring instrument used for weighing or measuring quantities of
fertilizers or other materials during the study
Location of Experimental Area
TREATMENT DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPERIMENT
The experiment consisted of four treatments, each involving the application of
different amounts of carabao manure and fertilizers with varying nutrient compositions.
Treatment 1 (T1) involved the application of 200 grams of carabao manure supplemented
with a fertilizer containing a ratio of 16-20-0 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium). Treatment 2
(T2) included the application of 400 grams of carabao manure along with a fertilizer with a
nutrient ratio of 46-0-0. Treatment 3 (T3) consisted of 200 grams of carabao manure
combined with a fertilizer containing a nutrient ratio of 46-0-0. Lastly, Treatment 4 (T4)
involved the application of 400 grams of carabao manure supplemented with a fertilizer with
a nutrient ratio of 16-20-0. These treatments were implemented to investigate the effects of
varying amounts of carabao manure and different nutrient compositions on the experimental
variables.
The area of our study is located at the back of BSA3 classroom of the College of
Agriculture , Maddela Quirino
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND PLACEMENT
The experiment was arranged according to the block diagram divided into 3 equal
cells REP 1, REP2, REP3.
LAND PREPARATION
One meter area will be plowed in a week using a bollo, spade and grapple to remove
weeds.
WATER MANAGEMENT
Water the plant daily in the early morning and late afternoon with a mist sprayer to
avoid water shortage.
REFERENCES:
1. Paris, H. S. (2016). Summer and Winter Squashes. In Vegetables and Vegetable Products
(pp. 329-337). Springer, Cham. [Link](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-
26474-4_10)

2. Bates, D. M., & Robinson, R. W. (1995). Cucurbits. Crop Production Science in

Horticulture, 6, 81-174. [Link](https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=sQqscbvkwqsC&oi=fnd&pg=PA81&dq=cucurbitaceae+squash+species&ots
=ueTDT_zMxW&sig=8YKKhjWh6leGRRG58CkF6ltAv6s)

3. Borromeo, E. S. (2013). Grafting in Cucurbitaceae: an overview. Acta Horticulturae, 980,

73-78. [Link](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ellen-Borromeo/publication/
258643104_Grafting_in_Cucurbitaceae_an_Overview/links/5a2cb2020f7e9b9055e5f750/
Grafting-in-Cucurbitaceae-an-Overview.pdf)

4. Talabo, J. R., Sevilleja, R. M., & Agsaoay, L. L. (2007). Development of Pumpkin Flour
for Malnourished Children. Journal of Agricultural Studies, 5(2), 128-139.
[Link](https://doi.org/10.5296/jas.v5i2.4519)