Influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth, certain physiological and morphological, as well as yield parameters of Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)
Purpose: The study was conducted to evaluate growth, physiological, morphological and yield response of gem squash plants following soil drench application of different plant extracts. Research method: A pot experiment conducted in the glasshouse was laid out following complete randomized design (CR...
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University of Birjand
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research |
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| Online Access: | https://jhpr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3099_e3ff083094ecaf53ce7e5b8b0c3c5922.pdf |
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| author | Siphokuhle Mbuyisa Isa Bertling Bonga Ngcobo |
| author_facet | Siphokuhle Mbuyisa Isa Bertling Bonga Ngcobo |
| author_sort | Siphokuhle Mbuyisa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: The study was conducted to evaluate growth, physiological, morphological and yield response of gem squash plants following soil drench application of different plant extracts. Research method: A pot experiment conducted in the glasshouse was laid out following complete randomized design (CRD), with five replications. Thirty healthy, similar-sized gem squash plants were grown and treated with different treatments (plant extracts). Treatments included: Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE), aloe vera leaf extract (ALvE), garlic bulb extract (GBE), ginger rhizome extract (GRE), moringa leaf extract (MLE) and the control (no application). Findings: The soil drench application of plant extracts, especially ANE and MLE, had the best growth response of gem squash plants compared with other treatments and the control. Plants treated with ANE and MLE produced a greater number of leaves and branches and simultaneously produced broader leaf area compared to other plant extracts and the control. ANE-treated plants produced the highest leaf chlorophyll concentration, followed by ALvE and MLE. All plant extracts, ANE, MLE, ALvE and GBE, significantly increased the total dry biomass, except GRE was not significantly different from the control. The yield parameters, viz. total fruit yield, fruit mass and fruit diameter, were positively affected by all treatments applied, although ANE- and MLE-treated plants yielded the largest number of fruit/plants, heaviest fruit and biggest fruit compared to other treatments. Research limitations: There were no limitations identified. Originality/Value: Although further studies on plant extracts usage are still required, this study highlight the potential of plant extracts, especially ANE and MLE, as a natural biostimulants to improve growth and yield attributes of gem squash has been demonstrated. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb470ce3746a4204b39f067bd794ce75 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2588-4883 2588-6169 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | University of Birjand |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb470ce3746a4204b39f067bd794ce752025-01-22T05:17:17ZengUniversity of BirjandJournal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research2588-48832588-61692025-03-018Issue 111410.22077/jhpr.2024.7698.13843099Influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth, certain physiological and morphological, as well as yield parameters of Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)Siphokuhle Mbuyisa0Isa Bertling1Bonga Ngcobo2School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P Bag X01 Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaSchool of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P Bag X01 Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South AfricaDepartment of Horticulture, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South AfricaPurpose: The study was conducted to evaluate growth, physiological, morphological and yield response of gem squash plants following soil drench application of different plant extracts. Research method: A pot experiment conducted in the glasshouse was laid out following complete randomized design (CRD), with five replications. Thirty healthy, similar-sized gem squash plants were grown and treated with different treatments (plant extracts). Treatments included: Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE), aloe vera leaf extract (ALvE), garlic bulb extract (GBE), ginger rhizome extract (GRE), moringa leaf extract (MLE) and the control (no application). Findings: The soil drench application of plant extracts, especially ANE and MLE, had the best growth response of gem squash plants compared with other treatments and the control. Plants treated with ANE and MLE produced a greater number of leaves and branches and simultaneously produced broader leaf area compared to other plant extracts and the control. ANE-treated plants produced the highest leaf chlorophyll concentration, followed by ALvE and MLE. All plant extracts, ANE, MLE, ALvE and GBE, significantly increased the total dry biomass, except GRE was not significantly different from the control. The yield parameters, viz. total fruit yield, fruit mass and fruit diameter, were positively affected by all treatments applied, although ANE- and MLE-treated plants yielded the largest number of fruit/plants, heaviest fruit and biggest fruit compared to other treatments. Research limitations: There were no limitations identified. Originality/Value: Although further studies on plant extracts usage are still required, this study highlight the potential of plant extracts, especially ANE and MLE, as a natural biostimulants to improve growth and yield attributes of gem squash has been demonstrated.https://jhpr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3099_e3ff083094ecaf53ce7e5b8b0c3c5922.pdfcucurbitaceaenatural biostimulantsoil drenchsustainable agriculture |
| spellingShingle | Siphokuhle Mbuyisa Isa Bertling Bonga Ngcobo Influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth, certain physiological and morphological, as well as yield parameters of Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research cucurbitaceae natural biostimulant soil drench sustainable agriculture |
| title | Influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth, certain physiological and morphological, as well as yield parameters of Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) |
| title_full | Influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth, certain physiological and morphological, as well as yield parameters of Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) |
| title_fullStr | Influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth, certain physiological and morphological, as well as yield parameters of Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth, certain physiological and morphological, as well as yield parameters of Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) |
| title_short | Influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth, certain physiological and morphological, as well as yield parameters of Gem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) |
| title_sort | influence of exogenously applied plant extracts on growth certain physiological and morphological as well as yield parameters of gem squash cucurbita pepo l |
| topic | cucurbitaceae natural biostimulant soil drench sustainable agriculture |
| url | https://jhpr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3099_e3ff083094ecaf53ce7e5b8b0c3c5922.pdf |
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