Production / Cultivation of Summer and Winter Squash.pptx

The immature fruit of various cucurbits have been used for culinary purposes in different parts of the world.
Consumption of immature C. pepo fruit was probably not the first use of this species when it was domesticated thou- sands of years ago.
Nonetheless, the culinary use of young C. pepo fruit is an ancient practice.
Fruit larger and more mature than those we refer to today as summer squash may have been consumed initially. To this day, fruit that appear to have been harvested between 1 and 2 weeks after anthesis can be found in markets in Mexico.
Winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) originates from America and was cultivated by the ancient civilizations of Central and South America over 7000 years.
There is convincing evidence from the archaeological sites in Central and South America that C. pepo, C. maxima and C. moschata were widely cultivated in pre-Colombian eras.
Cucurbita pepo(summer Squash) shares a common ancestor with C. moschata (Pumpkin) and C. argyrosperma, but NOT with C. maxima (Winter Squash)
Summer Squash: -

On the basis of genetic relationships, C. pepo has been subdivided into two subspecies - pepo and ovifera, the former appearing to be associated with a Mexican origin and the latter with an origin in the eastern half of the United States.
Six extant horticultural groups of summer squash have been recognized on the basis of fruit shape.
Of these six -
The vegetable marrow, Cocozelle, and Zucchini groups can be assigned to subspecies pepo.
Scallop, Crookneck, and Straight-neck groups to subspecies ovifera.

The term Zucchini is the diminutive plural of the Italian zucca for pumpkin, squash, or gourd. Zucchini applies to cylindrically shaped fruit, similar to those of the original cultivars bearing the name zucchini.

The term Marrow is used for edible C. pepo fruit about 2 weeks past anthesis, referring to summer squash forms having fruit of the short, tapered cylindrical shape.

The term Cocozelle is the diminutive of cocuzza, inversion of zucca. Cocuzza applies to the extremely long- fruited forms of Lagenaria, about 50 cm long. Cocozelle applies to long fruit of lesser dimensions.
Cont…

The Scallop (Button Squash) was represented by atleast three distinct forms, one of which was the 'Golden Bush Scallop' cultivar or very similar form. The two others were vining forms having fruit just resembling those of the 'Yellow Bush Scallop' and 'White Bush Scallop' cultivars.

In the Straightneck group, the and the fruit are cylindrical with a short neck or having constriction near the stem end and a broad distal half of the fruit with a crook/convex and more or less pointed distal end. The color is generally more yellow and less orange, and the profuseness of the warts is generally less than in the crookneck group.
Winter Squash: -

Unlike “summer” squash (zucchini and other “soft” squashes) that must be harvested daily and stored in a cooler, winter squash has a flexible window of harvest and sale (with proper dry storage).

1. A S S I G N M E N T C u l t i v a t i o n of Squash Subject Production of Warm Season Vegetables (VSC – 502) Submitted by: - Aditya Parashar Dept. of Horticulture (Vegetable Sci.) 38A-22(m)/VSC College of Agriculture, Iroishemba CAU, Imphal Submitted to: - Resp. Dr. Mariam Anal Ma’am Asst. Professor Dept. of Horticulture (Vegetable Sci.) College of Agriculture, Iroishemba CAU, Imphal

2. Introduction It is a warm season crop and is an herbaceous annual vine. Its fruits come in variety of shape, size and color. The crop belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae. It is a rich source of Vitamin A, calcium and phosphorus. It can be grown in polyhouse, greenhouse and shade net house. It also has health benefits such as it helps managing diabetes, good for asthma patients, heart patients, eyes and skin diseases and for bone health. It has antimicrobial, antiseptic and antifungal properties.  Native Americans called the vegetable Askuta squash, which meant "uncooked" or "eaten raw." Since the Pilgrims had trouble pronouncing this word, they shortened it. It is considered as an exotic vegetable in India and has recently been adopted by Indian farmers.

3. Cont… The family cucurbitaceae has been divided into following groups: - Squash Winter Squash {C. maxima} Summer Squash {C. pepo} Pumpkins C. moschata Family Cucurbitaceae Melons Gourds Also called Pumpkin, Winter Crookneck squash, Fruit of Immense value

4. Types of Summer Squash

5. Cont… Squash: - Word originate from prural of a native American word for something which is immature or incomplete. Term is applied to those edible cucurbita fruits that deviate greatly from roundness. All the C. pepo squash, except acorn squash and few unique cultivars are consumed immature. Pumpkins: - Word originated from the French word originally Greek meaning large and round fruit. Term is applied for edible cucurbita fruits that are round or nearly round. Pumpkins are almost always consumed when fully mature.

6. Origin and Botany Summer Squash Winter Squash The immature fruit of various cucurbits have been used for culinary purposes in different parts of the world. Consumption of immature C. pepo fruit was probably not the first use of this species when it was domesticated thou- sands of years ago. Nonetheless, the culinary use of young C. pepo fruit is an ancient practice. Fruit larger and more mature than those we refer to today as summer squash may have been consumed initially. To this day, fruit that appear to have been harvested between 1 and 2 weeks after anthesis can be found in markets in Mexico. Winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) originates from America and was cultivated by the ancient civilizations of Central and South America over 7000 years. There is convincing evidence from the archaeological sites in Central and South America that C. pepo , C. maxima and C. moschata were widely cultivated in pre-Colombian eras. Cucurbita pepo(summer Squash) shares a common ancestor with C. moschata (Pumpkin) and C. argyrosperma , but NOT with C. maxima (Winter Squash)

7. Summer Squash: - On the basis of genetic relationships, C. pepo has been subdivided into two subspecies - pepo and ovifera , the former appearing to be associated with a Mexican origin and the latter with an origin in the eastern half of the United States. Six extant horticultural groups of summer squash have been recognized on the basis of fruit shape. Of these six - The vegetable marrow, Cocozelle , and Zucchini groups can be assigned to subspecies pepo. Scallop, Crookneck, and Straight-neck groups to subspecies ovifera . The term Zucchini is the diminutive plural of the Italian zucca for pumpkin, squash, or gourd. Zucchini applies to cylindrically shaped fruit, similar to those of the original cultivars bearing the name zucchini. The term Marrow is used for edible C. pepo fruit about 2 weeks past anthesis, referring to summer squash forms having fruit of the short, tapered cylindrical shape. The term Cocozelle is the diminutive of cocuzza , inversion of zucca . Cocuzza applies to the extremely long- fruited forms of Lagenaria , about 50 cm long. Cocozelle applies to long fruit of lesser dimensions.

8. Cont… The Scallop (Button Squash) was represented by atleast three distinct forms, one of which was the 'Golden Bush Scallop' cultivar or very similar form. The two others were vining forms having fruit just resembling those of the 'Yellow Bush Scallop' and 'White Bush Scallop' cultivars. In the Straightneck group, the and the fruit are cylindrical with a short neck or having constriction near the stem end and a broad distal half of the fruit with a crook/convex and more or less pointed distal end. The color is generally more yellow and less orange, and the profuseness of the warts is generally less than in the crookneck group. Winter Squash: - Unlike “summer” squash (zucchini and other “soft” squashes) that must be harvested daily and stored in a cooler, winter squash has a flexible window of harvest and sale (with proper dry storage). These characteristics make winter squash a viable crop for beginning specialty crop growers.

9. Varieties Summer Squash: - Kashi Suhangi (VRS 06-12) [Zucchini] - Medium maturing bushy variety bearing 8-10 medium size elongated dark green shining fruit with average fruit weight (800-900 g) resistant to Downey Mildew. Most suitable for autumn and also can be grown in spring season. Punjab Chappan Kaddu Pusa Alankar [ Chappan Kaddyu × Early Yellow Prolific ] Pusa Pasand Freedom [ Transgenic ] Patty Pan Butternut Winter Squash: - Arka Suryamukhi Pink Banana

10. Climate and soil Does well on a range of soil types but grows best on well-drained sandy loam soil with pH 5.8 – 6.5. Optimum soil temperature is 60ºF or higher at planting depth. Squash is a warm season crop and thrives better in the hot climatic conditions. Squash cannot tolerate any frost conditions. The optimum monthly average temperature for good quality and yield of squash is 22 °C to 29 "C. Squash seeds germinate best at 28°C to 32°C. Planting/sowing of squash is recommended when the soil temperatures are high enough to germinate the seeds and last frost season is passed.

11. Prepare the field by giving 2 to 3 ploughings and harrowing and then furrow the field at 2 meter apart. Furrows should be made with a native plow or tractor to a depth of 15 cm. Remove any weeds from previous crops. It is advised to dig holes at a distance of 2 to 3 meter between hills. Sowing of the seed 2.5 to 4 cm deep in moist soil is recommended. Spacing: - Medium-vined squashes should be planted in rows 2.0 to 2.0 meter apart , with plants spaced 0.5 to 0.6 meter apart in rows. For larger varieties, provide extra spacing. Land Preparation

12. Sowing Winter squash produces best on well-drained soil where 10 to 12 tons of well-rotted manure has been applied per acre. To help avoid some soil-borne disease problems, select fields where tobacco, pepper, tomatoes and other cucurbit crops have not been grown for at least three years. Winter squash performs well using black plastic on raised beds with trickle irrigation. Winter squash that matures during cooler weather has a higher sugar content and stores better. Propagation of squash is mainly done through seeds. However, plants can be reproduced vegetatively via cuttings. One can expect early fruiting from rooted cuttings than with plants from seed. Generally summer squash is directly seeded or transplanted for early marketing. Seed Rate: - Usually, one hectare land requires 3.5 to 4.5 kg of seeds.

13. Cont… Seed treatment : Capton @2.5 g or Thirum 3.0 g/kg of seed Sowing time: 2nd fortnight of September and last week of January to 10th February Fertilizer: N.P.K. ratio 100:80:60 with organic compost (FYM) 10 tonnes and 2 foliar spray of WSF (water soluble fertilizer) 19:19:19 (NPK) @ 4.0 g/litre of water at 25 and 35 days after sowing Irrigation: - Frequent irrigation should be carried out in dry and drought conditions for better output. Furrow irrigation should be carried after every 10 days interval especially planting, vegetative, and flowering and fruit set stage. Avoid irrigation after fruit maturity. Drip irrigation can be adopted for better water management.

14. Harvesting Summer Squash Winter Squash Summer squash are picked when they are shiny, up to 1 week after anthesis. Dull fruit are generally unsalable. Although summer squash can be harvested over a wide range of sizes, from <50 g to >400 g, the acceptable size range is a function of the market demand, which is in turn a function of the interaction of fruit shape with the preferred methods of culinary preparation used by the consumers of the region. The acceptable size range can be quite narrow, and it differs among markets. These are NOT harvested at full maturity due to formation lignified rind. This condition is quite pronounced in the scallop, crookneck, and straightneck groups, whose relatively small fruit develop lignified rinds that are especially thick and also are warted. Winter squash is harvested when the fruit is fully mature. Rinds should have hardened to the point where they cannot be easily punctured with a fingernail. A curing period of dry and warm weather helps to rapidly heal squash harvest injuries and increase sugar content. Curing can take place in the field but also in a greenhouse or other building if weather is cold and/or rainy at the end of the season. Curing is not recommended for acorn squash. Winter squash are often placed in storage; however, once removed from storage, they should be marketed immediately.

15. Pests and Diseases Potential disease problems include: - Black rot Downy mildew Phytophthora blight Powdery mildew Yellow vine Mosaic virus. A good fungicide spray program is critical to produce quality fruit. Serious pests if not controlled: - Cucumber beetles Squash vine borer Spider mites and Squash bugs Using insect traps or scouting to monitor populations can help the grower determine when and how often insecticides should be applied. Special precautions should be taken with insecticide treatments during bloom to avoid damaging bee populations.

16. Diseases: - Pests: - Black Rot Mildews Phytophthora blight Yellow Vein Mosaic Cucumber beetle Squash Vine Borer Spider Mite Squash Bug

17. T H A N K Y O U