Physiological and Technological Consequences of Benzyl Adenine (BAP) Application on Butternut Squash (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poir.) Productivity
P. Della Gaspera
National Agricultural Technology Institute, EEA La Consulta, CC 8 (5567), The Consultation San Carlos, Province of Mendoza, Argentina.
J. Teruel
Research Commission of the Province of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
E. Giardina
Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, San Martín Av. 4453 (C1417DSE), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A. Di Benedetto *
Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, San Martín Av. 4453 (C1417DSE), Buenos Aires, Argentina and Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata, Route 226, km. 73.5 (B7620ZAA), Balcarce, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Some authors have indicated that the reason why benzyl adenine (BAP) stimulates dry matter accumulation in squash and pumpkin is unclear, but we believe that two possibilities are likely: (i) higher photo-assimilate partitioning towards the shoot; or (ii) increased in the photosynthetic efficiency of leaves. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the effect of an exogenous BAP spray on biomass accumulation and yield in pumpkin plants grown in commercial facilities. Our results showed that, the relative growth rate of Butternut squash plants grown under commercial plant density did not change and that yield was the same in both BAP-sprayed and control plants. However, a single BAP application decreased leaf size and total leaf area per plant but increased the rate of leaf appearance. Our findings suggest the possibility of an increase in plant populations through changes in crop architecture and an increase in yield on a field area basis.
Keywords: Cytokinin, crop architecture, fruits; growth, vegetables