Variety evaluations trials for 5 zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) hybrids grown in field, under open and net cover, in Evia island

Abstract

The cultivation of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hybrids grown in field is an important vegetable for food and a specialty crop. There are various cultivation practices, such as grown in open fields, covered or not by nets in an initial stage of growth and /or in greenhouses. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of open and cover practices in five zucchini hybrids and to evaluate any possible hybrid effect. The study took place in the Evia Island in a sandy clay soil and the typical farmer practices on irrigation and fertilization were followed. The results have shown that we didn’t have so many differences at those two practices we used. We noticed that one of our hybrids RIGAS was very high in productivity but statistically significant less healthy (more prone to disease infestation, across all cover types). The findings of the analysis of all fruits picked by hybrid have demonstrated that we didn't have many changes between open and under net like it was the same, indicating that net cover didn't have a significant impact on the fruit production of our plants. However, the outcome of the analysis of ALL gathered fruits. We had a lot of variances between open and under net, as demonstrated by hybrid healthiness. The hybrids (BZ1038, BZ1129, BZ1104 and BZ9776) had the healthiest fruits out of all the others. Healthiness of the other hybrids of RIGAS that is the only hybrid that has the most diseased fruits and if it is the most productive hybrid.