EFFECTS OF FERTILIZER TYPE AND RATE, AND LIMING ON BANANA SQUASH YIELD

There is a question whether it is best to use synthetic or alternative materials to fertilize horticultural crops. Levels of applied fertili zer can affect development of crops such as banana squash (Curcubita m axima Duch.). Seed were planted in 1990, 1991, and 1992 into beds trea ted with sufficient fertilizer to raise the residual nutrient levels t o the recommended (base) and twice recommended (2X) rate with a synthe tic or an alternative fertilizer. Lime was applied prior to seeding in 1990 and as a treatment was, or was not, applied prior to seeding in 1991 and 1992. Plants grown in beds treated with the synthetic fertili zer consistently produced higher yields than plants grown in beds trea ted with the alternative fertilizer. In 1990, the base fertilizer rate improved yield. There was no difference in 1991 due to fertilizer lev el, and in 1992, the 2X fertilizer rate improved yield. Application of fertilizer above the base level is not encouraged. Liming did not aff ect yield. By the spring of 1992, the soil pH for lime augmented ferti lizer treatments was increased above the spring 1991 levels which was maintained through fall 1992. For the no-lime treatments, soil pH by f all 1992 was below spring 1991 levels. Soil pH was not correlated with yield. These data suggest that factors which would include solubility , mineralization, and leaching of materials may be responsible for yie ld differences between plants fertilized with synthetic or an alternat ive fertilizer.