LAKASABrowsing by Author "Laroya, Dhonabee M."

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Effect of ethephon on the growth and yield of squash (var Royal cup)
(Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- North La Union Campus, 2007-03) Laroya, Dhonabee M.
Ethylene has been reported by various authors (Bautista (1994). Weaver (1983), Rudich (1964)) to alter sex expressions in cucurbits, favoring female flower formation. In cucurbits, yield is determined by female flower formed and developed into fruits. This study was conducted to determine the effect of ethephon on the growth and yield of squash. Employing the Randomized Complete Block Design, replicates three times. The study was conducted at the experimental farm of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, North La Union Campus, Bacnotan, La Union from June 6, 2006 to October 2006. The treatments were as follows: T1 – distilled water T2 – 250ppm ethephon T3 – 500ppm ethephon T4 – 750ppm ethephon Results showed that ethephon at different concentrations did not affect the length of vines. However it shortened the internodes and increased the number of internodes. The number of female and male flowers were not affected by spraying ethephon at 250-750 ppm. The number, diameter and weight of fruits per plant and per hectare were not affected by the different concentrations of ethephon. Highest net income, return on investment (ROI) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 29,620 pesos, 1.84 and 2.84 respectively were obtained from squash plants without ethephon application.