Evaluación de residuos de coberturas vegetales como acolchado en el desarrollo y rendimiento del cultivo de Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) con labranza reducida

Abstract

Vegetable production in Ecuador represents an alternative of great economic importance for the farmer, however, poor agricultural practices accelerate soil deterioration causing a reduction in the yield and quality of staple crops; mulching systems are an alternative management that can contribute to solve the problems caused by poor management practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using residues from 3 types of cover crops as mulch on the development and yield of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) in a reduced tillage cultivation scheme. The experiment was carried out at the Yanuncay Campus of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Cuenca, using a randomized complete block design (DBCA) with 4 treatments and 5 replications with a total of 20 experimental units in a total area of 60 m2; the treatments evaluated were: T1: mulching of Avena sativa L., T2: mulching of Vicia sativa L., T3: mulching of Avena sativa L. with Vicia sativa L. and T0: no cover (commercial control). At the end of the experiment, the treatments did not modify any edaphological variable except for organic matter; the mulches obtained an improvement in some variables of crop development, but it was not a consistent response, in addition, these mulches did not show differences in the biological variables of the soil, registering a considerable increase in plant cover by the Vicia crop.