Exploring the Impact of Nitrogen and Water Superabsorbent on Agronomic Performance and Nitrogen Uptake in Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)

Amjadian, Mostafa; Jahan, Mohsen; Hajmohammadnia Ghalibaf, Kamal

doi:10.22126/atic.2025.11239.1170

Exploring the Impact of Nitrogen and Water Superabsorbent on Agronomic Performance and Nitrogen Uptake in Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Agrotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

10.22126/atic.2025.11239.1170

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of nitrogen fertilization and moisture superabsorbent on yield, yield components, seed nitrogen content, and various biological traits of field pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) over two consecutive cropping seasons in Kermanshah, Iran. The experiment was conducted using a split-plot design in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was the moisture superabsorbent at four levels: 0 (control), 40, 80, and 160 kg ha^-1, while nitrogen fertilization at 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha^-1 was the sub-factor. The results indicated that all measured traits, except fruit number, were significantly affected by the treatments. Yield exhibited an increasing trend across all nitrogen levels, though the difference between 100 and 150 kg ha^-1 nitrogen levels was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the application of moisture superabsorbent had a positive impact on all traits, with higher application rates leading to greater improvements. In conclusion, the study underscores the synergistic effect of nitrogen fertilization and moisture superabsorbent in improving field pumpkin productivity, highlighting their potential for enhancing agricultural practices in water-deficient regions.

Graphical Abstract