The general food supply is usually the source of vitamin C for many people, and since squash is a common food in the popular diets of Texans and is so generally grown over the state, this study has a two-fold purpose: (1) to ascertain the amount of vitamin C in the two varieties of squash most commonly used as food in Texas, and (2) to determine the effect of various methods of cooking upon the vitamin C content of these two varieties of squash.

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (p.61-74).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2003-07Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:43:13Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 laura_va_me_botfca.pdf: 181528 bytes, checksum: 0fc356b8647e2f0ab173ad8eabce1a93 (MD5) / Na produção de híbridos de aboboreiras, mesmo programando-se a semeadura dos genitores, o florescimento pode não coincidir. Em programas de melhoramento, a defasagem de uns poucos dias pode provocar perdas significativas de alguns cruzamentos. Objetivou-se estudar formas de conservação de flores masculinas de aboboreira ‘Piramoita’ para posterior cruzamento e produção de sementes, pois a conservação de grãos de pólen é inviável para cucurbitáceas. O experimento foi conduzido em Campo Grande (MS), de agosto a dezembro de 2001. A partir do início do florescimento de 40% das plantas (novembro), aplicou-se os tratamentos (tempo de armazenamento e substânciasdiluições). Colheu-se flores masculinas recém-abertas, padronizou-se o comprimento dos pedúnculos (±10cm) e mergulhou-os (± 3cm basais) em béqueres contendo as substâncias-diluições (água, sulfato de alumínio 25mgL-1 e 50mgL-1, sacarose 25gL-1, 50gL-1 e 75gL-1). Utilizou-se duas testemunhas: flores recém-colhidas (sem nenhum tratamento) e polinização natural (por insetos), onde as flores ficaram disponíveis às visitas dos insetos nos mesmos dias em que foram realizadas as polinizações e todas as outras flores foram eliminadas. As flores foram armazenadas por um ou dois dias, em temperatura ambiente (±25ºC) ou em geladeira (±8ºC)... . / In the production of hybrid seed of summer squash, flowering may not coincide, even when programming the sowing of the parentals. In breeding programs the delay of a few days may result in significant losses of some crossings. It was aimed to study forms of storage of staminate flowers of summer squash cultivar Piramoita for subsequent crossing and seed production, because pollen storage in cucurbits is unviable. The experiment was carried out in Campo Grande (MS), from August to December, 2001. Treatments (time of storage and substance-dilutions) were applied when 40% of the plants initiated flowering (November). Recently-open staminate flowers were harvested, stalks were standardized lengthwise (± 10cm) and dipped (± 3cm basal) in beckers containing the substance-dilutions (water, aluminum sulfate 25mgL-1 and 50mgL-1, sucrose 25gL-1, 50gL-1 and 75gL-1). Two standards were used: recently-harvested flowers (without any treatment) and natural pollination (insects), where the flowers were available to the visit of the insects in the same days as the pollinations were accomplished and all other flowers were eliminated. Flowers were stored for one or two days, at room temperature (±25ºC) or in the refrigerator (±8ºC). The selected pistillate flowers were bagged in “pre-anthesis”, in the afternoon previous to the crossing and again after the pollination. In each plant, only one cross was made. In the natural pollination, also only one flower in each plant was left “available” to the insects... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below).

The squash bug, Anasa tristis De Geer (Hemiptera: Coreidae), is a serious pest of cucurbit crops across the US, especially within summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) systems. Using its piercing sucking mouthparts, squash bug feeds on both leaf tissue and fruits, potentially leading to leaf necrosis, seedling death, and yield loss. Currently, A. tristis management strategies in summer squash focus exclusively on insecticide applications. Given that continuous use of insecticides imposes negative side effects on many non-target species, the major objective of this dissertation was to identify new and understudied management strategies for minimizing A. tristis damage in Virginia summer squash. To accomplish this goal, we first performed experiments to test the effects of colored mulches on squash bug density. A two-year field replicated study conducted in 2019 and 2020 in southwest Virginia found that black, white, and reflective plastic mulch colors had no effect on squash bug adult, egg mass, or nymphal densities. Overall, we observed a broad plastic mulch effect, as summer squash plants grown in any plastic mulch color tended to harbor greater densities of squash bug life stages than plants grown on bare ground. Next, the potential of augmentative releases of egg parasitoid, Hadronotus pennsylvanicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was assessed by deploying lab-reared parasitoids on organic farms growing summer squash in southeastern Virginia in 2020 and 2021. In both years, we found higher levels of A. tristis egg parasitism at H. pennsylvanicus release sites compared to sites where the parasitoids were not released. Further, higher egg parasitism at the release sites was observed within two weeks of the field deployment date. The third goal of this dissertation research was to characterize the relationship between squash bug life stages and marketable summer squash yield. In 2020 and 2021, summer squash fields were established in Whitethorne, Virginia and individual plants were labeled as either 'managed' or 'infested'. Managed plants were subject to weekly manual removal of all squash bug egg masses and nymphs, while infested plants were left to have natural densities of squash bug life stages. We performed weekly A. tristis surveys on all infested plants in both years and added H. pennsylvanicus surveys on infested and managed plants in 2021. Also, we collected all fruit produced by each plant. Managed plants were found to produce more marketable fruit and fewer squash bug-damaged fruit than infested plants. Linear regression analyses of initial two-week accumulated squash bug life stage counts displayed adult and nymph densities to be significantly associated with marketable fruit yield per plant. However, nymphs showed a considerably stronger relationship with marketable yield than did adults. Hadronotus pennsylvanicus was visually sampled during each of the eight sampling weeks, but did not exhibit high egg parasitism until the latter half of the sampling interval. Lastly, we evaluated the toxicity of reduced risk insecticides on A. tristis nymphs and H. pennsylvanicus adults. To do so, we conducted laboratory bioassays exposing nymphs to insecticide treated summer squash fruit and parasitoids to treated filter paper, and recorded mortality at 24, 48, and 72 h following initial exposure. Only one reduced risk insecticide, flupyradifurone, was found to be highly toxic to squash bug nymphs and nontoxic to the parasitoids. Overall, the results of these studies will offer much needed information to improve the success and sustainability of squash bug management programs, as well as provide a fundamental basis and spark motivation for future research in squash bug biological control. / Doctor of Philosophy / The squash bug is a serious insect pest of summer squash across the United States. Squash bugs inflict damage by feeding on plant leaves, stems, and fruits, leading to significant reductions in fruit yield and overall economic losses for growers. To date, farmers have few useful tools to minimize squash bug damage in their summer squash crop, and resort to over-applying insecticides. While this use of insecticides helps lower squash bug numbers, it often has negative side effects on the environment and important beneficial insect species like pollinators. To better understand the squash bug as a summer squash pest and to promote nonchemical ways to reduce squash bug damage, this dissertation research pursued answers to questions regarding: (1) the effect of plastic mulch color on squash bug numbers, (2) the use of squash bug natural enemies to control squash bugs, (3) the relationship between numbers of squash bugs and damaged summer squash fruits, and (4) whether new types of insecticides can control squash bugs and also be safe for beneficial insects. The results of this research will provide new insights on current issues with squash bug pest management. In particular, this work will provide summer squash farmers with useful knowledge that can be applied to their future efforts to responsibly control squash bugs in their fields and maximize their crop yields. With more research-supported and sustainable squash bug control tools, farmers will be able to not only adopt more environmentally-friendly food production practices, but also lower their overhead farm management costs and ultimately provide higher quality squash to consumers.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lam.), and summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) are economically important crops in Virginia. Only a few herbicides are registered for weed control in these crops. Halosulfuron is a sulfonylurea herbicide which controls several broadleaf weeds and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.). Cucurbit crops have some tolerance to this herbicide. The efficacy of halosulfuron for control of several weed species and tolerance of four vine crops to halosulfuron were investigated in field and greenhouse studies in 1999, 2000, and 2001. In the field, halosulfuron was applied to cucumber, pumpkin, zucchini squash, and yellow summer squash at 4, 9, 18, and 27 g ai/ha preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) in combination with clomazone at 174 g ai/ha plus ethalfluralin applied PRE at 630 g/ha. Crop injury, weed control, and crop yield was collected from the field studies. Weed control by halosulfuron was dependent upon application method. Halosulfuron applied preemergence controlled only common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) and smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.). Postemergence halosulfuron controlled common ragweed, smooth pigweed, morningglory species (Ipomoea spp.), yellow nutsedge, and rice flatsedge (Cyperus iria L.). All four crops treated with halosulfuron produced yields equal to or higher than the crops receiving clomazone and ethalfluralin alone or the hand-weeded check. In the greenhouse, tolerance of cultivars of each crop to halosulfuron was investigated with the same rates applied in the field. Cultivars responded similar to postemergence halosulfuron applications with respect to fresh and dry weights in all four crops. The response of several populations of acetolactate synthase inhibiting (ALS) resistant smooth pigweed to postemergence halosulfuron was also investigated. Halosulfuron activity against ALS-inhibitor resistant smooth pigweed was population dependent. In the greenhouse, postemergence halosulfuron at the same rates used in the field studies controlled yellow nutsedge. / Master of Science

A técnica de aplicação de dióxido de carbono na água de irrigação é recente no Brasil, apresentando-se como alternativa promissora para o aumento da produtividade e para a otimização dos equipamentos de irrigação já instalados. Aliado a isso, o uso da cobertura plástica sobre o solo aumenta a temperatura deste e o mantém com umidade elevada por mais tempo, o que pode contribuir para a melhoria na produtividade e na qualidade dos frutos. A cultura da abobrinha de moita (Cucurbita pepo L.) constitui uma opção de pla ntio para os produtores de olerícolas, por possuir boa aceitação no mercado e poder ser cultivada o ano todo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito de quatro doses de dióxido de carbono, dissolvido na água de irrigação, e do uso, ou não, da cobertura plástica do solo, sobre o desempenho da cultura da abobrinha. Dois experimentos de campo foram instalados durante o ano de 2000, um com cultivo de maio a julho e outro, de setembro a dezembro na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz"/ USP em Piracicaba, Brasil. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental de blocos completos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. Os tratamentos basearam-se na combinação de quatro doses de água carbonatada (parcelas), com e sem cobertura plástica de polietileno preto sobre o solo (subparcelas). Para o primeiro experimento, foram utilizadas as seguintes doses: 0, 59, 148, 274 kg ha -1 de CO2, enquanto, para o segundo, foram utilizados: 0, 71, 199, 365 kg ha -1 de CO2, aplicados via água de irrigação. No primeiro experimento, com temperaturas médias doar mais amenas, a área foliar, a massa de material seco da parte aérea e das raízes foram influenciadas tanto pelas doses de CO2, quanto pela cobertura plástica do solo. Isso proporcionou incrementos no número de frutos e na produção de abobrinha, sendo ajustados ao fenômeno modelos quadráticos. O maior rendimento foi de 15.435 kg ha -1 , com o uso de 58,4 kg ha -1 de CO2 , associado à cobertura plástica do solo, sendo 65% superior ao do tratamento-testemunha, que foi de 9.328 kg ha -1 . No segundo experimento, com temperaturas médias do ar mais elevadas, o rendimento e o número de frutos também foram influenciados tanto pela cobertura plástica, quanto pelas doses de CO2 adicionada à água de irrigação. O maior rendimento foi de 47.098 kg ha -1 , com uma dosagem de 100 kg ha -1 de CO2 para o solo nu. O conteúdo de nutrientes no fruto apresentou variação de acordo com a idade, sendo que as primeiras colheitas apresentaram teores mais elevados, o que, contudo, não tem relação com a água carbonatada e/ou com a cobertura plástica do solo. Os nutrientes presentes nos frutos em quantidades decrescentes, independente dos tratamentos, foram: K>N>P>Ca> Mg>Fe>Zn>Mn>B. Analisado aos 76 dias após o transplantio, o conteúdo de nutrientes em toda a planta foi influenciado pela água carbonatada e pela cobertura do solo. / The technique of carbonated water is recent in Brazil. It is coming as a promising alternative to optimization irrigation equipments already installed. The use of plastic mulch increases soil temperature and soil moisture levels. Both techniques can contribute to improve fruit yield and its quality. Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a good option for horticulturists because of its good market acceptance and it can be cultivated all year. Two experiments were conducted under field conditions to determine the effects of fo ur carbon dioxide levels, dissolved in irrigation water, and plastic mulch on summer squash performance. The experiments were installed during the year of 2000, one with cultivation from May to August and other, from September to December in the experimental area at Agricultural Engineering Department of Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz"/ USP, in Piracicaba, Brazil. All plots were arranged in a randomized complete blocks in a split plot design with three replications. The treatments were based on the combination of four levels of CO2 in the irrigation water with and without plastic mulch. In the first experiment, the levels of carbonated water used were: 0, 59, 148, 274 kg ha -1 of CO2. For the second experiment, it was used: 0, 71, 199, 365 kg ha -1 of CO2. In the first experiment, the leaf area, the dry matter above ground and roots were influenced by levels of CO2 applied in the water and plasticmulch. They influenced the summer squash fruits number and fruit yield. Quadratic models were fitted to the phenomenon. The highest yield was 15,435 kg ha -1 applying 58 kg ha -1 of CO2 associated with plastic mulch. In this case, the yield was 65% greater than control treatment. In the second experiment, the fruits number and the fruit yield were both influenced by levels of carbonated water and plastic mulch. However, the highest fruit yield was 47,098 kg ha -1 , and it was obtained applying 100 kg ha -1 of CO2 in a bare soil. The nutrients concentration in the fruits varied according to the age, without any relationship with the treatments. The nutrients order in the fruits was the following: K>N>P>Ca>Mg>Fe>Zn>Mn>B. At 76 days after transplant, the nutrients content in the plant was influenced by carbonated water and plastic mulch.

Orientador: Antonio Ismael Inácio Cardoso. / Resumo: Na produção de híbridos de aboboreiras, mesmo programando-se a semeadura dos genitores, o florescimento pode não coincidir. Em programas de melhoramento, a defasagem de uns poucos dias pode provocar perdas significativas de alguns cruzamentos. Objetivou-se estudar formas de conservação de flores masculinas de aboboreira 'Piramoita' para posterior cruzamento e produção de sementes, pois a conservação de grãos de pólen é inviável para cucurbitáceas. O experimento foi conduzido em Campo Grande (MS), de agosto a dezembro de 2001. A partir do início do florescimento de 40% das plantas (novembro), aplicou-se os tratamentos (tempo de armazenamento e substânciasdiluições). Colheu-se flores masculinas recém-abertas, padronizou-se o comprimento dos pedúnculos (±10cm) e mergulhou-os (± 3cm basais) em béqueres contendo as substâncias-diluições (água, sulfato de alumínio 25mgL-1 e 50mgL-1, sacarose 25gL-1, 50gL-1 e 75gL-1). Utilizou-se duas testemunhas: flores recém-colhidas (sem nenhum tratamento) e polinização natural (por insetos), onde as flores ficaram disponíveis às visitas dos insetos nos mesmos dias em que foram realizadas as polinizações e todas as outras flores foram eliminadas. As flores foram armazenadas por um ou dois dias, em temperatura ambiente (±25ºC) ou em geladeira (±8ºC)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo). / Abstract: In the production of hybrid seed of summer squash, flowering may not coincide, even when programming the sowing of the parentals. In breeding programs the delay of a few days may result in significant losses of some crossings. It was aimed to study forms of storage of staminate flowers of summer squash cultivar Piramoita for subsequent crossing and seed production, because pollen storage in cucurbits is unviable. The experiment was carried out in Campo Grande (MS), from August to December, 2001. Treatments (time of storage and substance-dilutions) were applied when 40% of the plants initiated flowering (November). Recently-open staminate flowers were harvested, stalks were standardized lengthwise (± 10cm) and dipped (± 3cm basal) in beckers containing the substance-dilutions (water, aluminum sulfate 25mgL-1 and 50mgL-1, sucrose 25gL-1, 50gL-1 and 75gL-1). Two standards were used: recently-harvested flowers (without any treatment) and natural pollination (insects), where the flowers were available to the visit of the insects in the same days as the pollinations were accomplished and all other flowers were eliminated. Flowers were stored for one or two days, at room temperature (±25ºC) or in the refrigerator (±8ºC). The selected pistillate flowers were bagged in "pre-anthesis", in the afternoon previous to the crossing and again after the pollination. In each plant, only one cross was made. In the natural pollination, also only one flower in each plant was left "available" to the insects... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below). / Doutor

A técnica de aplicação de dióxido de carbono na água de irrigação é recente no Brasil, apresentando-se como alternativa promissora para o aumento da produtividade e para a otimização dos equipamentos de irrigação já instalados. Aliado a isso, o uso da cobertura plástica sobre o solo aumenta a temperatura deste e o mantém com umidade elevada por mais tempo, o que pode contribuir para a melhoria na produtividade e na qualidade dos frutos. A cultura da abobrinha de moita (Cucurbita pepo L.) constitui uma opção de pla ntio para os produtores de olerícolas, por possuir boa aceitação no mercado e poder ser cultivada o ano todo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito de quatro doses de dióxido de carbono, dissolvido na água de irrigação, e do uso, ou não, da cobertura plástica do solo, sobre o desempenho da cultura da abobrinha. Dois experimentos de campo foram instalados durante o ano de 2000, um com cultivo de maio a julho e outro, de setembro a dezembro na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”/ USP em Piracicaba, Brasil. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental de blocos completos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. Os tratamentos basearam-se na combinação de quatro doses de água carbonatada (parcelas), com e sem cobertura plástica de polietileno preto sobre o solo (subparcelas). Para o primeiro experimento, foram utilizadas as seguintes doses: 0, 59, 148, 274 kg ha –1 de CO2, enquanto, para o segundo, foram utilizados: 0, 71, 199, 365 kg ha –1 de CO2, aplicados via água de irrigação. No primeiro experimento, com temperaturas médias doar mais amenas, a área foliar, a massa de material seco da parte aérea e das raízes foram influenciadas tanto pelas doses de CO2, quanto pela cobertura plástica do solo. Isso proporcionou incrementos no número de frutos e na produção de abobrinha, sendo ajustados ao fenômeno modelos quadráticos. O maior rendimento foi de 15.435 kg ha -1 , com o uso de 58,4 kg ha -1 de CO2 , associado à cobertura plástica do solo, sendo 65% superior ao do tratamento-testemunha, que foi de 9.328 kg ha -1 . No segundo experimento, com temperaturas médias do ar mais elevadas, o rendimento e o número de frutos também foram influenciados tanto pela cobertura plástica, quanto pelas doses de CO2 adicionada à água de irrigação. O maior rendimento foi de 47.098 kg ha -1 , com uma dosagem de 100 kg ha -1 de CO2 para o solo nu. O conteúdo de nutrientes no fruto apresentou variação de acordo com a idade, sendo que as primeiras colheitas apresentaram teores mais elevados, o que, contudo, não tem relação com a água carbonatada e/ou com a cobertura plástica do solo. Os nutrientes presentes nos frutos em quantidades decrescentes, independente dos tratamentos, foram: K>N>P>Ca> Mg>Fe>Zn>Mn>B. Analisado aos 76 dias após o transplantio, o conteúdo de nutrientes em toda a planta foi influenciado pela água carbonatada e pela cobertura do solo. / The technique of carbonated water is recent in Brazil. It is coming as a promising alternative to optimization irrigation equipments already installed. The use of plastic mulch increases soil temperature and soil moisture levels. Both techniques can contribute to improve fruit yield and its quality. Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a good option for horticulturists because of its good market acceptance and it can be cultivated all year. Two experiments were conducted under field conditions to determine the effects of fo ur carbon dioxide levels, dissolved in irrigation water, and plastic mulch on summer squash performance. The experiments were installed during the year of 2000, one with cultivation from May to August and other, from September to December in the experimental area at Agricultural Engineering Department of Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”/ USP, in Piracicaba, Brazil. All plots were arranged in a randomized complete blocks in a split plot design with three replications. The treatments were based on the combination of four levels of CO2 in the irrigation water with and without plastic mulch. In the first experiment, the levels of carbonated water used were: 0, 59, 148, 274 kg ha -1 of CO2. For the second experiment, it was used: 0, 71, 199, 365 kg ha -1 of CO2. In the first experiment, the leaf area, the dry matter above ground and roots were influenced by levels of CO2 applied in the water and plasticmulch. They influenced the summer squash fruits number and fruit yield. Quadratic models were fitted to the phenomenon. The highest yield was 15,435 kg ha -1 applying 58 kg ha -1 of CO2 associated with plastic mulch. In this case, the yield was 65% greater than control treatment. In the second experiment, the fruits number and the fruit yield were both influenced by levels of carbonated water and plastic mulch. However, the highest fruit yield was 47,098 kg ha -1 , and it was obtained applying 100 kg ha -1 of CO2 in a bare soil. The nutrients concentration in the fruits varied according to the age, without any relationship with the treatments. The nutrients order in the fruits was the following: K>N>P>Ca>Mg>Fe>Zn>Mn>B. At 76 days after transplant, the nutrients content in the plant was influenced by carbonated water and plastic mulch.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / In olericulture, the highest interest is aimed at the production of commercial fruits. These experiments usually evaluate variables such as phytomass and number of fruits. However, these variables present a peculiar characteristic related to their presence or absence at the moment of harvesting. This attribute is represented by the occurrence of zero values for these variables, generating some variability and affecting the data variation analysis. In this study, experiments with summer squash, sweet pepper and broccoli were analyzed using the Box-Cox transformation family. Since it is restricted for null values, an adaptation suggested by Yamamura (1999) was used. It was concluded that for each culture and each variable studied, there is a need for differentiated transformations. In this context, in the experiment using summer squash, the indicated transformation is the square root. For sweet pepper, the indicated transformation is the inverted square root and for broccoli, the indicated transformation is the logarithmic function. Despite the reduced variability observed in all experiments, the use of the method was not sufficient to make these variances homoscedastic. / Em olericultura, o interesse maior é a produção de frutos comercializáveis. Nesses experimentos comumente são avaliadas variáveis como fitomassa e número de frutos. No entanto, essas variáveis apresentam uma característica particular que está relacionada com sua ausência ou presença, no momento da colheita. Este atributo está representado pela ocorrência de valores zeros, para essas variáveis, gerando variabilidade e afetando a análise de variação dos dados. Neste estudo, analisaram-se experimentos com culturas da abobrinha italiana, pimentão e brócolis, utilizando-se a família de transformações de Box-Cox. Como para valores nulos, esta fica restrita, utilizou-se uma adaptação sugerida por Yamamura (1999). Concluiu-se que, para cada cultura e cada variável estudada existe a necessidade de transformações diferenciadas. Sendo assim, tem-se que para o experimento com abobrinha italiana, a transformação indicada é a raiz quarta. Para pimentão, a transformação indicada é o inverso da raiz quarta. E para brócolis, a transformação mais adequada é a logarítmica. Apesar da redução na variabilidade, observada em todos os experimentos, o uso do método não foi suficiente para tornar as variâncias homocedásticas.