Efficiency of Silicon-Containing Fertilizers in the Adaptive Technology of Muscat Pumpkin Cultivation in the South of Ukraine
Abstract
The study investigates the effectiveness of silicon-containing fertilizers in adaptive muscat pumpkin cultivation in southern Ukraine. Field, laboratory, and statistical methods were used. Results show that silicon fertilizers enhance nutrient availability in the soil, increase leaf surface area, and improve pumpkin yield and quality. Specifically, applying silicon fertilizers at sowing and in the 4-5 leaf phase raised mobile phosphorus content in the topsoil to 46.2 mg/kg. The largest leaf surface area (20,123 m 2 /ha) was observed with a recommended feeding system plus silicon fertilizers. The highest yield (22.9 t/ha) and best fruit quality were obtained with a combination of seed priming, post-sowing application, and foliar fertilization. In this variant, dry matter was 8.3%, total sugars 6.3%, carotene 15.0 mg/100 g, and vitamin C 4.7 mg/100 g. Economically, this approach proved profitable, with a net income of USD 1180/ha and a 119% profitability rate, at a cost of USD 43/t.