The aim of our experiment was to find out how different cultivation methods for summer squash (with or without plant support) affect the quality and quantity of the yield. The experiment took place from 9 March 2020, when seeds were sow in plug trays, to 24 July 2020 in a glasshouse and plastic greenhouse on Laboratory field at Biotehnical Faculty in Ljubljana. We used three summer squash cultivars ('Cigal F1', which does not require support and cultivars 'Ola Escaladora' and 'Black Forest F1' which require support). The results of the experiment showed that significantly the highest yield per m2 was obtaine with the cultivars 'Cigal F1' (4,81 kg) and 'Black Forest F1' (4,75 kg), and the lowest yield was with the cultivar 'Ola Escaladora' (0,99 kg). If we convert this into yield per hectare, 48,1 t/ha can be expected from the 'Cigal F1' cultivar. The average weight of marketable fruits ranged from 178,55 g ('Ola Escaladora') to 302,50 g (Black Forest F1'). On average, the 'Cigal F1' cultivar produced the highest quantity of marketable fruits per plant (3,7), followed by cultivar 'Black Forest F1' (3,6) and the cultivar 'Ola Escaladora' with only 1,2 fruits per plant. The analysis of skin color showed, that fruits of cultivar 'Ola Escaladora' appeared darker and was not as shiny as the fruits of other two cultivars. The results of hardness measurments showed that the cultivar 'Ola Escaladora' has slightly harder fruits than the other two cultivars, which is also reflected in the measurements of soluble solids, which is also higher in 'Ola Escaldora' than in the other two cultivars. Endocarp diameter of fruits of the cultivar 'Black Forest F1' averaged 35,12 mm, while the other two cultivars averaged slightly more than 28 mm. When measuring the width of mesocarps, all three cultivars are very similar with a value of about 7 mm. From the results obtained, we can conclude that the quantity and quality of yield of cultivars 'Cigal F1' and 'Black Forest F1' are very similar and further experiments would be required to determine the matter more accurately. The cultivar 'Ola Escaladora' is not suitable as potential variety for commercial cultivation.
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