Influence Of Cattle Manure And Mycorrhiza Fungi On Vegetative Growth Of Pumpkin Under Water Deficit Conditions

ABSTRACT: In order to evaluate the effect of cattle manure and mycorrhiza fungi on vagatetive growth of medicinal pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) a split factorial experiment as base of randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications was conducted at 2010, Qazvin, Iran. Irrigation interval (at three levels: 60, 120 and 180 mm based on cumulative evaporation from class A pan) as main plots that exerted on pre-flowering, manure (at three levels: 0, 15 and 30 t/ha) and mycorrhiza fungi (at two levels: with and without application) as sub plots were considered. Results demonstrated that effect of water stress led to decrease leaf dry weight, leaf number and relative water content. Effect of cattle manure resulted to increase these traits. So that application of 30 t/ha cattle manure had the highest values. Impact of mycorrhiza fungi also caused to improve vegetative growth status of plants. The obtained results revealed that application of cattle manure could be reduced the affect of water stress on relative water content (RWC).