Effectiveness of pumpkin cultivation in crop rotation on forest brown soil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/bchd.v8i1.1548Abstract
Background: The rapid growth of the global population, coupled with the challenges posed by a changing climate, is creating significant obstacles in food production worldwide. As agricultural practices intensify to meet rising demand, the strain on land resources has increased in recent years, accelerating land degradation processes. Land degradation represents a significant challenge to ensuring global food security. One of the key strategies for promoting sustainable agriculture is crop rotation and the preservation of biodiversity. Properly implemented crop rotation enhances soil fertility, reduces pest populations, and improves nutrient availability. It also enhances food's functional value, supporting environmental and nutritional sustainability.
Objective: The research was conducted in two communities of Syunik Marz, RA, to study the efficiency of pumpkin cultivation in forest brown soils under crop rotation conditions.
Methods: The research was conducted from 2017 to 2024, during which a crop rotation scheme was implemented on 100 hectares of land. Pumpkin yield indicators and functional value were studied under monoculture and crop rotation conditions.
Results: Monoculture pumpkin farming, however, encountered severe issues such as fungal diseases (shriveling and false shriveling) and tick infestations, problems absent under crop rotation conditions. Additionally, the nutritional and functional values of the pumpkin were enhanced. The study revealed that under crop rotation conditions, the content of soluble solids in pumpkin fruits was 1.46%, dry matter 1.63%, reducing sugars 1.63%, and total sugars 1.63% higher than in pumpkins grown under monoculture conditions. In contrast, monoculture pumpkin farming faced significant issues with fungal diseases like shriveling and false shriveling and tick infestations, which were not present when pumpkins were grown using crop rotation.
Conclusion: Under crop rotation conditions in forest brown soils, humus, and water-stable aggregates' content is higher than in monoculture cultivation. The pumpkin yield under crop rotation conditions increased by 5 tons per hectare compared to monoculture cultivation. The functional element levels for the mentioned crop sequence were higher than pumpkins grown in monoculture.
Keywords: Crop rotation, pumpkin, functional food, bioactive compound, intensification.
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