Zucchini is a popular type of summer squash and is grown as a summer vegetable for its tender, edible long fruits. It is the most popular, widely grown and economically important summer squash vegetable. Scientific name of zucchini is Cucurbita pepo. It belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. Zucchini is also called as courgette.
Growing Zucchini: Zucchini is grown as a summer annual and it is fairly easy to cultivate this bee-pollinated crop. A detailed description of production practices is given below:
Climate and Soil: Zucchini prefers warm, tropical climate and full sunlight. It grows best in well-drained deep and fertile soils.
Propagation: Zucchini is propagated by seeds and approximately 1.5 to 2 Kg seeds is required to raise seedlings for one hectare land. Seedlings are raised on nursery beds. Direct sowing is also practiced. January-February is the ideal sowing time in tropics and subtropics. Seeds germinate within 8-15 days of sowing and generally, 4 to 6 weeks old seedlings are transplanted.
Planting: Before planting, the field must be prepared by ploughing, tilling and levelling of the land and by incorporating bulk quantities of farm yard manures and compost with the top soil to enrich top soil fertility. Thereafter ridges or mounds are prepared in the main fields and seedlings are planted on the ridges. At least 3 feet distance is provided ridge to ridge. Spacing between plants is given at six inches apart. Number of plants per ridge will be about four or five zucchini plants initially. Once plants get established, thinning is done by keeping one or two plants per ridge.
Mulching: Biodegradable mulching between the ridges is recommended; it helps clean fruit production and also helps weed control.
Watering: Watering is done at least once a week depending upon the prevalent climatic conditions. General rule is to keep soil evenly moist to prevent fruit from falling off due to moisture stress. Leaves may wilt during prolonged heat and but can be revived with timely watering.
Optimum Temperature for Growth: Minimum 65 degrees Fahrenheit with full sunlight
Fertilizer schedule: Zucchini plants are light feeders but they grow at a fast rate. A detailed illustration of fertilizer application is given below:
- At the time of field preparation- FYM (farmyard manure) or compost @ 10–15 tons/ha
- Basal dose at the time of planting-20–30kg N, 30–50kg P and 30–40kg K per hectare
- At the time of flowering-20–30kg N/ha
Note: In certain areas, Ethrel (250ppm) or MH (150ppm) application is recommended for higher yields and better quality. Avoid using fertilizers that are very high in Nitrogen; for example: Fish fertilizers; high nitrogen content in soil triggers undesirable vegetative growth which adversely affects fruit production.
Pest Management: Major pests that are affecting zucchini plants are Thrips, Cutworms, Cucumber Beetles and Vine Borers. An illustration of major pests of zucchini plants is given below:
Cucumber Beetles: They attack seedlings, vines and both immature and mature fruits. They can be controlled by the application of any pyrethrum-based bioinsecticides by spraying at weekly intervals.
Vine Borers: They attack vines as the fruit begin to set. They can be controlled by the application of any pyrethrum-based bioinsecticides by spraying at weekly intervals.
Thrips: These are tiny insects that attack flowers. Heavy infestation leaves stunted fruits. They can be controlled by removing all affected flowers. After that, plants and soil surface can be sprayed with an insecticidal soap solution.
Cutworms: These are small larvae/caterpillars that affect plants. These can be controlled by using mechanical traps such as cardboard strips or by using any biopesticides.
Disease Management: An illustration of major diseases of zucchini plants is given below:
Blossom End Rot: It is a fungal infection. The fruits of the affected plants rot from the blossom. Fruit rot is due to either highly acidic soil or due to Calcium deficiency. It can be controlled by the application of dolomite lime to compensate Calcium deficiency. Quicklime may also be applied to control this disease.
Powdery Mildew: It is a fungal infection. Major symptom is the presence of a white growth on leaves. It can be controlled by spraying a solution of insecticidal soap containing 100grams of baking soda in 1 litre of water; fish fertilizer may be added in small quantities as a fixative.
Mosaic Virus: It is a viral infection and can be controlled by following good cultivation practices and by removing and destroying all diseased plants from the field.
Horticultural Maturity Indices for Zucchini: Zucchini fruits must be harvested at correct maturity stage which is when young fruits attain a bright shiny green color and very tender texture. Correct maturity is when young fruits attain a size of 5 to 8 inches in length and 2 inches or less in diameter while seeds are still immature and flesh is very tender. Storage life of freshly harvested zucchini fruits at room temperature is two to three days.
Quality Indices: Major quality indices that are applicable for zucchini fruits are Tenderness, Firmness and Appearance of the fruits.
- Tenderness- The fruit should be immature, tender and soft
- Firmness- The fruit should be firm and the fruit surface should free of physical injuries
- Appearance- The fruit should have a shiny bright green color; Dullness of the fruit should be avoided at any cost for export markets
Pre-cooling Conditions: Room, forced-air or hydro-cooling are acceptable precooling methods for removing field heat from freshly harvested zucchini fruits.
Grading: Zucchini fruits are normally graded based on its size and weight. Both length and diameter of the fruits are considered for grading. Weight ranges that are included are more than 50 grams to less than 400 grams. Major two grades for export markets are: U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2.
Packaging: Perforated polyethylene bags are used for retail packaging while for packing bulk quantities, large carton boxes may be used. Central dividers and polythene liners may be used in large boxes to prevent injuries of packed produce. Weight of a standard carton is 15 Kg.
Optimum Storage Conditions: Since zucchini fruits are highly perishable, they are not suitable for long term storage. However if they are stored at 5 to 10 °C (41 to 50 °F) with 95% RH, a storage life up to 2 weeks may be obtained.
Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage: CA storage does not add any benefits to zucchini storage.
Retail Outlet Display: Top icing on packaged products must be avoided at all costs. But refrigerated display is allowed in cases of zucchini fruits.
Chilling injury: Zucchini fruits are highly chilling sensitive. It is not advised to expose zucchini fruits to a temperature less than 5 °C (41 °F)
Ethylene Production and Sensitivity: Zucchini fruits release low to moderate amounts of ethylene at 0.1 to 1.0 μL kg-1 h-1 at 20°C (68 °F).
Physiological Disorders: Shrivelling and associated weight loss due to water loss is a major physiological disorder which can be controlled by pre-cooling and storage at high RH or waxing with a thin coating of melted wax. Skin cracks and bruises/mechanical injury due to careless produce handling may be controlled by proper material handling procedures.
Postharvest Pathology: Alternaria rot, cottony leak, Fusarium rot, Phythopthora rot and Rhizopus rot bacterial soft rot which are caused by numerous bacteria species are common in zucchini storage. Such infections result in a slimy breakdown of the infected tissue. This can be controlled by trimming outer leaves, rapid cooling and low temperature storage.
Quarantine Issues: There is no quarantine issues associated with the marketing of zucchini fruits properly graded and packed fruits may be marketed in the local markets or export markets.
Marketing: Major export markets are U.K, Italy, France and other European countries like Greece, Bulgaria and turkey and Mexico; middle east countries like Egypt and UAE. Since zucchini fruit is considered as an exotic/specialty vegetable in many parts of the world, they can be marketed for specialty markets. Organically produced fruits may fetch a premium and may have more demand among health-conscious buyers.
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