Response of Pumpkin To Nitrogen and Phosphate Applications and Their Optimum Levels

Field experiments were conducted at the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Experiment Station, Hessaraghatta (Bangalore) during summer and rainy seasons of 1970 to study the response of nitrogen and phosphate levels on the yield and subse quent profit of the pumpkin variety ‘Arka Suryamukhi’. Use of production function was made and response surface was fitted to specify economic optimum level of nitrogen and phosphate fertilization valid for different prices of fertilizer and crop produce. The optimum fertilizer rate suggested is 103 kg N and 106 kg P₂O₅ for summer season and 96 kg N and 88 kg P₂O₅ per hectare for rainy season crop at a constant level of 40 kg K₂O/ha. The maximum limit worked out for summer season crop was 107 kg N and 110 kg P₂O₅ and for rainy season crop 100 kg N and 94 kg P₂O₅ per hectare at a constant level of 40 kg K₂O/ha.