Productivity of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) under Trench Protected Structure in Cold Desert Ladakh, India

Early growing season and later harvest season encounter with low temperatures restricting summer squash cultivation commercially in Ladakh. Summer squash cultivation in Ladakh have generally been restricted to limited pockets due to lack of awareness about technological advancement like cultivars and proper protected structure. Moreover, poor quality planting material is also responsible for low productivity even in protected structures. Hence, varietal trial under trenches was conducted with a view to improve yield and availability period. Results revealed that summer squash var. All Green was highest yielder (1206.875 Q/ha) with highest fruit weight (1.838 kg) and number of marketable fruits (5.75). More than 200 per cent increase in summer squash yield is observed in trenches with variety All Green as compared to variety Australian Green. Therefore, production technology comprising trench and summer squash variety All Green might be up-scaled to similar climatic condition with high wind velocity to enhance farm income of the farmers.