Effect of phosphor fertilization and foliar spray with boron on vegetative growth, fresh fruit yield and its attributed traits in squash plants.

A field experimental was conducted during the two consecutive summer seasons of 2021 and 2022 at Kaha Vegetables Research Farm, Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Qalubia Governorate, Egypt, to examine the effects of foliar spray with various boron concentrations, and different mineral and biophosphor fertilizer levels, on vegetative growth, fresh fruit yield and its attributed traits of squash plants (Cucurbita pepo L.) Eskandarani variety. This experiment included four treatments as follow T₁ (100% of Recommended Calcium Superphosphate Fertilizer + Phosphorus-Solubilizing Bacteria), T₂ (50% of Recommended Calcium Superphosphate Fertilizer + Phosphorus-Solubilizing Bacteria), T₃ (25% of Recommended Calcium Superphosphate Fertilizer + Phosphorus-Solubilizing Bacteria) and T₄ (100% of Recommended Calcium Superphosphate Fertilizer Only) with Boron foliar spray (0,100,200) ppm. The obtained results showed that squash plants treated with 100% of recommended calcium super phosphate fertilizer + phosphate solubilizing bacteria using a 200ppm boron foliar spray concentration achieved the highest vegetative growth parameters, fresh fruit yield, and quality during the both seasons.