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Materials of this chapter were published in the following scientific publications:
Albit is applied in squash cultivation as an antidote (safener) to reduce the phytotoxic effects of pesticides and as growth stimulator: it enhances field germination, stimulates plant growth and development, improves resistance to adverse environmental conditions, increases resistance of plants to disease damage, increases yield, and improves product quality. Application method: It is recommended to perform pre-sowing seed treatment (2 mL/kg, application rate 1 liter per kg) for 3 hours and two treatments during the growing season (30 mL/ha, 400 L/hà) for maximal effect. Sprayings are recommended during vegetation at the stage of 2-3 true leaves and 15 days after the first treatment. Albit solution (1 mL/10 L) may be used for watering or drip irrigation. Albit is also recommended for application as antidote in tank mixtures with pesticides according to their standard recommendations. During transplanting, seedlings are recommended to be watered with Albit solution (1-2 mL/L). Albit has been widely applied for squash cultivation in Russia, China, and in other countries. In 2001, Albit was tested on squash var. Gribovskii (white) at the Russian Scientific Research Institute of Selection and Seed-Growing of Vegetable Crops (Moscow oblast). Squash seedlings were planted in the open ground (100×100 cm) with size plots 50 m2. Albit was applied for pre-sowing seed treatment and two treatments during the growing season according to recommended dosages. As a result, plants showed higher turgor and they easily endured drought. Also, Albit accelerated flowering by 4-5 days, increased bud number by 1-2 as calculated on one shoot (4-6 shoots vs. 3-4 in the control). Albit promoted yield increased (+12.1 t/ha, +30,1%), while yield in the control was 40.2 t/hà. Foliar sprayings during vegetative season had the key role for extra yield. Notably, squash yield increase was the highest among other tested crops, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants (data of the Russian Scientific Research Institute of Selection and Seed-Growing of Vegetable Crops, Moscow oblast). This indicates a high responsiveness of squash after Albit application. In 2011, in Chinese greenhouses, squash was severely damaged by powdery mildew. Albit vegetative treatment combined with fertilizers promoted plant recovery (Fig. 1). Thereby, Albit increases both squash yield and disease resistance.
Fig. 1. Fungal properties of Albit on squash: left – plants damaged by powdery mildew (control), right – plants treated with Albit (Shenbao LV, district Yinan, province Shandong, China, 2011)
Trial reports of studies that examined the effectiveness of Albit on squash. The trials in the table are sorted by year in descending order, and within each year, by region in alphabetical order
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Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) is an annual plant of the genus Cucurbita (family Cucurbitaceae). It is a nutritious, low-calorie, and easily digestible vegetable rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Squash plants are cold-tolerant (have a high resistance to short-term frosts down to 5–6°C), moisture-loving, however they are drought-resistant. Squash is an exñellent fodder crop; its fruits are widely used to feed cattle and pigs.
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