Yield Response and Antioxidant Activity of Greenhouse Organic Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) as Affected by Soil Solarization and Biofumigation

In intensive cropping systems, soil fumigation, i.e., the use of gas chemical pesticides applied to covered with impermeable plastic film, represents an effective method control most soilborne pests. However, its general non-selectivity useful microflora and microfauna together their significant environmental problems has limited use. Numerous studies have concerned application less impactful but, at same time, equally disinfection methods. These are techniques a low impact that particularly suitable for horticultural systems. Among these, both solarization biofumigation popular techniques, even in organic vegetable This paper reports results study evaluate effects on yield response antioxidant levels pumpkin (Cucurbita moscata Duch.). Solarization was carried out alone addition some matrices, such as compost, manure green species. The evaluation activity DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) assay: specific absorption band, which disappears presence antiradical compound, showing capacity. Our revealed pumpkins grown solarized had IC50, concentration sample reduced initial 50%, values ranging between 0.6 18.0 mg mL−1, lower than IC50 non-solarized soil, ranged from 36.0 43.6 mL−1. obtained highlighted validity utility crops. Furthermore, this technique also shown effectiveness long term since increases several crops succession. Finally, our heat treatment can influence level compounds pumpkin, and, therefore, polysaccharides.