Good yields start with better information
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It is important to plant pumpkins in weed-free fields, as weed control is difficult during the growth period. This should also be considered when selecting the preceding crop in rotation. Oil pumpkins cannot be cultivated for two or more consecutive years in the same field. It is recommended to keep a break of two or ideally three years between growing pumpkins. All cereals and grain maize are good preceding corps but crops sensitive to the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum fungus (sunflowers, soybean, and rapeseed) should be avoided.
The soil preparation should provide an optimum seedbed without compaction, which can led to waterlogging. Planting should be done as early as possible in the season when soil temperature reaches a minimum of 10°C. Early planting facilitates the establishment of an early and dense coverage of soil with vegetation and good use of the soil moisture after winter. The closed soil cover reduces weeds, soil erosion and drying of the soil.
Weed control is important and should be carried out within one day of planting. A seed dressing can prevent the most prevalent diseases during germination.
The yield depends strongly on the weather conditions during the vegetation period. The plants have male and female flowers and depend on bees and in particular on bumblebees for pollination.
