Impact of a Kaolin Foliar Film and Soil Water Potential on Leaf Temperature, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36253/ijam-4284

Keywords:

kaolin foliar film, soil water potential, zucchini, leaf temperature, fruit yield

Abstract

This study was based on the hypothesis that foliar application of a kaolin film increases yield and fruit quality under different soil water potential (SWP) levels, and that yield and fruit quality decrease with increasing soil water tension. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of a kaolin film and three soil water potential levels on leaf temperature, yield, and fruit quality of Carola F1 zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.). The experiment was carried out in the Hydraulic Garden of the Irrigation and Drainage Department, Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University, during the summer of 2023. A randomized block design with a split-plot arrangement was used. The main plot consisted of the irrigation initiation levels based on readings from a tensiometer placed at a depth of 20 cm (20, 35 and 50 kPa), and the subplot consisted of kaolin application, with two levels: with and without application. The experiment included four replications and six treatments resulting from the combination of the three soil water potential levels and the two kaolin treatments. The effect of the mineral protectant on leaf temperature depended on the soil moisture level. At all soil water potential levels, application of a kaolin foliar film to Carola F1 zucchini plants decreased leaf temperature and increased fruit length, fruit diameter, the number of fruits per plant and overall yield compared with plants without the kaolin film.

Author Biographies

Alexander Gil, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro

Department of Irrigation and Drainage.
Professor and researcher in the area of ​​irrigation and water use and management.

Dr. Alejandro Zermeño, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro

Department of Irrigation and Drainage.
Professor and Researcher.

SASIROT KHAMKURE, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro

Department of Irrigation and Drainage.
Professor and Researcher.

Dr.HOMERO RAMÍREZ-RODRÍGUEZ, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro

Department of Horticulture.
Teacher and Researcher.

AARON ISAIN MELENDRES-ALVAREZ, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro

Department of Irrigation and Drainage
Teacher and Researcher.

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Published

2026-10-14

How to Cite

GIL Marin, J. A., ZERMEÑO-GONZÁLEZ, A., KHAMKURE, S., RAMÍREZ-RODRÍGUEZ, H., & MELENDRES-ALVAREZ, A. I. (2026). Impact of a Kaolin Foliar Film and Soil Water Potential on Leaf Temperature, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.). Italian Journal of Agrometeorology. https://doi.org/10.36253/ijam-4284

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Section

REVIEW AND RESEARCH ARTICLES

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