Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan is introducing international practices for growing large-fruited pumpkins and establishing primary seed production. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture said.
A practical seminar on the subject was held at a station of the Research Institute of Vegetable, Melon and Potato Growing in Khanka District, Khorezm Region.
The event was attended by international expert Alan Walters, specialists from the research institute, the regional Agroservices Centre and regional AKIS, as well as heads of farms specialising in vegetable production and livestock farming.
Participants reviewed modern agricultural technologies for growing large-fruited pumpkins, crop care practices, the preparation of quality seed material and the organisation of primary seed production. Particular attention was paid to increasing yields and adapting international experience to local conditions.
Practical experiments on growing large-fruited pumpkins are also being conducted at the institute’s station in Khanka District in cooperation with US scientists.
This year, 600 kg of food-grade seeds of large-fruited pumpkin varieties Big Max, Atlantic Giant and Mammoth Gold were imported from Italy to Uzbekistan. The seeds were distributed among regions of the country for further introduction.
According to calculations, the crops will cover a total of 150 hectares. The average expected yield is up to 500 centners, or 50 tonnes, per hectare.
As a result, around 75,000 centners, or 7,500 tonnes, of large-fruited pumpkins are expected to be harvested by the end of the season.
The planted crops are currently ripening in the fields. The Ministry of Agriculture said initial observations indicate promising yield r
