The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cover crops on two production systems (conventional tillage and no-tillage), concerning yield, besides the physical and chemical characteristics of 'Mini-Jack' pumpkin. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, in Marechal Cândido Rondon, Paraná state, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks in 5 x 2 factorial design with four replications. The treatments consisted of five types of cover crops (Lolium multiflorum, Vicia sativa, Avena strigosa, Raphanus sativus and a mixture of species) and two systems of soil management (under no-tillage system and conventional tillage system). After harvest, fruits were evaluated for transversal and longitudinal diameters, pulp thickness, number of fruits per plant, total number of fruits, average weight of a fruit and average mass per plant. We determined pH, titratable acidity and soluble solids of the fruit, as well as productivity. Italian ryegrass produced the highest amount of dry mass. The common vetch increased productivity, whereas the turnip increased thickness and soluble solids of 'Mini-Jack' pumpkin. The no-tillage system did not affect the majority of the agronomic characteristics of 'Mini-Jack' pumpkin, so this system can be adopted for this crop.
Curcubita pepo; cover crops; no-tillage system; conventional tillage system
