This study was carried out with the objective of studing the contribution of cotiledonary leaves on initial growth of cv. Tetsukabuto hybrid squash. The treatments consisted of remotion of one or two cotiledons at 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after the emergence (DAE) of seedlings besides the control. The expenment was conducted in a greenhouse, in 1993, in Lages, SC. It was used the completely randomized design with four replicates. Each experimental unit consisted of two plants grown in a 7.0kg soil pot. The plant grown of the control treatment was quantified every three days from emergence until 21 DAE; the intensity and the time of cotiledonary leaves remotion were evaluated only 21 DAE. The parameters evaluated were: shoot, cotiledons and root dry matter, and cotiledonary and leaf area. The remotion of one cotiledon at 3 DAE affected all growth parameters evaluated. The remotion ot two cotiledons until 6 DAE decreased both shoot dry matter and leaf area, and until 12 DAE decreased root growth. The root system was the parameter most affected by cotiledons remotion. One cotiledon was sufficient to sustam the growth of seedlings trom 6 DAE ahead.
squash; cotiledonary leaves; growth
