The direct application of dung without composting, as practised by farmers, does not allow its chemical fertility potential to be fully expressed. The aim of the study was to use composting to improve the fertilizing power of dung, so that it can be put to better agricultural use. To this end, piles of cattle dung corresponding to different composting times (14, 21, 28 and 35 days) were formed and composted using the aerobic windrow composting method (Figure), with respective treatments T₁₄, T₂₁, T₂₈ and T₃₅. A small amount of wood ash was added to the heaps to accelerate the activity of the microorganisms. The piles were covered with plastic sheeting (Figure), turned every 4 days and watered as required until the end of composting. The contents of major elements (N, P, K), exchangeable bases (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), CEC and metallic trace elements (Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺) in the composts produced were evaluated. Cattle dung composts obtained the highest values for chemical parameters compared with fresh, non-composted  dung. However, composting reduced trace metal concentrations in the composts produced. Dung composted for 28 days (treatment T₂₈) produced the highest chemical parameter values in the composts. Composting cattle dung for 28 days should be recommended to market gardeners, for a better agricultural valorization of the dung. 

The Himalayan region of Uttarakhand is renowned for their rich biodiversity, particularly the variety of medicinal plants that have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. This study investigates the current impact of soil properties and climatic conditions on the growth of these medicinal plants. This research paper examines the influence of soil properties and climatic conditions on the growth of medicinal plants in the Kumaun Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It highlights the importance of specific soil characteristics and climatic factors in promoting the optimal growth of these plants, which are crucial for traditional and modern medicine. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current scenario, identify challenges, and propose strategies for sustainable cultivation">

: C. pepo is one of the oldest domesticated species located in southern Mexico over 8,000–10,000 years ago. An annual, monoecious climber cultivated worldwide for its edible fruits. The species is of massive ethnobotanical significance and used at large by the poor people and population. They have a wide variety of uses, especially as a food source and for medical conditions. Due to their varied genetic background, members of C. pepo vary widely in appearance, primarily in regard to their fruits . Native Americans dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. The roasted long strips of pumpkin were consumed by them. Later, pumpkin was used for management of nephritis, tuberculosis, internal worms and parasites. Pumpkin is also rich in oleic acid, linoleic acid, tocopherols and has very high oxidative stability. Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) are assumed to be a treasure house of antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and fibers which are known to have hepatoprotective and antiatherogenic properties.The plant is also rich in secondary metabolites like flavonoids, glycosides such as isoquercitrin,  astragalin, lariciresinol. It also contains phenolic glycosides, phenolic cucurbitosides, sterols like clerosterol, isofucosterol,  stigmasterol, campesterol, sitosterol, triterpenes such as cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin E.  The literature shows C.pepo, is mainly known for its improvement in prostatic hyperplasia, urinary dysfunction and cytotoxic properties, also has also been used extensively as a hypoglycaemic agent. The aim of the present study is to compile and explore the preliminary phytochemical screening ethnobotany of Cucurbita pepo.