ISHS Acta Horticulturae 294: II Symposium on Horticultural Substrates and their Analysis, XXIII IHC
MELON CULTIVATION IN ORGANIC AND INORGANIC SUBSTRATES |
| Authors: | R.M. Raja Harun, D.A. Hall, R.A.K. Szmidt, G.M. Hitchon |
| Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of untreated organic substrates (composted bark, hardwood and softwood sawdust, and peat) and inorganic substrates [perlite, rockwool, sand, and sand mixed with poly(ethylene oxide) hydrogel], on the productivity of melons (Cucumis melo), cultivar 'Polidor'. The media were irrigated to run-off with complete nutrient solution. The plants were grown in a glasshouse set at day/night temperatures of 18°C/15°C, venting at 26°C. Fruit yields (kg/plant) were significantly higher from plants grown in the four inorganic substrates compared with those grown in the organic substrates. These differences could be attributed to lower numbers of developed fruits in the organic media despite hand pollination of all female flowers. There was, however, no significant difference in yield within each group of substrates. | |
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