EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MULCHES AND GROWING CONDITIONS IN MUSKMELON (Cucumis melo L.)
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Date
2003-10-15
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Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413 722 (M.S.), India.
Abstract
The present investigation was conducted at Instructional-cum-Research Farm and Precision Farming Centre, MPKV, Rahuri during year 2002-2003. An experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three(3) growing conditions, four (4) mulches and twelve (12) treatment combinations replicated thrice.The results indicated that black polyethylene mulch induced higher andearly germination, earlier initiation of first male and female flower (34.08 and43.41 days) and lower nodal position of both male (3.51) and female flower(5.28). The number of days required for first harvest was less (85.17) in blac k polyethylene mulch than transparent polyethylene mulch, grass mulch and control (unmulched). However, length of vine was significantly influenced bygrass mulch followed by black polyethylene mulch and was lowest underunmulched plots. Fruit characters like diameter of fruit, weight of fruit and number of fruits per vine showed significant results undergrass mulch and blackpolyethylene mulch. Yield and quality of fruit differed under different mulches.Grass mulch treatment showed better results for yield of fruit per vine(1317.26 g) and yield per hectare (52.68 t). Total soluble solids was highest(9.89°Brix) under grass mulch than other mulch treatments.Growing conditions had significant influence on both reproductivegrowth and vegetative growth. Polyhouse growing condition recorded quick germination and earlier initiation of both male and female flowers. It alsoreduced the average number of days required for first harvest (83.03) and induced maximum vine growth (2.92 m) than other growing conditions viz.,shading net and open field.Fruit characters like diameter of fruit, weight of fruit and number offruits per vine were enhanced under polyhouse growing conditions than shadingnet and open field. Yield of fruits per vine and yield per hectare were highest (1471.20 g and 58.83 t) when crop was grown under polyhouse than shading netand open field. However, total soluble solids content were higher (9.88°Brix)under open field followed by polyhouse (9.67°Brix) and was lowest undershading net (7.68°Brix).Summing up the results, it is advantageous to grow muskmelon underpolyhouse conditions with grass mulch (CiM3) or black polyethylene ulch(C]Mi) for early and vigorous growth, better fruit character, fruit quality andhigher yield/ha (80.02 tX/