Development, yield and quality of Cantaloupe and Honeydew melon in soilless culture in a non-temperature controlled high tunnel

Abstract

ABSTRACTYield and quality in cantaloupe, or honeydew melon (both Cucumis melo L.) are important parameters for cultivar selection, potentially impacting grower profitability. Information on melon cultivar performance in soilless systems under non-temperature controlled (NTC) plastic tunnel is limited. The cantaloupes, cvs. Majestic, Magritte, Divine, Cyclone, MAB 79001, Adore, E25F.00075 and E25F.00185, and honeydew melons, cvs. Honey Brew, and Honey Star, were evaluated in an NTC plastic tunnel in soilless culture for growth, yield and quality at harvest. Cultivars Divine, Honey Brew, and Honey Star produced the most fruit per plant, 4 to 6. Plant vine length was positively correlated with fruit length, fruit diameter and pericarp thickness. Total soluble solids for all cultivars met commercial quality standards of 10% with ‘E25F.00185ʹ being the highest (12.7%). Fruit juice pH ranged from 5.71 to 6.66. High yielding cantaloupe were cv. Divine with the highest-yielding with no difference between honeydew ‘Honey Brew’ and ‘Honey Star.’ Cantaloupes had high-quality parameters compared to honeydew melons. Cultivars Divine, Honey Brew, and Honey Star were suitable for soilless culture in an NTC plastic tunnel because of high yields and total soluble solids.