MELON PRODUCTION USING FOUR HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS

Abstract

Melon plants (Cucumis melo L.) were grown using four hydroponic systems of which three used the closed circulating nutrient solution system by deep-flow technique (DFT) but with different designs of growth containers namely, the triangular, double-U and U-shaped PVC containers. The fourth used an open fertigation system with plants grown in polybags containing coconut fiber (coco peat) as the growth medium. Comparisons were made among the systems in terms of nutrient solution electrical conductivity (EC), growth, yield, fruit total soluble solids (TSS) and leaf nutrient composition. Irrigation was applied based on crop transpiration (ET). Electrical conductivity of nutrient solution in triangular containers tended to be higher than the other systems especially during reproductive growth. The EC of nutrients in the solution was lowest with the double-U shaped among the different types of containers. Melon fruit fresh weight was highest with the double-U shaped containers compared to the other systems. However, no significant difference of fresh fruit weight was observed between polybags and triangular containers On the other hand, fruit quality as measured by the TSS (Brix 16) was highest in the U-shaped system compared to the other systems. The N, P, K, Ca and Mg content of leaf tissue of plants in the U-shaped container was also the highest compared to the other systems. During vegetative growth, Leaf Area Index of plants grown in polybags was significantly higher than in the other systems. In conclusion, there is evidence that the superior performance of U and Double-U shaped system was due to better aeration and temperature control.