Pollination Methods and Integrated Fertilizer Influenced the Pollination Rate, Fruit Development, and Quality of Cucumis melo L. under Greenhouse Conditions

Nik Zuraila Nik Hassan,Siti Zaharah Sakimin,Illani Zuraihah Ibrahim,Noraini Md Jaafar

doi:10.3390/su132313300

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of pollination methods (PMs) and integrated fertilizer (IF) application on the pollination rate, yield, and fruit quality of rockmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. Reticulatus cv. Glamour). This factorial experiment was arranged in a split plot design with four replications. Two rates of IF between chemical (CF) and organic (OF) fertilizer were investigated, namely, T1 (100% CF), which served as a control, and T2 (75% CF + 25% OF). The three PMs used in this study were natural (NP), bee (BP), and human (HP) pollination. Data collection included the pollination rate, yield, postharvest quality (soluble solids content, color, firmness, sugar, and organic acid), and macronutrient content in leaf tissue. The results of this study showed that there was an interaction of the pollination rate between PM and IF; however, the number of bees that survived decreased over time. The yield quality showed an interaction between PM and IF for both the fruit diameter and weight, while no interaction between PM and IF for the organic acid and sugar contents was observed. In conclusion, T2 application combined with BP reduced CF utilization, which benefits the development of a sustainable rockmelon production system.

Highlights

Trigona thoracica (Hymenopetra: Apidae; Meliponini), known as the stingless bee, is a small insect categorized into the honey bee group
Inside the closed greenhouse system, the lack of wind contributed to the lowest pollination rate among the others
Our assumption is well proved in Figure 5: the results showed that th number of dead bees increased more when Treatment 2 (T2) was placed under greenhouse conditions especially during the hot season from September to November before the rainy seaso conditions, especially during the hot season from September to November before the rainy season began

Summary

Introduction

Trigona thoracica (Hymenopetra: Apidae; Meliponini), known as the stingless bee, is a small insect categorized into the honey bee group. It is called lebah kelulut and is the most popularly used for honey production in Malaysia due to its higher nutrient level compared to other honey bees [1]. The production of rockmelon is labor-intensive when it comes to assisting pollination, especially in a closed or greenhouse system. Jacobson reported that using bees to pollinate monoecious plants is a labor- and time-saving alternative for fruit quality improvement [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion