Response of hybrid muskmelons to polyethylene row covers and black polyethylene mulch

Abstract

Four commercial and two experimental muskmelon hybrids were grown with four different treatments: (1) bare soil, (2) black polyethylene mulch, (3) clear polyethylene row cover, and (4) a combination of row cover and mulch. The row cover alone afforded slightly better frost protection than the row cover—polyethylene mulch treatment. Daytime temperatures under the row covers averaged 4–5° C above outside air temperatures. Soil temperatures were considerably higher under the row cover—polyethylene mulch treatment than the other treatments. All hybrids commenced pistillate flowering earlier with the row cover treatments than with bare soil or black polyethylene mulch, and the experimental hybrids flowered comparatively much earlier than the commercial hybrids with the row cover—polyethylene mulch treatment. Fruit maturity was 3–9 days earlier for the commercial hybrids and 12–13 days earlier for the experimental hybrids with the row cover—polyethylene mulch treatment than with black polyethylene mulch. The results suggest considerable potential for increasing earliness in muskmelons in northern regions through the use of polyethylene mulches in combination with row covers, and by breeding cultivars more adapted to these cultural methods.