Response of Muskmelon to Three Floating Row Covers

Abstract

Abstract Floating row covers increased air and soil temperatures compared to black polyethylene ground mulch and increased both early and total yield of muskmelon [Cucumis melo (L.)]. In 1983, all 3 row covers increased transplant survival and total yield/plant but decreased mean fruit weight. Cover removal date had little effect on yield or earliness. Due to greater plant survival, total yields were higher with perforated (PCP) and slitted clear polyethylene (SCP) floating covers than with spunbonded polyester (SPE) covers. Direct-seeded plants under floating SCP produced higher total yields and reached peak production earlier than the noncovered transplants. In 1984, SPE and PCP increased yield and earliness but had no effect on mean fruit weight. Transplants outyielded direct-seeded plants and early yield increased with late row cover removal. Neither total nor early yield were significantly affected by type of row cover. Projected economic return was usually increased by the row covers for both transplants and direct-seeded plants.