Response of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) to plant compost, kitchen wastes and chicken manure composted with PGPR microbes as Bio-Organic fertilizers

Abstract

Field experiments in two different locations were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, (Saba-Basha) - Alexandria University, during summer season of 2018/2019. The main objective was to investigate the effectiveness of different combinations of compost types on yield and quality of watermelon (cv.Skata F1 hyprid). The study was conducted with randomized complete block design with three replicates. Seven treatments were carried out in this investigation i.e. (T1-Jojoba leaves compost, T2-Compost A,T3-Compost B, T4-Compost C, T5-Compost D, T6-Compost E and T7- Control treatment (R100% NPK). The effects of the treatments on the growth and yield of watermelon were determined. Application of different types of compost increased the vine length, number of leaves, number of branches, number of fruits/plant, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, mineral contents of leaves and fruits and improved total fruit yield. The obtained results indicated generally that application of chicken manure (T6) produced the highest values of all yield and its components and chemical composition of watermelon plants during both locations compared with the inorganic treatment. Also,Jojoba leaves compost (T1) and compost B ( 100% Compost A + PGPR) gave the highest mean values of the chlorophyll content in leaves character. In addition to Compost C ( 50% Compost A + 50% Chicken manure) gave the best results in mineral content of leaves characters. The findings in this study strongly recommended that chicken manure, beneficial microbes (PGPR), plant composted residues and kitchen wastes would be advantage if the farmer's target is to maximize watermelon yield.