Strategy to increase melon (Cucumis melo L.) growth and yield hydroponically with types of installation and number of fruit per plant in the greenhouse

Abstract

Abstract Hydroponic cultivation was a modern technology in the field of agriculture, especially horticultural crops. Planting premium melons using a hydroponic system was clearly more profitable, compared to growing melons conventionally. In terms of price or also in terms of care and market share, hydroponic melons were far superior. This research was to determine the growth and yield of hydroponic melons in various installations with different numbers of fruit. This research used a factorial experimental method, in a Randomized Completely Block Design. The first factor was the type of installation which consisted of 3 levels: drip irrigation (T1), Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) (T2), and floating raft (T3). The second factor was the number of fruit per plant consisting of 3 levels: 1 fruit (B1), 2 pieces (B2), and 3 pieces (B3). Results showed that there was a real interaction between the type of installation and the number of fruits per plant in the parameters; fresh weight (618.6 g), dry weight (90.0 g), and fruit sweetness level (13.8 brix). The treatment of installation types had a significantly different effect on the parameters of plant height, fruit diameter, and fruit weight. Hydroponic melon cultivation with one fruit per plant was the best for the number of leaves, fresh weight, fruit brix, fruit diameter, and fruit weight. Drip irrigation with one fruit per plant was recommendable.