Yield Of Muskmelon Research Articles

Transplant Cell Size Affects Early and Total Yield of Muskmelon

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cvs. Superstar and Mission) transplants were grown in seedling flats with individual cells ranging in volume from 7 to 100 cm3. The smallest cells were in a 338-cell polystyrene flat 33 cm wide × 66 cm long × 4.75 cm deep; the largest cells were in a 32-cell plastic flat 30.5 × 50.8 × 6.5 cm. The study was conducted in Florida and Indiana during the 1993 and 1994 growing seasons. Seedlings of uniform age were transplanted to the field and grown to maturity using standard cultural practices. Early yield of `Superstar' muskmelon, measured as number of fruit per plot or percentage of total yield, increased as transplant cell volume increased. In one trial, plants from 7-cm3 cells produced no early yield, while plants from 100-cm3 cells produced 40% of the total yield in the first three harvests. In three of the four trials, total yield of `Superstar' increased as cell volume increased. Marketable early yield of `Mission' muskmelon, measured as number or weight per plot, increased as cell volume increased in three of four trials. In Florida, total yield of `Mission' also increased as cell volume increased. Size of `Superstar' fruit was not influenced by cell volume. In Florida, size of early `Mission' fruit increased as cell volume increased.

Transplant Age Has Little Influence on Yield of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

Fig. 1. Mean cumulative yields resulting from 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week-old muskmelon transplants and a direct-seeded control (1993 only). Transplants are used extensively in the southeastern United States for vegetable crops, including muskmelon. Transplant age is important because growers often contract to receive transplants at a specific time and the performance of older transplants is uncertain. The relationship between transplant age and yield in several crops is not clear (Kratky et al., 1982; Lamont, 1992; Leskovar et al., 1991; McCraw and Greig, 1986; Weston, 1988; Weston and Zandstra, 1989). Recently, research with squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) (NeSmith, 1993) and watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] (Vavrina et al., 1993) indicated that transplant age had no influence on early and total yields of these cucurbit crops. The objective of this research was to examine the influence of transplant age on muskmelon yield. ‘Cordele’ muskmelon transplants of varying ages were grown in field experiments during 1992 and 1993 at the Georgia Station Horticultural Research Farm in Griffin. Transplants for both years were grown in 50-cm cells containing a commercial growing medium (Metro-Mix 300; W.R. Grace and Co., Cambridge, Mass.). Single seeds were planted in cells at different times so that transplants of designated ages (2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks old) were available for planting in the field on a common date. The transplants were watered daily and fertilized three times weekly with a solution of commercial fertilizer (20N–8.8P–16.6K plus micronutrients at a concentration of 200 ppm N; Peters Professional General Purpose Fertilizer, W.R. Grace and Co.). Minima and maxima in the greenhouse for transplant production were 20 to 21C and 25 to 30C. Only natural light was used, and its transmission into the greenhouse was ≈70% of sunlight. On 4 May 1992 and 27 Apr. 1993, transplants of all ages were hand-planted to a Cecil sandy clay loam (clayey, kaolinitic, Thermic Typic Hapludult) soil. Also included in the 1993 experiment was a direct-seeded treatment for comparison. Rows were 1.5 m apart,

633 PB 493 EFFECT-OF COMPOSTED SEWAGE SLUDGE ON VEGETABLE PRODUCITON

A long term study was initiated in 1993 to evaluate the effect of composted sewage sludge on growth, yield, and quality of different vegetables. The composted sewage sludge consisting of 40% hardwood sawdust and 60% clean municipal wastewater sludge was obtained from the University Area Joint Authority (UAJA) in State College, PA. The composted sewage sludge is currently sold by UAJA as a fertilizer amendment under the name CornposT. Two rates of the ComposT product (11 and 22 dry T/A) were compared to a granular fertilizer application of 800 lbs/A of 10-10-10. The low rate of ComposT also received half of the fertilizer rate. After incorporation of the amendments into a Hagerstown clay loam soil, lettuce, tomato, muskmelon, cabbage and pepper were transplanted in the field in a Randomized Block Design with 3 replications. ComposT application did not reduce yield or quality of cabbage, lettuce tomato,and muskmelon; in fact, yields were generally higher with the application of composted sewage sludge. The application of ComposT did not reduce the macro or micro nutrient concentration of leaf tissue below optimum levels nor did it result in any phytotoxic effects in plant growth. In addition, the application of ComposT did not increase the heavy metal (Cd, Ni, Pb) concentration in leaf tissue or increase the risk of microbial contamination in the edible portion of the vegetables.

THE INFLUENCE OF SHELTERBELT ON MUSKMELON PRODUCTION.

Windbreaks can increase crop growth and improve crop quality. The effects of shelter on vegetable production varies with crop, location, and farming practices. While the advantages of minimizing wind stress on vegetable production is well-known, little research documents the specific response of vegetables to microclimate modification through the use of shelterbelts. During the summer, 1991, a preliminary experiment was conducted on the effects of tree windbreaks (shelterbelts) on muskmelon plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. A split-plot design was used with shelter and exposed areas as main treatments with 3 replications. Subtreatments were 7 combinations of anti-transpirant and time of application. Leaf growth was measured 4 and 6 weeks after planting. Muskmelon fruit were harvested over a 6 week period at 2 day intervals. Muskmelon yield, fruit and cavity diameter, fruit color, and total sugar content were obtained. The use of anti-transpirant did not significantly affect total yield, fruit or cavity diameter, total sugar content, or early leaf growth. The effect of shelter varied with the measured variable.

Honey bees placed under row covers affect muskmelon yield and quality

Row covers, removed at the first flush of female flowers, advanced the initial harvest date, enhanced early yield and improved fruit quality of two cultivars of muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L.). Including colonies of bees ( Apis mellifera L.) under the covers enabled the covers to be left on for another month and further advanced the initial harvest date and early yield. Individual fruit weight was greater from row cover treatments with bees than without, and was highly correlated with total seed weight.

NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS IN SOIL SOLUTIONS FOR MUSKMELONS AS INFLUENCED BY FERTILIZER TREATMENT

A study was made to investigate the effects of liming and N source fertilization on soil acidity, nutrient uptake an yield of muskmelon on a Princeton loamy-sand (fine sandy, mixed, mesic, type Hapludalf) at Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, Vincennes, IN. The experiment consisted of lime and no lime treatments with five N treatments of 0 N, 50 kg·ha-1 N as urea and 100 kg·ha-1 N as urea, NH4NO3, and (NH4) SO4. The unlimed soil tested pH 4.6, 4.2 and 4.1 and the limed soil was pH 5.5, 5.6 and 5.2 with 100 kg N·ha-1 as urea, NH4NO3 and (NH4) SO4, respectively. With NH4NO3 the NO3-N declined from 268 ppm on 6/1 to 64 ppm on 7/7 in the saturation extract (SE). Highest NH4-N was from (NH4)2SO4 followed by NH3NO4 and urea. The NH4-N concentration from (NH4)2SO4 in the SE decreased from 152 ppm to 19 ppm during the season on unlimited soil and from 56 ppm to 8 in the SE decreased from 152 ppm on limed soil. Symptoms of Mn toxicity in the leaves became apparent on unlimed plots 7 weeks after transplanting. As the rate of N increased in the range of 0, 50 and 100 kg·ha-1 from urea the Mn contents were 372,459 and 607 ppm respectively. The muskmelon fruit yield increase due to 100 kg N·ha-1 was 13279 kg·ha-1, 12161 kg·ha-1 and 8502 kg·ha-1 for ureas, NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4 respectively.

Paclobutrazol—A Plant Growth Retardant for Increasing Yield and Fruit Quality in Muskmelon

Abstract The effects of paclobutrazol (cultar, PP333) on yield and fruit quality of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud. cv. Galia) were examined in a series of field experiments, in the spring at Newe Ya’ar (northern Israel) and in autumn at Biq’at HaYarden (lower Jordan Valley, eastern Israel). In the spring experiments, paclobutrazol applied at 2 and 4 mg·liter−1 as a drench to the media-mix of muskmelon transplants increased total fruit yield 15% to 20% at various plant populations and in combination with ethephon and/or chlorflurenol, but tended to decrease the early yield. Yield increase was due to an increase in fruit weight rather than number. Paclobutrazol, in general, tended to improve marketable yield, yield concentration, and netting index. In the autumn experiment, paclobutrazol was applied at 250 mg·liter−1 as a spray from flowering through fruit maturation and compared with benzyladenine (BA), and N, P, and K fertilization. Paclobutrazol reduced early leaf-yellowing symptoms, but was not as effective as BA. Paclobutrazol in the autumn experiment did not affect yield or yield components, but soluble solids content was significantly increased and keeping-quality was unaffected. Chemical names used: β-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-α-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-l ethanol (paclobutrazol); (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon); (methyl-2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-(9)-carboxylate) (chlorflurenol); benzyladenine (BA).

Row Cover Effects on Air and Soil Temperatures and Yield of Muskmelon

Abstract Three row covers (spunbonded polyester, double-slitted, and perforated polyethylene) used in combination with clear polyethylene mulch and trickle irrigation for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) production in 1985 and 1986, increased soil (5-cm depth) minimum and maximum temperatures and air (15-cm height) maximum temperatures compared to clear mulch alone. Increased minimum air temperatures resulted from the use of all row covers in 1985. All row covers enhanced earliness in both years. However, in 1985, there were no total marketable yield differences; in 1986, total marketable yield was greater with the spunbonded and double-slitted row covers than with the no row cover treatment. Within row cover treatment, the use of the perforated row cover in 1986 resulted in lower total marketable yields than with the spunbonded row cover. Excessive air temperatures with the perforated row cover may have resulted in reduced marketable yield. Lower minimum air temperatures in 1986 may have resulted in lower yields than in 1985.

Lime and Nitrogen Influence Soil Acidity, Nutritional Status, Vegetative Growth, and Yield of Muskmelon

Abstract A field study was conducted on an acidic loamy sand to evaluate muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Classic) response to calcitic limestone and 0, 67, and 100 kg N/ha. Lime application increased soil pH and Ca concentration and lowered soil NH4-N and Mn concentrations. Higher levels of N increased soil NH4-N, NO3-N, and K concentrations and decreased soil pH. Plants developed Mn toxicity symptoms in unlimed plots and the severity of foliar injury increased with increasing N levels. Lime application increased P, Ca, and Mg and reduced Mn and Zn concentrations in leaf tissue. Tissue concentrations of N, Mn, and Zn were higher and Ca, Mg, and B were lower as N level increased from 0 to 100 kg N/ha. Muskmelon fruit yields and soluble solids content were increased and culls reduced both by lime and N. Maximum vegetative growth and total fruit yield were obtained at 67 kg N/ha with lime application.

Effects of air quality on foliar injury, growth, yield, and quality of muskmelon

An evaluation of the effects of ambient ozone (O 3) on muskmelon was conducted with the use of open-top chambers (OTCs). ‘Superstar’ muskmelons grown in charcoal-filtered (CF) chambers compared to those grown in nonfiltered (NF) chambers showed significant differences in the severity of visible foliar O 3 injury. Furthermore, plants grown in NF conditions had significantly less (21·3%) marketable fruit weight and fewer (20·9%) marketable fruit number than those from CF chambers. No differences were found in early biomass production, leaf area, or number of nodes after 3 weeks of exposure to treatment conditions. Ambient O 3 did not affect soluble solids content of mature fresh fruit nor foliage fresh weight at final harvest. Results indicate that ambient concentrations of O 3 in southwestern Indiana caused significant foliar injury and yield loss to muskmelons.

Effect of Polyethylene Mulches, Irrigation Method, and Row Covers on Soil and Air Temperature and Yield of Muskmelon

Abstract Field studies were conducted in 1984 and 1985 to document the effects of plastic mulches and row covers on soil and air temperatures and yield of muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) in North Carolina. Treatments included bare ground, black plastic, and clear plastic, each with and without a slitted clear plastic row cover. In addition, both trickle and overhead sprinkler irrigation were evaluated. Soil temperatures were increased by plastic mulches, with clear polyethylene resulting in the highest soil temperatures. Air temperatures were increased by row covers. In 1984, total and early yields were increased over bare ground plots with the use of either clear or black polyethylene mulches. Row covers did not influence yields. In 1985, a warmer year than 1984, no total yield increases resulted from use of either row covers or mulches; however, row covers and clear plastic mulch increased early yield. Trickle irrigation used less water than did overhead irrigation, but did not increase yields.

Response of Muskmelon to Three Floating Row Covers

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.

Comparison of Drip and Furrow Irrigation for Muskmelon Production

Abstract Drip and furrow irrigation of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. ‘Perlita’) were compared in 1983 in Weslaco, Texas. Drip irrigation at 40% or 20% available soil water depletion (SWD) in the surface 30 cm of soil required 25% and 42%, respectively, of the irrigation water volume required by furrow irrigation at 40% SWD. There was a trend toward earliness and increased total and marketable yields with drip irrigation. Neither fruit size distribution nor cull percentage was affected by irrigation method. In 1984, drip irrigation at 20%, 40%, or 60% SWD showed increased muskmelon yield with increased water application. Drip irrigation regime did not influence earliness, fruit size distribution, or soluble solids content. Highest water use efficiency, 181 kg marketable fruit·ha−1·mm−1 total water (irrigation + rainfall), was recorded in the 40% SWD treatment.

Yield and Composition of Muskmelon as Influenced by Preplant and Trickle Applied Nitrogen

Abstract Field experiments were conducted to determine N-use-efficiency of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) grown in a loamy sand under trickle irrigation and black plastic mulch. Nitrogen rates of 0, 67, or 100 kg N/ha preplant plus 0, 50, or 100 ppm trickle applied N (fertigation) were compared. Significant increases in stem growth, soil NO3-N, petiole NO3-N, and early and total yields generally were attained with increasing preplant N fertilization rates. Muskmelon yield response to increasing N fertigation response was increased in regimes that received no preplant N. Fertigation response was reduced in regimes that received 67 or 100 kg preplant N/ha. A significant curvilinear relationship was established between soil saturation extract NO3-N and petiole NO3-N.

Response of Pepper and Muskmelon to Row Solarization

Abstract The effect of soil solarization (solar heating of soil using clear plastic during a summer fallow period) on consecutive cropping of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) was investigated. Raised beds were mulched with 40 µm clear polyethylene film in July, irrigated, and left undisturbed for one month. The plastic then was either removed or pigmented and left in place as a mulch. Solarization increased marketable yield of fall-grown bell pepper 20% when compared to conventional, nonsolarized culture. Where the solarizing plastic was pigmented and left in place as a mulch, pepper yield was 53% higher than in nonsolarized plots. There was a significant residual solarization effect on marketable yield of muskmelon grown the following spring. Increased pepper and melon yields were attributable to increased fruit number rather than fruit weight. Solarization did not influence earliness.

Transplant Quality, Yield, and Heavy-Metal Accumulation of Tomato, Muskmelon, and Cabbage Grown in Media Containing Sewage Sludge Compost1

Abstract Transplant quality, as measured by height and dry weight, of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata group) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was lower for plants grown in media containing sewage sludge compost with a high heavy-metal concentration (HM) than for plants grown in peat-vermiculite (P-V) or low-metal (LM) sewage sludge compost media. Compost source had no significant effect on transplant quality of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seedlings. Marketable yield of cabbage, tomato, or muskmelon was similar regardless of the media used to grow the transplants. The concentration of Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Cd were significantly higher in transplants grown in HM media than in those grown in LM media. With the exception of Cd, metal levels in transplants grown in LM media were similar to those grown in P-V. Transplant media had little influence on the heavy-metal concentrations found in either foliar samples or the edible portions of the crops studied. Heavy-metal concentrations in foliar samples of all 3 crops were lower than those found in transplants. The lowest concentrations were found in tomato and muskmelon fruit, and in cabbage heads. The Cd concentrations in edible portions were very low regardless of the source of compost in the transplant media, indicating that sewage sludge composts, particularly those low in heavy metals, can be used safely in the growing media of vegetable transplants.

Effect of some growth regulators on yield and quality of sweetmelon and muskmelon

SUMMARYThis study was carried out at Elminia University farm in two years (1978 and 1980) to evaluate the effect of some growth regulators on the production of sweetmelon and muskmelon. It was found that plants treated with some growth regulators were earlier and yielded better than untreated ones, except that in the first trial (1978), the total yield of plants treated with indole acetic acid (IAA) was less than that of the control. The highest early and total yields of both sweetmelon and muskmelon resulted from spraying ethrel on the foliage. Fruit weight and length and flesh thickness were increased by some growth substances compared with the control for both crops. Also, percentage of total soluble solids and ascorbic acid concentration increased markedly as a result of growth-regulator treatments for sweetmelon and muskmelon. Generally, two sprays of ethrel solution produced the most consistent effects on yield and yield quality in the two trials with both sweetmelon and muskmelon.

Muskmelon Response to Rates and Sources of Nitrogen1

AbstractThe method and rate of nitrogen fertilization of muskmelons (Cucumis melo) on sandy soils is of concern because of the leaching potential of N. The relative availability of nitrogen from ammonium nitrate, urea‐formaldehyde, and sulfur coated urea (SCU) was studied in the field with regard to influence on growth, leaf and petiole composition, and fruit yield of muskmelon. The field studies compared various nitrogen materials in different timing and rate schedules. The fertilizers were used at 0, 33, 66, 99, 132, and 264 kg/ha in single (preplant) and split (preplant + sidedressing) applications. Data were collected for 4 seasons. In each year N application increased vine growth and intensity of the green color of the leaves. The N concentration of the recently mature melon leaves was increased more by NH4NO3 than by urea‐formaldehyde or SCU. The relationship of N rate was linear with N composition but parabolic with yield. Optimum plant growth and fruit yields were obtained with a preplant application of 80 to 90 kg/ha. The same total N rate as a split application or as a less available N source was not as effective for fruit yield production. The increased yield from N treatment was due to increased vine size and increased numbers of fruit. Optimum fruit yields were produced at leaf composition of total N over 4.5% or petiole content of NO3‐N over 15,000 ppm during vegetative and fruit initiation stages. Sulfur coated urea with 37% dissolution rate produced NO3‐N and total N concentrations of petioles about equal to the same N rate as NH4NO3; SCU with 12% dissolution rate resulted in NO3 concentrations equal to one‐quarter the N rate as NH4NO3 at the runner stage and equal to one‐half the N rate as NH4NO3 just prior to harvest.Ammonium nitrate, a soluble, immediately available N source, applied in preplant at 80 to 90 kg/ha was the most effective treatment and resulted in optimum muskmelon fruit yields on sandy soils of southwestern Indiana in each year of the study.

Combined Influence of Mulches and Transplanting on Earliness and Yield of Muskmelon,Cucumis MeloL.

SummaryAn investigation of the combined effect of mulching and transplanting muskmelons showed that transplanting increased early yield appreciably; mulching in conjunction with transplanting further increased earliness. Total yield also was increased by some treatments. Clear polyethylene (polythene), black polythene, and Kraft paper coated with clear polythene were evaluated as mulches on transplanted and field-seeded melons. Clear polythene generally induced greater early yields in field-seeded melons, but the response to black polythene, clear polythene and polythene-coated paper was comparable for transplanted melons. Waxed paper and aluminium foil also were tested as mulches for transplanted melons.