Abstract

MORENO-RESENDEZ, Alejandro et al. Development of muskmelon (Cucumis melo) with vermicompost under greenhouse conditions. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2014, vol.1, n.2, pp.163-173. ISSN 2007-901X.

The effect of vermicompost (VC) on the development of muskmelon in the greenhouse was determined using four types of VC mixed with river sand (RS) as substrates, at ratios of 25 : 75, 30 : 70, 35 : 65 and 40 : 60 (% by volume). The VC combinations were prepared with horse, goat, rabbit and bovine manure. The substrates were placed in 20 kg black polyethylene bags where Cantaloupe seeds were planted. The plants were trained to one stem using raffia thread, and were watered with a drip irrigation system. The bags, used as pots, were placed in a double line and a tresbolillo arrangement. A randomised block design with a 4 x 4 factorial scheme and four replicates was applied. Factor A was the VC : RS combinations and factor B was the different VCs. A variance analysis showed that with 40 % of VC, independently of the VC used, highly signicant diferences (P ≤ 0.01) were recorded for yield, fruit weight, equatorial and polar diameters, pulp thickness, cavity of the placenta and days to harvest, with 96.386 t ha^-1, 1.688 kg fruit^-1, 14.55 cm, 16.73 cm, 3.77 cm, 5.57 cm and 89 d respectively, notwithstanding the type of manure used in the VC combinations. The average content of soluble solids in the fruit was statistically the same at all levels and types of VC used.

Keywords : Compost; protected agriculture; manure; Eisenia fétida; vermicomposting.

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