Abstract:
This study was conducted to study the effect of
compost and bio-activators (lixir) on the growth, yield and
quality of muskmelon (Cucumis melo.L) green star cultivar.
The experiment was carried out at Elsilait Scheme Khartoum
North, Sudan, during the winter season 2011/2012. Three
rates (zero, 2.4, and 4.8 ton/ha) of compost and three rates
(zero, 30, and 60 L/ha) of lixir was used. A split plots design,
with four blocks was used. The evaluation of the vegetative
growth parameters, flower characters and yield characters
was done on number of branches per plant, number of
leaves per plant, number of male and female flowers, fruits
diameter, TSS values, fruits weight, number of fruits per
plant, yield per plant, yield per hectare, and exportable
percentage from yield. The results showed that 2.4 and 4.8
ton \ha compost increased the vegetative growth, days to
first flower and 50% flowering. The level 2.4 ton\hectare
compost gave the highest number of male flowers, while 4.8
ton\ ha increased female flowers. The highest values of fruit
diameter, TSS, fruits weight, and number of fruits per plant
obtained from compost at 4.8 ton\ hectare. Also yield per
plant and yield per hectare ware increased. Lixir at 30 L\ha
gave no effect on vegetative growth, yield and quality while
at 60L\ha showed a positive affect. Compost at 2.4 with
60L\ha lixir gave highest values of number of branches and
number of male flower. Compost at 4.8ton\ha with 60L\ha
lixir gave highest values of number of leaves per plant and
significant increase in yield than other treatments. Two level
of compost with two level of lixir resulted in percentage
exportable fruits and it ware about 40% of total yield.
Application of 2.4, 4.8 ton\ha compost before planting and
addition of bio-activator had positive effect on growth, yield,
and quality of muskmelon.
