Effect of Compost and Bio-Activators on Growth, Yield and Quality of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo.L) for Export under Khartoum State Conditions

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.