Effect of Mycorrhiza, Fertilizers and Planting Media on Rock Melon (Cucumis Melo Linn Cv. Glamour) Growth Using The Canopytechture Structure

Abstract

Rock melon (Cucumis melo Linn), one of the most popular and delicious fruits of Malaysia has great potential for commercial development. Currently, rock melon is most widely cultivated under rain shelter structure using soilless culture. This study aimed to determine the effect of mycorrhiza, various fertilizer and planting media applications on growth performance of rock melon (Cucumis melo Linn cv. Glamour) in open area. The experiment comprised the following treatments: T1 = Medium A - Mycorrhizal + Inorganic fertilizer, T2 = Medium A + Mycorrhiza + Organic fertilizer, T3 = Medium A + Mycorrhiza + Inorganic fertilizer, T4 = Medium A - Mycorrhizal + Organic fertilizer, T5 = Medium B + Mycorrhiza + Organic fertilizer, T6 = Medium B + Mycorrhiza + Inorganic fertilizer, T7 = Medium B - Mycorrhiza + Organic fertilizer and T8 = Medium B - Mycorrhiza + Inorganic fertilizer. Medium A consisted of Peat moss + Perlite + Vermiculite while Medium B comprised Peat moss + Perlite + Vermiculite + Top soil. A randomised complete block design experiment with three replications was conducted at the Horticulture Research Centre plot, MARDI, Serdang. Different types of fertilizer, planting media and applications of arbuscular mycorrhizal had effects on fruit production and yield of melon as compared to control (T1). Maximum and significant yield of melon was from T6 plants. Furthermore, the maximum fruit weight and total soluble solids of 1350 g and 14.25 °Brix, respectively, were from T6 treated plants and the minimum was from T4 (717 g and 10.17 °Brix, respectively). The presence of the indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculums in planting media was successful in colonizing plant roots, resulting in better plant growth and significantly enhanced yield of rock melon. This study suggested the possibility of applying moderate combinations of planting media with mycorrhiza in producing good quality and high yield of rock melon.