Effect of Container and Substrate Types on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of the Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) in Soilless Culture

Abstract

       This research aimed to investigate the consequences of container and substrate types on the growth, yield, and quality of muskmelon in a soilless cultivation system under a plastic greenhouse. The melon plants were supplied with water and nutrient solutions through a drip irrigation system. The experiment was arranged in a factorial in completely randomized design. Factor A has two types of containers: black plastic pots and white woven plastic bags. Factor B, six substrate formulations were tested. Three treatments were pure materials: cocopeat, oil palm peat, and chopped coconut husk. The three binary mixture, each combining two substrates in a 50:50 ratio. The experiment was conducted over a period of 11 weeks, evaluating the growth and yield performance of muskmelon in the soilless culture. The results showed that the use of white woven plastic bags as containers significantly improved fruit weight, fruit circumference, flesh thickness, and total soluble solids (^oBrix) of the muskmelon compared to black plastic pots (P<0.05). Regarding substrates, 100% cocopeat and the 50:50 cocopeat-oil palm peat mixture produced the best results in terms of plant growth and fruit quality, including higher fruit weight, flesh thickness, and total soluble solids. Considering the interaction effects, the combination of white woven plastic bags and the 50:50 cocopeat-oil palm peat mixture resulted in the highest plant height, fruit circumference, and total soluble solids content, indicating that this combination is most suitable for muskmelon production soilless culture.