Effect of sunn hemp compost on growth, yield and quality of melon

Abstract

This research aimed to study the growth, yield and quality of melon grown in an alkaline soil mixed with various quantities of sunn hemp compost. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments; a melon variety was grown in an alkaline soil mixed with different rates of sunn hemp compost, i.e., 0, 15, 25, 50 and 75 percent. Each treatment was comprised of 3 replications, each with 10 seedlings. The results showed that the melons grown in an alkaline soil mixed with the compost rate of 50 and 75 percent had the highest number of surviving seedlings, the least number of days to 50% vining, the highest vine length, the least number of days to 50% flowering, the least number of days to 50% harvest and the highest weight, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the sweetness of melons grown in the soils mixed with different quantities of sunn hemp compost. Therefore, to conserve its usage, sunn hemp compost at 50 percent should be used to improve alkaline soils.