Sustainable production of melon seedlings (Cucumis melo L.) Zacapa with different substrates Substrates for melon seedlings

Resumen

Objective: Different substrates were evaluated in polystyrene containers for the production of Harper-type melon (Cucumis melo) seedlings, focusing on growth performance and preliminary management prior to transplantation.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A completely randomized design was implemented, consisting of 15 treatments with 30 replicates each, using one plant per experimental unit. The treatments included four pure substrates: T1 peat moss (PM), T2 rice husk (RH), T3 vermicompost (V), T4 red clay (RC), and eleven combinations of these substrates in varying proportions. Plant height, leaf length and width, stem diameter, root length and diameter, among other variables, were recorded.

Results: Significant differences were observed across all treatments for all evaluated variables. The highest statistically significant plant heights were achieved with T10 (PM 10% + RH 70% + V 10% + RC 10%) and T11 (PM 33.33% + RH 33.33% + V 33.33%), reaching 4.74 cm and 4.78 cm, respectively. The greatest leaf length and width were recorded in T14 (PM 30% + V 70%), with values of 3.25 cm and 3.29 cm, respectively, corresponding to a leaf area of 10.69 cm².

Study Limitations/Implications: This study focused exclusively on the technological evaluation of melon seedling production. Future research should include an assessment of the economic profitability of the most promising treatments.

Findings/Conclusions: The PM-based substrate demonstrated a germination rate of 97.85%, indicating strong commercial potential for the production of melon seedlings