Effects of organic fertilizers application on fruit quality in melons

Abstract

The need for consumption of vegetable fruits obtained from organic production has increased significantly in the last ten years. Melons (melons and watermelons) play a significant role in human nutrition. Compared to conventional melon production, the biggest problem in organic production is lower yield. This can be overcome by creating melon and watermelon varieties that are more suitable for growing in the organic production system. In this two-year field experiment, 5 melon, and 5 watermelon genotypes were used. The trial was conducted in an open field in the Smederevska Palanka. The effect of the application of four different commercial organic fertilizers on five characteristics of melons was observed. Mineral fertilizer was included in the trial as a control. The aim of the study was to determine the best melon and watermelon genotypes for the organic system of production. The greatest positive effects of the application of organic fertilizers were determined in the watermelon genotype Fairfax. Compared to the control, the fruit weight was increased by 15%, the sugar content up to 5%, while the thickness of the rind was decreased by 11%. In melon has been observed a smaller effect of the application of organic fertilizers, especially for the observed traits: weight of fruit and total sugar content. For Passport (melon genotype) was recorded 22% higher weight of fruits harvested from plants treated with organic fertilizers than in the control. The results showed that the Charentais, Passport (melon), Fairfax, and Greybelle (watermelon) are the genotypes that could be recommended for organic production systems.