Effects of irrigation frequency of organic nutrient solution and irrigation amount on yield, quality, fertilizer and water use efficiency of melon in facility

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.201904.037

Abstract

Abstract: To investigate the organic cultivation mode for high-yield and high-quality melon, we measured the growth of melon that grown in pots with different conditions of organic nutrient solution and irrigation. There were three irrigation frequencies of organic nutrient solution (8-time application, each time 750 mL per plant, F₁; 12-time application, each time 500 mL per plant, F₂; 16-time application, each time 375 mL per plant, F₃) and two different irrigation amount per single plant (irrigating by 120% daily evapotranspiration (ET) before fruit enlargement, by 140%ET after fruit enlargement, W₁; irrigating by 140%ET before fruit enlargement, by 160%ET after fruit enlargement, W₂), following a randomized block trial design. The effects of those treatments on photosynthetic characteristics, yield, quality, fertilizer and water use efficiency of melon were investigated. The results showed that photosynthetic rate of melon leaves was significantly increased by more frequent and less amount of organic nutrient solution application. Fruit yield and water use efficiency were significantly improved under low irrigation condition. Fertilizer utilization was optimal under the treatments of high irrigation and medium organic nutrient solution frequency. Fruit quality was improved under less organic nutrient solution and relatively suitable water supply. A mathematical model of exponential function y=0.214e^0.18^x (R²=0.851) could be used to quantify the relationship between the vitamin C content of melon fruit and frequency of organic nutrient solution application. Considering the variables, such as yield, quality and water use efficiency, F₃W₁ treatment was recommended with the aim to improve fruit quality and optimal water use efficiency under promising yield, which could achieve high-yield and high-quality cultivation of organic melon in facilities.

Key words: irrigation frequency, yield, organic nutrient solution, quality, fertilizer and water use efficiency, photosynthesis

FAN Bing-hua, MA Le-le, REN Rui-dan, HE Jia-xing, Hamiti·Abudumijiti, LI Jian-ming. Effects of irrigation frequency of organic nutrient solution and irrigation amount on yield, quality, fertilizer and water use efficiency of melon in facility[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2019, 30(4): 1261-1268.

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