Effect of the pruning of guides and two types of fertilization in the production of Melon (Cucumis melo)

Abstract

Inadequate agronomic practices in the melon cultivar cause organoleptic and morphometric alterations of the fruit, affecting its quality. In the present investigation, melon production systems of the Cantaloupe variety were evaluated under chemical and organic fertilization with and without pruning in order to improve the quality of the fruit; The objectives are: Determine the concentration of sugar in the fruits, Estimate the biomass production of the plant, correlate the concentration of sugar with the concentration of chlorophyll and record the meteorological conditions of the Municipality of León-Nicaragua. The treatments evaluated were T1= Bokashi with pruning, T2= Bokashi without pruning, T3= Chemical with pruning, T4= Chemistry without pruning, established in 3 blocks with a total area of ​​288 m2. The distances were 0.6 m between plants and 1.8 m between lanes. Fertilizers were incorporated one day before transplanting. The variables measured were leaf area, chlorophyll concentration, plant biomass, fruit dimensions and sugar content. A Bifactorial analysis with a Completely Randomized Block Design, with a 95% confidence interval, was performed. Sampling was relocated every twenty days at three intervals. We conclude that the treatments without pruning, regardless of the fertilization, presented a higher concentration of sugars in the fruit and chlorophyll in the leaves with greater biomass production, the pruning treatments developed a greater leaf area; presenting statistical difference between treatments. The local environmental conditions negatively affected the production of sugar in the fruits.