Use Of Organic Materials As Growing Media For Melon (Cucumismelo L. Cv. Huigu) Production In Organic Cultivation.pdf

Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation
National Pingtung University of Science and Technology

Ph.D. Dissertation

Use of organic materials as growing media for melon
(Cucumismelo L. CV. Huigu) production in organic cultivation

Advisor: Chong-Ho Wang, Ph.D

Student: Nguyen Van Tam

May 10, 2016

Số hóa bởi Trung tâm Học liệu – ĐHTN

Tai ngay!!! Ban co the xoa dong chu nay!!!




Abstract
Student ID: P10122020
Title of Dissertation: Use of organic materials as growing media for melon
(Cucumismelo L. CV. Huigu) production in organic
cultivation
Total Pages: 212pages
Name of Institute: Department of Tropical Agriculture and International
Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and
Technology
Graduate Date: May 10, 2016Degree Conferred: Doctoral Degree

Name of Student: Nguyen Van Tam Advisor: Chong-Ho Wang, Ph.D.
The Content of Abstract in This Dissertation:
The study was conducted at National Pingtung University of Science and
Technology from August, 2013 to May, 2015. The objectives of the study: (1) To
evaluate the physical and chemical properties of growing media from
vermicompost (VC), spent mushroom substrate (SMS), sulfur (S0) and their effects
on the growth and nutrient uptake of honeydew melon seedlings; (2) To evaluate
efficiency of using cattle manure compost (CaMC) and coconut husk (CH) to
replace for VC. And then investigating the effects of combination of SMS, VC, S0
with CaMC or CH on physical and chemical properties of growing media and the
respond of honeydew melon seedlings; (3) To evaluate the effects of seedlings,
mixture of SMS with chicken manure compost (ChMC) on yield, and fruit quality
of honeydew melon; (4) To evaluate the effects of SMS, VC, CaMC and their
continuous application on the soil properties, growth and yield of honeydew melon.
The study includes four parts: The first part, we investigated the effects of mixture
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(including SMS, VC, and S0) on physical, chemical properties of growing media,
their influences on growth and nutrient uptake of honeydew melon seedlings. The
second part, based on the results of the first part, we used CaMC and CH to replace
some parts of VC. And then, we evaluated the influences of combination between
these organic materials on physical, chemical properties of growing media and
their effects on growth and nutrient uptake of honeydew melon seedlings. The third
part, we used honeydew melon seedlings grown in four different substrates in
nursery period and two different rates of organic material mixture (including
CaMC and SMS). And then, we investigated the effects of organic material rates

on physical, chemical properties of the soil. We also evaluated the effects of
different seedlings and different rates of organic materials on the growth, yield,
and fruit quality of honeydew melons. The fourth part, in the first season, the
experiment was carried out in pots under net house condition. Each pot was filled
with a homogenized mixture of 10 kg soil. We mixed VC at the rates of 0.5, 1.0,
and 1.5 kg/pot and SMS at the rates of 0.0, 0.2, and 0.4 kg/pot. We investigated the
effects of VC, SMS and their combination on the soil chemical properties, growth
and yield of honeydew melon. In the second season, we continuously used pots
from the first season. SMS was amended with the same rates as the first season.
However, VC applied was decreased and replaced by CaMC. We continuously
evaluated the effects of SMS, VC, CaMC and their combination on the chemical
soil properties and honeydew melon performance. The results indicated that: (1)
Increasing VC proportion in the growing media induced increase bulk density and
electrical conductivity, while increasing SMS content enhanced aeration porosity,
total porosity, water holding capacity, and pH value. Besides, S0 addition induced
decrease in pH value and increase in EC value of the growing media. Regarding
the most suitable media for seedlings, SMS and VC at the ratio of 50% and S0
added with a rate of 1.0 g kg-1 substrate was considered as optimum condition for
honeydew melon seedling production. (2) All growing media mixed from SMS,
VC, CaMC or CH and S0with the EC value from 3.82 dS m-1 to 4.53 dS m-1were
suitable for honeydew melon seedlingperformance.At the same rate of SMS and
VC, using CaMC produced an increase of nutrient concentration (except for Cu)
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in the growing media. The growing medium with 50% SMS, 30% VC, 20% CH
(pH = 6.41 and EC= 3.95 dS m-1)gave the best optimum condition for honeydew

melon seedlings. (3) Increasing SMS and ChMC enhanced soil productivity by
increasing chemical, physical properties (pH, EC, OM) and nutrient concentration
in the soil. The different seedlings affected on plant height, stem diameter with the
significance at 99% but they did not influence on total fruit yield and TSS of fruits.
The interaction effect of organic material rates and seedlings on yield and fruit
quality also was not found. Based on the found findings, rates which are the most
suitable for yield and fruit quality of honeydew melon are SMS (40%) + ChMC
(60%) for seedling production and 10 tons SMS + 10 tons ChMC ha-1(pH = 6.12
and EC = 0.54 dS m-1)for honeydew melon production in net house. (4) There was
significant increase in soil properties such as pH, OM, EC and macronutrient
concentration as a result of SMS, VC, and CaMC amendment. Application of SMS,
VC, and CaMC also showed that it is very useful in honeydew melon production.
However, the rates of 0.2 kg SMS + 1.5 kg VC/pot (EC = 1.68dS m-1)in the first
season and 0.2 kg SMS + 1.0 kg VC + 1.0 kgCaMC/pot (EC = 1.87 dS m-1) in the
second season were the most sufficient for higher productivity of honeydew melon
in organic agriculture.
Key words: organic agriculture, spent mushroom substrate, vermicompost, cattle
manure compost, chicken manure compost, coconut husk, honeydew
melon

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LIST OF ABBREVIATION
CaMC

Cattle manure compost

CH

Coconut husk

ChMC

Chicken manure compost

EC

Electrical conductivity

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

LSD

Least significant different

OM

Organic matter

PLS

Partial least squares

S0

Sulfur

SPAD

Special products analysis division

SMS

Spent mushroom substrate

TA

Titratable acidity

TSS

Total soluble solids

VC

Vermicompost

WHC

Water holding capacity

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, I would like to thank my advisor, Prof. Dr. Chong- Ho Wang for his
guidance, help and supervision throughout this study. I also would like to thank all
professors in the first evaluation and graduate committees for their suggestions and
comments.
I would like to thank NPUST for the budget support for my Ph.D. program.
I would like to give my gratitude to professors, staffs, and students of NPUST,
OIA, DTAIC, Department of Plant Industry, Organic Agricultural Laboratory for
their help.
Lastly, I would like to thank my family members, my friends for their help
and encouragement.
Taiwan, March 26th, 2016

Nguyen Van Tam

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHINESE ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................... i
LIST OF ABBREVIATION .................................................................................. iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................... v

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................... vi
LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................. xi
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................. xiv
LIST OF PICTURES ........................................................................................... xx
CHAPTER 1........................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 1
CHAPTER 2........................................................................................................... 6
LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................... 6
2.1 Melon (Cucumismelo L.) ................................................................................. 6
2.1.1 Classification ................................................................................................. 6
2.1.2 Characteristic................................................................................................. 9
2.1.3 Origin .......................................................................................................... 10
2.1.4 Production ....................................................................................................11

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2.2 Honeydew melon ........................................................................................... 13
2.2.1 Origin .......................................................................................................... 13
2.2.2 Variety ......................................................................................................... 14
2.2.3 Planting ...................................................................................................... 15
2.2.4 Fertilizing .................................................................................................... 16
2.2.5 Watering ..................................................................................................... .16
2.2.6 Harvest ....................................................................................................... 16
2.2.7 Common problems ..................................................................................... .17
2.3 Effects of nutrients on melon production ....................................................... 17
2.3.1 Effects of organic fertilizer on melon production ....................................... 17

2.3.2 Effects of inorganic fertilizer on melon production .................................... 18
2.4 Organic agriculture production ...................................................................... 22
2.4.1 The definition of organic agriculture .......................................................... 22
2.4.2 Effects of organic materials on the soil ....................................................... 22
2.4.2.1 Effects of organic materials on physical properties of the soil ................ 22
2.4.2.2 Effects of organic materials on chemical properties of the soil ............... 25
2.4.2.3 Effects of organic materials on biological properties of the soil ............. 28
2.4.3 Studies on using SMS, VC, manure compost, and CH ............................... 30
2.4.3.1 Studies on using SMS ............................................................................. 30

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2.4.3.2 Studies on using VC ................................................................................ .34
2.4.3.3 Studies on using manure compost ............................................................ 37
2.4.3.4 Studies on using coconut husk (CH) ........................................................ 39
CHAPTER 3......................................................................................................... 41
MATERIALS AND METHODS ......................................................................... 41
3.1 The experiment setup ..................................................................................... 41
3.1.1 Experiment I: Effects of SMS and VC on the growth and nutrient
uptake of honeydew melon (Cucumismelo L. inodorus) seedlings ..................... 41
3.1.2 Experiment II: Use of organic materials as growing media for honeydew
melon (Cucumismelo L. inodorus) seedlings in organic agriculture ......................... 42
3.1.3 Experiment III: Effects of organic materials on growth, yield, and fruit
quality of honeydew melon (Cucumismelo L. inodorus) .................................... 44
3.1.4 Experiment IV: Effects of continuously applying organic materials
on soil properties, growth and yield of honeydew melon (CucumismeloL.

inodorus) .............................................................................................................. 46
3.1.4.1 The first season (spring 2014) .................................................................. 46
3.1.4.2 The second season (summer 2014) .......................................................... 48
3.2 Observations recorded .................................................................................... 49
3.2.1 Stage of seedling production ....................................................................... 49
3.2.1.1 Physical and chemical properties of substrate ......................................... 49
3.2.1.2 Morphological growth and nutrient content of seedlings ........................ 50
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3.2.2 Stage of plant production in net house ........................................................ 51
3.2.2.1 Soil properties .......................................................................................... 51
3.2.2.2 Morphological growth, yield, and quality of honeydew .......................... 52
3.3 Statistical analysis .......................................................................................... 53
CHAPTER 4......................................................................................................... 54
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ........................................................................... 54
4.1 Effects of SMS and VC on the growth and nutrient uptake of honeydew
melon (Cucumismelo L. inodorus) seedlings ...................................................... 54
4.1.1 Physical and chemical properties of growing media .................................. 54
4.1.2 Nutrient concentration of the growing media ............................................ .61
4.1.3 Morphological growth of honeydew melon seedlings ................................ 63
4.1.4 Nutritional status of honeydew melon seedlings ........................................ 71
4.1.5 Conclusion for experiment 1 ....................................................................... 80
4.2 Use of organic materials as growing media for honeydew melon
seedlings in organic agriculture ........................................................................... 82
4.2.1 Physical and chemical properties of the growing media ............................ 82
4.2.2 Nutrient concentration of the growing media ............................................. 85

4.2.3 Morphological growth of honeydew melon seedlings ................................ 87
4.2.4 Nutritional status of honeydew melon seedlings ........................................ 94
4.2.5 Conclusion for experiment 2 ....................................................................... 99
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4.3 Effects of organic materials and seedlings on growth, yield, and fruit
quality of honeydew melon ................................................................................ 101
4.3.1 Physical and chemical properties of soils 30 days after applying ........... 101
4.3.2 Vegetative growth of honeydew melon .................................................... .103
4.3.3 Nutrient concentrations in the shoots of honeydew melon ....................... 104
4.3.4 Yield and some related parameters ........................................................... 107
4.3.5 Fruit quality ............................................................................................... 105
4.3.6 Conclusion for experiment 3 ..................................................................... 109
4.4 Effects of continuous application of organic materials on soil properties,
growth and yield of honeydew melon (CucumismeloL. inodorus) ........................112
4.4.1 Effects of organic materials on pH, EC, and OM of the soil .....................112
4.4.2 Effects of organic materials on macronutrient content in the soil .............118
4.4.3 Effects of organic materials on plant growth parameters ........................ .122
4.4.4 Effects of organic materials on nutrient concentrations in the shoots of
honeydew melon at flowering stage…............................................................... 128
4.4.5 Effects of organic materials on some yield parameters ........................... .134
4.4.6 Conclusion for experiment 4 ..................................................................... 140
CHAPTER 5....................................................................................................... 144
GENERAL CONCLUSION. ............................................................................. 144
REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 147
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF AUTHOR ...................................................... 176

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.

Melon production in leading countries and the world (20052012) ..................................................................................... 11

Table 2.

Physical and chemical properties of VC and SMS used in
the experiment. .................................................................... 44

Table 3.

Composition of the growing media used in the experiment 45

Table 4.

Physical and chemical properties of SMS, VC, CaMC, and CH
in the experiment .................................................................. 46

Table 5.

Composition of the growing media used in the experiment 47

Table 6.

Physical and chemical properties of the soil in the net house
before planting...................................................................... 47

Table 7.

Properties of SMS and ChMC used in the experiment ........ 48

Table 8.

Some parameters of seedlings for transplanting .................. 49

Table 9.

Physical and chemical properties of VC and SMS used in
the experiment ................................................................ 50

Table 10.

Composition and amount of organic materials in each
treatment .......................................................................... 51

Table 11.

Composition and amount of organic materials in each
treatment................................................................................ 52

Table 12.

Physical and chemical properties of the growing media ...... 58

Table 13.

Macronutrient concentrations of the growing media extracted
with 0.1N HCl ...................................................................... 61

Table 14.

Micronutrient concentrations of the growing media extracted

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with 0.1N HCl ...................................................................... 63
Table 15.

Effects of the growing media on the morphological growth of
honeydew melon seedlings 4 weeks after sowing................ 67

Table 16.

Effects of the growing media on the morphological growth of
honeydew melon seedlings 4 weeks after sowing................ 70

Table 17.

Effects of the growing media on the macronutrient contents of

honeydew melon seedling after sowing 4 weeks ................. 74

Table 18.

Effects of the growing media on micronutrient contents of
honeydew melon seedling after sowing 4 weeks ................. 79

Table 19.

Physical and chemical properties of the growing media ...... 83

Table 20.

Macro and micronutrient concentrations of the growing media
extracted with 0.1N HCl....................................................... 86

Table 21.

Macro and micronutrient concentrations of the growing media
extracted with 0.1N HCl....................................................... 88

Table 22.

Effects of the growing media on the morphological growth of
honeydew melon seedlings 4 weeks after sowing… ........... 91

Table 23.

Effects of the growing media on the morphological growth of
honeydew melon seedlings 4 weeks after sowing................ 93

Table 24.

Effects of the growing media on the macronutrient contents of
honeydew melon seedlings after sowing 4 weeks................ 98

Table 25.

Effects of the growing media on the micronutrient contents of
honeydew melon seedling after sowing 4 weeks ............... 100

Table 26.

Effects of organic materials on the soil properties (30 days
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after applying) .................................................................... 106
Table 27.

Effects of organic materials on vegetative growth of honeydew
melon (30 days after transplanting).................................... 108

Table 28.

Effects

of

organic

materials

on

the

macronutrient

concentrations in the shoots of honeydew melon at the
flowering stage ................................................................... 109
Table 29.

Effects

of

organic

materials

on

the

micronutrient

concentrations in the shoots of honeydew melon at the
flowering stage ................................................................... 110
Table 30.

Effects of organic materials on some parameters of honeydew
melon yield ......................................................................... 111

Table 31.

Effects of organic materials on some parameters............... 113

Table 32.

Effects of different organic materials on available N, P, and K
content in the soil at two weeks after applying and at the
flowering stage ................................................................... 125

Table 33.

Effects of different organic materials on available Ca and Mg
content in the soil at two weeks after applying ................ 126

Table 34.

Effects of different organic materials on some vegetative growth
parameters of honeydew melon (4 weeks after planting) ....... 130

Table 35.

Effects of different organic materials on macronutrient

concentrations of melon shoot at flowering stage .............. 135

Table 36.

Effects of different organic materials on micronutrient

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concentrations of the shoots at flowering stage ................. 138
Table 37.

Effects of different organic materials on some parameters of
honeydew melon yield ....................................................... 141

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.

Area harvested of melons in the world (2000-2012) ....................... 12

Figure 2.

Yield of melons in the world (2000-2012) ...................................... 13

Figure 3.

The relationship between bulk density and water holding
capacity ........................................................................................... 59

Figure 4.

pH value of experimental growing media ....................................... 59

Figure 5.

EC value of experimental growing media ....................................... 60

Figure 6.

The seedling germination rate in different growing media ............. 64

Figure 7.

The relationship between germination rate of honeydew
melon seeds and EC of the growing media ..................................... 65

Figure 8.

The relationship between germination rate of honeydew
melon seeds and WHC of the growing media ................................. 65

Figure 9.

The relationship between physical and chemical properties of
the growing media and germination rate via PLS regression
model................................................................................................ 66

Figure 10. The relationship between dry weight and macronutrient
concentration of the growing media via PLS regression model.......... 68
Figure 11. The relationship between chlorophyll content in the leaves of
honeydew melon seedlings and N content of the growing media......... 71
Figure 12. The relationship between chlorophyll content in the leaves of
seedlings and macronutrient concentration of the growing
media and via PLS regression mode ................................................ 72
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Figure 13. The relationship between N content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings and N content of the growing media ........................ 75
Figure 14. The relationship between N content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings and pH value of the growing media. ......................... 75
Figure 15. The relationship between P content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings and P content of the growing media .......................... 76
Figure 16. The relationship between P content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings P content and pH value of the growing media
.......................................................................................................... 76
Figure 17. The relationship between K content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings and K content of the growing media. ............................ 77

Figure 18.

The relationship between K content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings and pH value of the growing media. ............................. 77

Figure 19.

The relationship between Ca content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings and Ca content of the growing media ........................... 78

Figure 20.

The relationship between Mg content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings and Mg content of the growing media ....................... 78

Figure 21. The relationship between Cu content in the shoots of honeydew
melon seedlings and Cu content of the growing media........................ 80
Figure 22. The relationship Cu content in the shoots of honeydew melon
seedlings and EC value of the growing media................................. 81
Figure 23. Effects of organic materials on pH value ...................................... .84

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Figure 24. Effects of organic materials on EC value ...................................... .85
Figure 25. The seedling germination rate in different growing media ............. 89
Figure 26. The relationship between physical, chemical properties of the

growing media and germination rate via PLS regression model .......... 89
Figure 27. The relationship between nutrient concentration of the growing
media and seedling dry weight via PLS regression model .................. .92
Figure 28. The relationship between root volume of honeydew melon
seedlings and aeration porosity of the growing media .................... 95
Figure 29. The relationship between root volume of honeydew melon
seedlings and bulk density of the growing media ........................... .95
Figure 30. The relationship between root volume of honeydew melon
seedlings and EC value of the growing media................................. 96
Figure 31. The relationship between physical, chemical properties of the
growing media and seedling root volume via PLS regression
model................................................................................................ 96
Figure 32. The relationship between chlorophyll content in the leaves of
honeydew melon seedlings and N content of the growing media ......... .97
Figure 33.

The relationship between Ca concentration in the shoots of
honeydew melon seedlings and Ca content of the growing media ......... 99

Figure 34. The relationship between Fe concentration in the shoots of
honeydew melon seedlings and Fe content of the growing media ....... 101
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Figure 35. The relationship between Mn concentration in the shoots of
honeydew melon seedlings and Mn content of the growing media ....... 102
Figure 36.

The relationship between Zn concentration in the shoots of
honeydew melon seedlings and Zn content of the growing media ....... 102

Figure 37. Effects of organic materials on the soil pH values in the spring
season 2014 .....................................................................................118
Figure 38. Effects of organic materials on the soil pH values in the
summer season 2014 .......................................................................118
Figure 39. Effects of organic materials on the soil EC values in the spring
season 2014 .................................................................................... 120
Figure 40. Effects of organic materials on the soil EC values in the
summer season 2014 ...................................................................... 120
Figure 41. Effects of organic materials on the soil organic matter content
in the spring season 2014 ............................................................... 122
Figure 42. Effects of organic materials on the soil organic matter content
in the summer season 2014 ............................................................ 122
Figure 43. Effects of organic materials on plant height of honeydew
melon plants (4 weeks after transplanting) .................................... 128
Figure 44. Effects of organic materials on leaf number of honeydew
melon plants (4 weeks after transplanting) .................................... 129
Figure 45. The relationship between fresh plant weight at the flowering
stage and soil inorganic-N content at 2 weeks after applying
organic materials ............................................................................ 131
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Figure 46. The relationship between fresh plant weight at the flowering

stage and soil Bray- P content at 2 weeks .................................... 132
Figure 47. The relationship between fresh plant weight at the flowering
stage and exchange K content at 2 weeks .................................... 132
Figure 48. The relationship between fresh plant weight at the flowering
stage and soil EC value, inorganic-N, Bray- P, exchange K
content at 2 weeks after applying organic materials via PLS
regression model ............................................................................ 133
Figure 49. The relationship between N concentration in the shoots at the
flowering stage and soil inorganic N content at 2 weeks after
applying organic materials ............................................................. 134
Figure 50. The relationship between P concentration in the shoots at the
flowering stage and soil Bray- P content at 2 weeks ..................... 136
Figure 51. The relationship between K concentration in the shoots at the
flowering stage and soil exchange K content at 2 weeks after
applying organic materials ............................................................. 136
Figure 52. The relationship between Ca concentration in the shoots at
the flowering stage and soil exchange Ca content at 2 weeks
after applying organic materials .................................................... 137
Figure 53. The relationship between Mg concentration in the shoots at
the flowering stage and exchange Mg content at 2 weeks after
applying organic materials ............................................................. 137

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Figure 54. The relationship between mean fruit weight and N content in
the shoots at the harvesting stage ................................................... 142

Figure 55. The relationship between mean fruit weight and P content in
the shoots at the harvesting stage ................................................... 143
Figure 56. The relationship between mean fruit weight and K content in
the shoots at the harvesting stage ................................................... 143
Figure 57. The relationship between mean fruit weight and Ca content in
the shoots at the harvesting stage ................................................... 144
Figure 58. The relationship between mean fruit weight and Mg content
in the shoots at the harvesting stage… .......................................... 144
Figure 59. The relationship between mean fruit weight and Mg content
in the shoots at the harvesting stage .............................................. 145
Figure 60. The relationship between mean fruit weight and nutrient
content in the shoots at the flowering stage via PLS regression
model.............................................................................................. 145

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LIST OF PICTURES
Picture 1.

Honeydew melon seedlings of experiment 1 at 2 weeks
after sowing ................................................................................. 82

Picture 2.

Honeydew melon seedlings of experiment 1 for transplanting ........ 82

Picture 3.

Honeydew melon seedlings of experiment 2 at 2 weeks after
sowing ....................................................................................... 104

Picture 4.

Honeydew melon seedlings of experiment 2 at 4 weeks after
sowing ....................................................................................... 104

Picture 5.

Honeydew melon plants of experiment 3 at 5 weeks after
transplanting .............................................................................. 115

Picture 6.

Honeydew melon fruit of M2S1 in experiment 3 at 9 weeks
after transplanting ...................................................................... 115

Picture 7.

Honeydew melon fruit of M2S3 in experiment 3 at 9 weeks
after transplanting .................................................................................. 116

Picture 8.

Honeydew melon fruit of M2S1 in experiment 3 at 11weeks
after transplanting .................................................................................. 116

Picture 9.

Honeydew melon plants of experiment 4 in the spring season
2014 at 3 weeks after transplanting.................................................. 146

Picture 10.

Honeydew melon plants of experiment 4 in the spring season
2014 at the stage of fruit set .............................................................. .147

Picture 11.

Honeydew melon fruits of experiment 4 in the spring season
2014 were harvested… .......................................................................... 147
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Picture 12.

Honeydew melon fruit of treatment 9 in experiment 4 (the
spring season 2014) ................................................................... 148

Picture 13.

Honeydew melon plants of experiment 4 in the summer
season 2014 at the flowering stage ............................................ 148

Picture 14.

Honeydew melon fruit of treatment 6 in experiment 4 (the
summer season 2014) … ........................................................... 149

Picture 15.

Honeydew melon fruit of treatment 9 in experiment 4 (the
summer season 2014) ................................................................ 149

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Honeydew melon (CucumismeloL. inodorus), one of the most expensive
vegetables in the world, belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae that includes green
or white-fleshed casaba, dark green, wrinkled rind and pink flesh crenshaw,
orange-fleshed Persian, Juan Canary, and Santa Claus melons (Munger and
Robinson, 1991). Since ancient time, this crop and has been cultivated in Asia,
West Africa and Mediterranean regions (Anonymous, 2006). Recently, it is a
popular fruit because of its pleasant odor and sweet taste (Villanueva et al., 2004).
Honeydew melon belonging to the winter melon group is vine tender annual crop
that has fruit with smooth surface, little of the musky odor, ripening late (Harunor
Rashid et al., 2014). Mature fruits are used as dessert or eaten fresh which is rich
in sugars, vitamins and minerals. In100 g edible portion, a melon fruit contains

96.5 g water, 2.2 g carbohydrate, 0.5 g crude fiber, 0.4 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 9 mg
phosphorus, 233 micrograms β-carotene, 0.04 mg thiamin, 0.10 mg riboflavin, 0.4
mg niacin and 18 mg vitamin C (Jompitak, 2002). Honeydew melon is a rich
source of nutrition and has a high demand in the world (Harunor Rashid et al.,
2014; Suriyan et al., 2011).
In the past, agricultural production had purpose on maximizing the quantity
of crop produced for market demand. The use of capital inputs such as fossil fuels,
chemical fertilizers and pesticides, patented genetic material, and machinery has
played a key role in helping farmers achieve their goals, which include higher crop
yields (Beckie, 2000). However, agriculture production with using a large number
of inorganic fertilizer negatively influence on quality of agricultural products,
human and environment. Nowadays, one of the major concerns in the world is the
pollution and contamination of soil. More than 300 million pounds of
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different chemical poison are now produced in the form of fertilizers and pesticides
under different brand names (Anitha et al., 2014). Excessive use of inorganic
fertilizers has caused negative effect on the environment as well affects human
population indirectly. Inorganic fertilizers mainly contain nitrate, phosphate,
ammonium and potassium salts. Inorganic fertilizer is considered to be source of
natural radionuclides and heavy metals as a potential source. It contains a large
majority of the heavy metals like As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Ni, and Cu (Serpil, 2012; Sönmez
et al., 2007). According to some scientists in industrial agriculture, they see that
the farm as factory that uses huge quantities of fossil fuels, fertilizers, pesticides,
water, topsoil, and produces not only food stuff and livestock, but huge amounts
of waste as well (Horrigan et al., 2002). In recent years, inorganic fertilizer use
increased exponentially throughout the world, results in serious environmental
problems. The global warming has become a big issue, the main reason is the
tremendous emissions of greenhouse gas, and agriculture is a major contributor to

emission the methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2). On a
global scale, agricultural land use in the 1990s has been responsible for
approximately 15% of all GHG emissions (Herencia et al., 2008). Surprisingly,
organic agriculture can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, through the
promotion of aerobic microorganisms and high biological activity in soils, the
oxidation of methane can be increased. Decrease in using agro-chemicals, such as
pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, can effectively protect the environment.
The influence of inorganic fertilizer application on agriculture is seen not only
in terms of the soil quality but also on the survival of soil organisms. Plants absorb
the inorganic fertilizers through the soil and they can enter the food chain. Thus,
fertilization leads to soil, water, and air pollution. Moreover, the use of inorganic
fertilizers leads to imperfectly synthesized protein in leaves, which causes poor
crops and in turn for pathological conditions in animals and humans fed with such
deficient food (Anitha et al., 2014). Recently, health conscious consumers are
interested in optimizing the nutritional composition with minimal chemical
residues on foods made through environmentally friendly agricultural practices
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