Quality and storage life of oriental pickling melon [Cucumis melo var.conomon(L) Makino] as influenced by major nutrients

Abstract

The oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. cocomon (L) Makino) was grown in a randomised block design under different organic and inorganic fertiliser treatments, with four replications at the Main Campus of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, to study the effect of organic and inorganic manures on the yield, quality and storage life of this crop. The yield response of oriental pickling melon to different treatments was found to be significantly different. The treatment which received the highest dose of NPK in the organic and inorganic combination recorded the maximum yield per plot and number of fruits per plot whereas the treatments which received NPK through organic manures alone recorded relatively low yield. The weight and size of fruits were maximum when the highest dose of NPK was given completely in the inorganic form. The quality of the fruit was assessed by estimating the nutrient content at harvest; moisture, acidity, vitamin C, starch, total soluble solids and crude fibre content of fruits at harvest and thereafter at monthly intervals during storage. Significant difference was observed between treatments for these quality characteristics. During storage moisture, starch and vitamin C content of fruits showed steady decline irrespective of the treatments, whereas acidity and total soluble solids showed an initial increase followed by a gradual decline. The effect of organic and inorganic manures on storage life of oriental pickling melon was assessed by recording the rotting percentage of fruits during storage and it was found that increased degree of rotting occurred in treatments which received inorganic form of NPK, during all periods of storage. The organic form of manures showed a definite advantage over inorganic fertilisers in respect of the storability of oriental pickling melon.