Use of Organic Materials as Growing Media for Honeydew Melon Seedlings in Organic Agriculture

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to determine the possibility of using organic materials for the honeydew melon seedling production. Honeydew melon was grown in nine media with different rates of spent mushroom substrate (SMS), vermicompost (VC), cattle manure compost (CaMC), and coconut fiber (CF). Element sulfur was also added to mixtures at a rate of 1.0 g kg⁻¹ substrate. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results determined that all media had desirable physical properties. At the same rates of SMS and VC, CF supported better growth of seedling than CaMC. Seedlings treated with CF had higher morphological growth parameters. It is suggested that CF should be used as an additive for media of SMS and VC. The study clearly indicated that the growing medium with 50% SMS, 30% VC, and 20% CF gave the best condition for honeydew melon seedlings.

KEYWORDS:

• Cattle manure compost
• coconut fiber
• growing media
• seedling
• spent mushroom substrate
• vermicompost