EFFECT OF GROWING MEDIUM ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF HAPPY 6 MELON IN THE PLASTIC GREENHOUSE DURING THE SPRING-SUMMER CROP 2023, THAI NGUYEN PROVINCE

Abstract

The Happy 6 yellow melon variety is a newly developed cultivar by the Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute, known for its high yield, quality, and economic efficiency, leading to an expansion in production. To determine the most suitable growing medium for this melon variety, a trial study involving six types of growing media was conducted during the Spring-Summer crop of 2023 within the plastic greenhouse at the Faculty of Agronomy, TUAF. Research findings revealed that treatment 4 (consisting of 60% soil, 20% rice husk, and 20% vermicompost) exhibited the best growth and development. This treatment demonstrated early female flowering and a harvest completion within 63.26 days after planting. Additionally, the average number of female flowers and pods reached 11.13 flowers per plant and 5.5 fruits per tree, respectively. The average fruit weight was 397.33 grams per fruit, resulting in an actual fruit yield of 28.8 quintals per 1,000 square meters, significantly higher than other treatments. Furthermore, treatment 4 produced the best fruit quality with a fruit pulp ratio of 74.04%, brix level of 14.1%, total sugar content of 3.81%, and vitamin C content of 16.83 mg/100g of fruit flesh. Notably, the Happy 6 yellow melon variety in the experiment exhibited minimal susceptibility to insects and remained free from diseases.