Speaker
Description
Abstract
Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) is a high-value horticultural crop well adapted to warm and dry climatic conditions; however, productivity in Sri Lanka’s dry zone remains limited due to unsuitable soil conditions and the high cost of conventional growing media. Protected cultivation can improve yield and fruit quality, but its sustainability depends on the availability of low-cost and locally sourced growing media. Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) residues are abundant in the dry zone and remain underutilised despite their potential as organic growing media.
This study evaluated the effects of palmyrah-based growing media on the growth, yield and quality of cantaloupe under protected conditions using a Randomized Complete Block Design with four growing media treatments and twelve replications. Different combinations of palmyrah residues, cocopeat, partially burnt rice husk, and soil were tested under polytunnel conditions with drip fertigation. Growth, yield and fruit quality parameters were recorded.
The growing media composition significantly influenced plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. The treatment comprising cocopeat, palmyrah dry flowers and partially burnt rice husk produced the highest mean plant height (170 cm), stem girth (9.5 mm) and leaf area index (4.0). This treatment also recorded a higher mean number of fruits per plant (4.0) and mean total yield (4.0 kg plant⁻¹), representing an increase of approximately 25% compared to the soil-based control. Fruit quality was enhanced, with a mean total soluble solids content of 12.2 °Brix. Overall, palmyrah-based growing media demonstrated strong potential as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional growing media for protected cultivation in the dry zone.
Keywords: Cantaloupe, Dry zone, Growing media, Palmyrah residues, Protected cultivation
