Effect of substrate on vegetative growth, quantitative and qualitative production of muskmelon (Cucumis melo) conducted in soilless culture

Abstract

Greenhouses heated and irrigated by geothermic water, constitute a promoter sector in the South of Tunisia. 
However, simultaneous salinity of sand and water of irrigation limits amply, the development of this sector. To 
control salinity, it seems efficient to adopt interesting agricultural techniques like soilless culture. The selection 
of suitable media is the key that ensures the success of this technique, seeing that the adoption of not 
standardized one, limits the correct nutrient solution management so the development of plant. The substrate 
selection must consider technical and economical implications. In this framework, two ubiquitous substrates of 
the South of Tunisia, sand and compost of dry palms, were compared to the imported media, perlite, for soilless 
culture of muskmelon (Cucumis melo ). This study was based on the vegetative growth, quantitative and 
qualitative production. Results have shown that local substrates have simulated, in relation to perlite, strong 
and deep roots that permit an effective absorption of nutrients. Subsequently, leaves were larger, their content 
in fresh and dry matter were higher and stems were taller. This superiority was sustained by superiority of index 
of growth, NAR. This behavior has reverberated on precocity and yield that were greater on these two media. As 
regard to external characteristics of fruits, firmness and diameter were higher particularly on compost. With 
exception of pH, gustative quality was not affected by type of substrate.