Impacts of vermicomposting rates on growth, yield and qualities of red seedless watermelon

Abstract

A study was conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) with an objective of determining the best rates for vermicompost application on red seedless watermelon var. Crimson sweet. In this research, watermelon crimson red flesh seedless variety was used as planting materials and different application rates of vermicompost were the major factor of the experiment. The research was a potted layout experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD). Sixteen ( Application of vermicompost at the rates of 5, 10, 15, 20 t ha -1 and untreated control were applied, with four replications each, single plant was taken as an experimental unit from each replicate. Vermicompost treatment at the rate of 15 t ha -1 increased stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and the least days required to 50% flowering was significantly different compared with other treatments and control. The vermicompost application at the rate of 20 t ha -1 positively influences leaf area, net photosynthetic rate, internal carbon dioxide, number of flowers and fruits weight of watermelon. This findings also revealed that quality properties of watermelon like rind thickeness, TSS, pH, anthocyanin, juice and ash contents were improved with the application rate of 20 t ha -1