Change of Melon Agrobiological Indicators Depending on Feeding Area of Plants

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to study and identify the optimal method of sowing and plant feeding surface in seed-production of melon crop, providing a high yield of healthy varietal seeds with a low self-cost. The experiments were carried out in 2018–2020. on the experimental fields of the Scientific Center of Vegetable and Industrial Crops of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia. The influence of the sowing scheme 200+80/2×60, 200+80/2×80 and 200+80/2×100 cm on phenological and quality indicators, fruit and seed productivity, average fruit weight, and resistance to diseases was studied. The study object was mid-early ripening melon variety Arpi, which is distinguished by high productivity and taste quality. The control was the sowing scheme 200+80/2×80 cm, which is generally accepted in the agricultural technology of melon cultivation in the Ararat valley. It was found that in case of low-density planting of plants (1.4 m2), the weight of one fruit is the heaviest (4.0 kg), but the productivity of the fruits is reduced by 11.6% in comparison with the control, and in case of high-density planting by 19.3%. Meanwhile, as the feeding area of one plant increases, in relation to the total yield the marketable yield increases, respectively 92.3%; 94.1% and 95.3%. The results of the experiments allow us to state the fact that high density of the seed producing field (feeding area 0.84 m2) contributes to an increase of seed yield by 27.3% compared to the control, to some extent reducing the self cost of seeds, however significant changes in quality indicators of the Arpi variety were not found. In its turn, early diagnosis of diseases based on the modern PCR method allows to take protective measures in time and accordingly contributes to the production of healthy seeds.