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AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK RESEARCH - ANNUAL REPORT 2009

RESPONSE OF SWEET MELON TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF

NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM FERTIGATION

Abstract

Four levels of urea as source of nitrogen 0.0, 200, 300 and 400 kg/ha and three levels of potassium sulfate 0.0, 300 and 400 kg/ha

as source of potassium were used to study their response on Sweet melon crop in two locations, Jimmah Research Station and

Sohar Research Farm during 2005-2007 seasons under Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications. The

results indicated that there were no significant differences (p>0-05) in both potassium and nitrogen rates in both locations for

number of fruits /m2. Average fruit weight (kg) varied from 1.9 to 2.0 and 1.4 to 1.5 for potassium and nitrogen in Jimmah and

from 1.8 to 2.2 and 1.4 to 1.5 for potassium and nitrogen in Sohar without any significant differences between the treatments. The

treatment K2gave highest number of fruits/m2(1.6) in Sohar and K1(1.4) in Jimmah. In general number of fruits was higher in

Sohar than in Jimmah for all the treatments. Jimmah produced heaviest fruits as compared to Sohar. No significant differences

were observed in potassium rates, nitrogen rates and interactions in yield in both locations. No significant differences were

observed in flesh thickness (cm) and total soluble percentage between the effects of potassium, nitrogen rates and their

interactions in both locations. Significant differences were observed between potassium rates and nitrogen rates in vacuole

thickness only in Sohar.

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KHh SJd Qc SJdG Sh Qg/ c 400 ,300 ,200 ,0 je HQCHh Lhd Qc jQdG GSG

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.a QU a SJdGh LhdG je H IdG S a je ha OLh Md .bdG

PLANT PRODUCTION RESEARCH CENTER VEGETABLE RESEARCH LAB.


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INTRODUCTION

Sweet melon is an important summer vegetable crop in Oman. Many varieties were tested and evaluated for

adaptability; yield and quality potential in previous years and the top yielding cultivars were recommended

and released to the farmers. The productivity of these released varieties can be improved if proper culturalpractices were applied. Of all cultural practices fertigation is the most important in increasing yields in

sweetmelon. This study was therefore, conducted to know the effect of varying nitrogen and potassium levels

on growth and yield of sweetmelon in two different environmental locations (Jimmah and Sohar).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted at Sohar and Jimmah research stations for three years from 2005 to 2007. The

variety joyce F1 was used as recommended variety. Four levels of urea as source of nitrogen (0.0,200,300,400)

and three levels of potassium sulfate as source of potassium (0.0,300, and 400 kg/ha) were used. The treatments

were arranged in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications. The plot size was 12 m 2

(6m x 2m). Drip irrigation system was used. Spacing between plants was 50 cm.The levels of nitrogen andpotassium studied were split up into doses according to the plant stages (vegetative, flowering and fruiting)

and applied through fertilizer tank during the course of the trials. Triple super phosphate was added during

land preparations. Days from planting to first harvest and harvesting period were counted. Number of fruits

were counted and weighed (fruit weight (kg)) by taking three fruit samples. These fruit samples were analysed

for flesh and vacuole thickness and total soluble solids ( TSS) in percentage. The data were statistically analyzed

using Mstat-C.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Yield components and yield:

No significant differences were recorded for the effects of potassium rates, nitrogen rates and interactions inboth Sohar and Jimmah in respect of fruit number and fruit weight. Increasing nitrogen rates did not show

large effect on fruit number in both locations although treatment N2showed slight increase in number of fruits

per square meter in Sohar as well as in Jimmah (Tables 1a and 1b). The.same trend was observed for potassium

rates, as K2 gave numerically higher number of fruits/ m2 (1.6) in Sohar and K1(1.4) in Jimmah. In general

number of fruits was more in Sohar than in Jimmah in all the treatments.

Table 1 a. Fruit number/m2as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three seasons at

Sohar

Potassium rates Nitrogen Rates Means

N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.3 1.5

K1 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.5

K2 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6

Mean 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.5

LSD at 0.05 for Potassium = NS, LSD at 0.05 for Nitrogen = NS; LSD at 0.05 for (KxN) = NS



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Table 1 b. Fruit number/m2as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three seasons in

Jimmah


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 1.00 1.20 1.45 1.31 1.24

K1 1.41 1.23 1.49 1.39 1.38

K2 1.05 1.23 1.24 1.31 1.21

Mean 1.15 1.22 1.39 1.34

LSD at 0.05 for Potassium = NS ; LSD at 0.05 for Nitrogen = 0.13; LSD at 0.05 for (KxN) = NS

Average fruit weight (kg) varied from 1.9 to 2.0 and 1.4 to 1.5 for potassium in Jimmah and Sohar and 1.8 to 2.2

and 1.4 to 1.5 for nitrogen in Jimmah and Sohar, respectively, without any significant differences between the

treatments (Tables 2a and 2b). Jimmah produced heaviest fruits as compared to Sohar. Nitrogen and potassiumgave little effect in weight of the fruits in general.

Table 2 a. Average fruit weight (kg) as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three

seasons in Sohar


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.4

K1 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.4

K2 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5

Means 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.5

LSD at 0.05 for Potassium = NS; LSD at 0.05 for Nitrogen = NS; LSD at 0.05 for (KxN) = NS

Table 2 b. Average fruit weight (kg) as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three

seasons in Jimmah


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 2.2 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0

K1 2.1 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.9

K2 2.2 1.8 1.9 1.9 2.0Mean 2.15 1.81 1.90 1.90


No significant differences were observed in the effects of potassium rates, nitrogen rates and interactions on

yield of sweet melon in both Sohar and Jimmah. However, numerically yield was higher at higher rates, which

indicated that the fertigation had affected the yield (Tables 3 a and b). Increasing nitrogen and potassium rates

increased the yield of sweet melon in Sohar whereas in Jimmah this phenomenon was not seen with respect

to the yield of sweet melon.



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Table 3 a. Yield t/ha as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three seasons in Sohar


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 19.5 22.2 22.9 18.8 20.8

K1 19.2 19.3 22.9 24.0 21.3

K2 23.7 23.3 21.2 24.5 23.2

Mean 20.8 21.6 22.3 22.4


Table 3 b. Yield t/ha as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three seasons in Jimmah


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 20.2 21.6 25.3 26.1 23.3

K1 28.2 21.3 29.0 24.5 25.8

K2 21.4 23.6 24.0 24.7 23.5

Mean 23.3 22.1 26.1 25.1


Mohamed and El Amin (2006) indicated that total yield (ton/ha) of sweet melon increased with the increase of

nitrogen fertilizer. In the present study, the yield varied from 20.8 to 23.2 t/ha in Sohar and from 23.3 to 25.8 t/

ha in Jimmah for potassium rates and from 20.8 to 22.4 t/ha in Sohar and from 22.1 to 26.1t/ha in Jimmah fornitrogen rates. All the rates of nitrogen and potassium produced high yield as compared to control in Sohar

whereas in Jimmah these were inconsistent. Treatment K2N3 (400 N kg/ha, 400 K kg/ha) produced highest yield

of 24.5t/ha in Sohar while treatment K1N2(300 N kg/ha, 300 K kg/ha) gave highest yield of 29.0 t/ha in Jimmah.

The results indicated that yield of Sweet melon increased numerically with increase of nitrogen and potassium

fertilizers as compared to control (zero nitrogen and zero potassium) (Table 3 a and b). The increase in yield by

increase of nitrogen and potassium fertilizer rates were confirmed by the many workers (Rahn and Philips, 1946,

Zink and Davis, 1951, Carew et.al.,1953, Davis et.al., 1953, Sharples and Foster, 1958 and Bhella and Wilox 1989).

The authors reported that excellent crop can be grown with application of inorganic fertilizers and yield could

be generally increased by addition of inorganic fertilizers. According to them, the increased yield from N

treatmentwas due to increased vine size and increased numbers of fruits.

Quality attributes:

No significant differences were observed between the effects of potassium, nitrogen rates and interactions on

flesh thickness (cm) and total soluble solids (TSS %) in both Sohar and Jimmah (Tables 4 a and 4 b)



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Table 4 a. Flesh thickness cm as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three seasons in

Sohar


N0 N1 N2 N3K0 4.0 4.2 4.3 4.5 4.2

K1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.2 4.3

K2 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.4 4.4

Mean 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.4


Table 4 b. Flesh Thickness (cm) as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three seasons

in Jimmah


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 4.2 4.7 4.4 4.8 4.5

K1 4.4 4.1 4.4 4.3 4.3

K2 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.3 4.5

Mean 4.4 4.4 4.5 4.5


Increasing nitrogen rates gave positive effects on flesh thickness in both Sohar and Jimmah. Increasing

nitrogen rates increased the flesh thickness of the fruit where as potassium had positive effect in Sohar but

inconsistent effect in Jimmah.

Significant differences were observed between potassium rates and nitrogen rates for vacuole thickness in

Sohar whereas no significant differences were observed among the effects of potassium rates and nitrogen

rates and their interactions on vacuole thickness in Jimmah (Tables 5a and 5b)

Table 5 a. Vacuole thickness cm as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three seasons

in Sohar


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 6.3 6.4 6.4 6.6 6.4

K1 6.9 6.4 6.2 6.7 6.5

K2 6.7 6.9 6.4 7.2 6.8

Mean 6.6 6.6 6.3 6.8

LSD at 0.05 for Potassium = 0.19; LSD at 0.05 for Nitrogen = 0.22; LSD at 0.05 for (KxN) = NS



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Table 5 b. Vacuole Thickness (cm) as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for three

seasons in Jimmah


N0 N1 N2 N3K0 6.6 6.9 6.9 6.6 6.7

K1 6.5 6.4 7.3 6.2 6.6

K2 6.8 6.7 6.4 6.4 6.6

Mean 6.7 6.7 6.9 6.4


Higher values of TSS % (total soluble solids) were found in Jimmah than in Sohar (Tables 6 a and 6 b).

Table 6 a. Total Soluble Solids Percentage (%) as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation for

three seasons in Sohar


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 7.2 7.3 7.1 8.0 7.4

K1 7.2 8.0 7.6 7.8 7.6

K2 6.9 8.0 8.1 7.8 7.7

Mean 7.1 7.8 7.6 7.8

LSD at 0.05 for Potassium = NS; LSD at 0.05 for Nitrogen = NS; LSD at 0.05 for (KxN) =NS

Table 6 b. Total Soluble Solids Percentages (%) as affected by potassium and nitrogen fertigation forthree seasons in Jimmah


N0 N1 N2 N3

K0 9.7 10.3 9.9 10.2 10.0

K1 10.2 10.3 10.0 10.0 10.1

K2 10.0 10.0 10.4 9.8 10.0

Mean 10.0 10.2 10.1 10.0


Conclusion:

There were no significant differences between the treatments and the sweet melon yield (t/ha) was nearly the

same between the treatments in both locations viz. Sohar and Jimmah. The most economic treatments like

K2N3 (400 N kg/ha, 400 K kg/ha) yielding 24.5 t/ha in Sohar and K1N2(300 N kg/ha, 300 K kg/ha) yielding 29.0

t/ha in Jimmah, could be recommended for testing in on-farm trials next season.



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REFERENCES

Bhella, H. S. and Wilcox

G. E. (1989).Lime and nitrogen influence soil acidity, nutritional status, vegetative

growth and yield of muskmelon. Journal of American Society of Hor ticultural Science, 114(4): 606-610.

Carew, J. C., Chupp, C. and Leipy R. W. (1953). Musk-melons and watermelons. Bulletin of New YorkAgricultural Company. Cornell, 11: PP: [878].

Davis, G. N.; Whitaker, T. W. and Bohn, G. W. (1953). Growing and handling cantaloupes and other melons

in California. Circular of California Experimental Station. pp: 429- 437.

Mohamed, A. and El-Amin, S. M. (2006).Comparison between urea and chicken manure as fertilizers for

producing muskmelon (Cucumis melo l.) fruits in Khart-oum State for export. J. Sc. Tech Vol. 7(1):

Rahn, E. M. and Philips, W. H. (1945).The effect of various fertilizer and manure treatments on yield, size,

stand and disease resistance of Cantaloupes. Bull. Univ. Del. Agric. Exp. Sta. 256: 42.

Sharples, G. C. and Foster, R. E. (1958).The growth and composition of Cantaloupe plants in relation to the

calcium saturation percentage and nitrogen level of the soil, Journal of American Society of

Horticultural Science, 72: PP: [417 425].

Zink, F. W. and Davis, G. N. (1951).Nitrogen on cantaloupes. California Agriculture, 5(6): 9.



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EVALUATION OF CUCUMBER IN DIFFERENT CULTURE MEDIA UNDER

SOILLESS GROWING TECHNIQUES (OPEN SYSTEM)

UNDER GREEN HOUSE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Two different media namely wood straw and Date palm straw were used to evaluate the production of cucumber using soilless

growing technique (Open system) in green house during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons at Rumais. 250 black plastic pots

were filled with each medium. The treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five

replications. Significant (p


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Parkset al., 2004) recorded the effect of different types of substrates on crop production. The aim of this study

was to evaluate growth, yield and quality of cucumber in two types of substrates, Wood Straw (WS) and Date

palm Straw (DS) as media.


The experiment was conducted during two seasons 2007/08 and 2008/09 in a green house (270 m2) covered

with insect proof net (80 micron) using soilless growing technique (open system).Two media were used- wood

straw and date palm straw. The two media were analyzed for Ec, PH, N, P, and K. Seeds were sown in jiffy 7

during November and transplanted after ten days of the same month of the two seasons. 250 black plastic pots

were filled with each medium. The treatments were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCD)

with five replications. Plot size was 15 m2 (10 x 1.5 m). Spacing between irrigation lines was 1.5 and between

plants was 50 cm.The treatments were irrigated using irrigation controller which was arranged to irrigate the

crop, four time a day at two minutes per irrigate at the beginning and increased during the course of the

experiments to about five minutes a day. The stock solution used was prepared from ready made fertilizer from

three sources according to crop stage and requirements as follows: Amcopest (20:50:10+TE) 1.5 kg at the

seedling stage. Kristalon (20: 20: 20) 10 kg at vegetative stage up to first harvest and Kristalon (12: 12: 36+TE)

40.5 kg up to the end of the experiments. Calcium nitrate 17 kg Sulfate Magnesium 6kg. Thus, total amount of

fertilizer used was NPK- 52 kg and calcium nitrate- 17 kg. The harvesting started after one month of transplanting

and it continued for a period of two months. Number of fruits and fruit weight was recorded. Finally, the data

collected were subjected to statistical analysized using MSTATC program.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS


The results presented in Table 1 revealed significant differences between effects of wood straw and date palm

straw and their interactions in number of fruits per square meter in two years. In year 2008, mean number of

fruits were more (144) as compared to year 2009 (121) which could be attributed to the less number of harvests

during 2009 season due to infestation of crops with Aphids. Wood straw produced higher number of fruits

(137) than Date palm straw (127), as mean of two years. Number of fruits was higher in both Wood straw and

Date palm straw during 2008 season than in 2009, as the crop suffered from infestation of several aphids during

2009 which resulted in less number of harvests (Table 1)

Table 1. Number of fruits/ m2of cucumber variety Hana F1 in two different media for two seasons

in green house

Media Year 2008 Year 2009 Means

Wood straw 154 121 137

Date palm straw 134 120 127

Mean 144 121

LSD for media (p= 0.05) =3.3; LSD for years (p= 0.05) =13.0; LSD for A*B ( 0.05) =71.7

No significant differences were observed in average fruit weight for both wood straw and date palm straw. Park

et al.(2004) reported no significant effect of substrate on average weight of cucumber. Significant differences

were observed in average fruit weight for years and interactions between media and the years. Differences in



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average fruit weight could be due to the fact that during year 2008 the number of harvests were more than

that in year 2009 due to the infestation of the crop by Aphids (Table 2).

Table 2. Average fruit weight (g) of cucumber variety Hana F1 in two different media for two season

in green house


Wood straw 124 110 117

Date palm straw 124 109 17

Means 124 110

LSD for media (p= 0.05) =NS; LSD for years (p=0.05) =5.2; LSD for A*B (at p= 0.05) = 7.4

Yield varied from 3.6 t/ gh to 5.1 t/gh for Wood straw and Date palm straw respectively without significant

differences among the media (for two seasons).

Table 3. Yield t/gh of cucumber variety Hana F1 in two different media for two season in green house


Wood straw 5.1 3.6 4.4

Date palm straw 4.5 3.6 4.1

Means 4.8 3.6

LSD for media (p=0.05) =0.21; LSD for years (p= 0.05) =0.11; LSD for A*B (p= 0.05) =0.25

Park et al (2004) reported that there was no significant effect of substrate on plant dry weight, cucumber

number and average fruit weight. Hence, the authors concluded that average growth media could be

successfully used for hydroponics cucumber production. Sawan et al.(1999) indicated that saw dust could be

used as a substrate as medium for cucumber seedling production. Hardgrave and Harriman (1994) reported

that hortibre was the most successful substrate to give the best fruit production. In the present study, the yield

of cucumber was significantly higher in 2008 (4.8 t/gh) than in 2009 (3.6 t/gh). Interactions between the years

and media were also significant. Wood straw produced significantly higher yield (4.4 t/ gh) than Date palm

straw (4.1 t/gh).

REFERENCES

Hardgrave, M. and Harriman, M. (1992).Development of Organic Substrates for Hydroponics cucumber

Production. : International Symposium on Growing Media & Plant Nutrition in Horticulture Acta

Horticulturae 401.

Jensen, M.H. and Collin, W.L. (1985).Hydroponics vegetable production. Hort. Rev., pp: 483-58.

Papadopoulos, A.P. (1994). Growing Greenhouse Cucumbers in Soil and in Soil less Media. Research Station,

Harrow, Canada. Publication 1902/E. Communications Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Ottawa, ON K1A 0C7.

Parks, S., Newman, S. and Golding, J. (2004).Substrate effects on greenhouse cucumber growth and fruit

quality in Australia. Acta Horticulturae, (No. 648) 129-133.

Tzel, Y., Eltez, R.Z., Tzel, I.H., Akat, O. and Gl, A. (2002). Comparison of open and closed systems on

yield and quality of greenhouse grown tomatoes. Acta Hort. 579:585-590.



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EVALUATION OF TOMATO UNDER SOIL-LESS GROWING TECHNIQUE

(OPEN SYSTEM) USING SAND AS MEDIA IN COOLED GREENHOUSE

Abstract

Three tomato varieties namely Majestic F1, Salam F1 and Sancak F1 were evaluated using sand as media in soilless growing

technique for their yield performance during two consecutive seasons- 2007/08 and 2008/09 in two planting dates (October

March) and (January May) in cooled greenhouse (270 m2) at Rumais. The varieties were arranged in Randomized Complete

Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. No significant differences were observed in fruit number /m2for both years either in

October-March planting or January May planting. Yield varied from 2.2 t/gh to 3.6 t/gh for October March planting and from

1.9 t/gh to 2.4t/gh for January May planting as an average of two years. Variety Salam F1 produced highest yield in both the

years in two planting dates.

UdG

YGQdG f J gQK IOLh LfEG ad ( Sancak F1, Salam F1,Majestic F1 ) WdG e UCG KK SGQO Jh 2008/2007 SGe N edH YGQdG dG e a (He e 270) OdG dG dG a (dG dG) HJ hHha CG MJ d .GQe H FGdG edG YdG GSG J bh (jejj IhYh SQeHcCG IhY( 2009/2008W 3^62^2 H LfEG MhGJ . jejj IhY hCG SQeHcCG IhY a AGS d HdG dG / QdG OY a jeYCG .dG Qd Sch (jejj IhY a dG dG/W 2^41^9 Hh SQeHcCG IhY a dG dG /

.dG N GhdG c a LfEG YCG Salam F1dG

INTRODUCTION

Hydroponics is a technology for growing plant in nutrient solutions with or without the use of an artificial

medium (sand, gravel, vermiculite, rookwool, perlite, peat moss, coir or sawdust) to provide mechanical support

(Jensen and Collins, 1985). Hydroponics systems are classified as closed (i.e. nutrient solution is recovered,replenished and recycled) or open system (i.e. the nutrient solution supplied to the plant root, is not recycled).

Growing hydroponics vegetables is one of the most exacting and intense forms of all agricultural enterprises

and becoming increasingly popular. It is highly effective in conservation of water, and land and protection of

the environment. Tomato is a major vegetable crop that has achieved tremendous popularity over the last

century. It is grown in practically every country in the world, in greenhouses, net houses and open field (Taylor,

1986; Papadopoulos, 1991). Hydroponics is common in the world for production of tomato (Maloupa and

Gerasopoulos, 2001). It is a valuable means of growing fresh vegetables. It is therefore necessary to optimize

the possibility of tomato production through water and sand culture. Jensen and Collins (1985) showed no

significant differences of tomato yield in greenhouse in pure sand and sand mixed in varying ratios with

vermiculite, rice hull, redwood bark, pine bark, perlite and peat moss. Sand culture has been successful for

vegetable culture in greenhouses and is considered a good means of providing plants with a uniform, well-

drained rooting medium.

Tomato is a most important vegetable crop in Oman. It accounts for 37% of the total vegetable production.

Protected Agriculture has become an important issue in the field of agriculture in the region. It gives high

productivity and good quality produce. Soil has a lot of associated problems in Oman due to continuous use

of same soil for growing vegetables, which has resulted in build up of soil born diseases and accumulated salts

especially in greenhouses. However, the cost of the media in hydroponics is high. It is important to find/use

local materials. Many es have been conducted under such systems using different medias for producing



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tomato as well as other vegetables cultivars- for example- in Arizona, USA study on comparing three media for

physical characteristics and tomato yield (Marle andRorabaugh, 1999), effect of growing media glasshouse

tomato yield and quality (Gul and Seygican, 1989). The aim of this study was to evaluate growth, yield and

quality of tomato under soil-less growing techniques using Sand as media.


The trial was carried out during two seasons 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 in cooled green houses (270 m2) under

soilless growing techniques (open system) in two planting dates. In October planting two varieties viz. Majestic

F1 and Salam F1 were tested while in January-May planting, three varieties viz. Majestic F1, Salam F1 and

Suncake F1.were tested. Sand culture was used as media filled in black plastic pots of 50 cm in diameter. The

EC of the sand was 0.6 dS/m and PH was 7.1 which was measured during first season and washed with water

during second season. Tthe varieties were arranged in a Randomized Complete Design (RCBD) with five

replications. Plot size was 7.5 m2 (5m x 1.5m). Spacing between rows was 1.5 m and within rows, 50 cm.The

crop was harvested once a week. The observations on fruit number and fruit weight were recorded at each

harvest. Three tomato samples of each variety were taken for measuring total soluble solids percentages. Finally

the data were statistically analyzed using MSTATC program.


October-March Planting:

Number of days from transplanting to first harvest was 70 days and picking period covered 108 days for all

varieties tested for both seasons. No significant differences were observed between the varieties in number of

fruits /m2for both seasons. Significant differences were observed in average fruit weight between the varieties.

The variety Salam F1 produced heaviest fruit weight as an average of two seasons (132.4 g). The variety Salam

F1 produced significantly highest yield of 3.6 t/gh equivalent to 131.7 t/ha as an average of two seasons as

compared to variety Majestic F1. No significant differences were found in TSS (Total Soluble Solids) percentage

between the two varieties tested and it varied from 3.8% for Majestic F1 and to 4.1% for Salam F1 (Table 1).

Table 1. Yield components and yield of tomato varieties grown in sand culture using soilless

growing techniques (Open system) during October-January season in Rumais

VarietyDays from planting

to first harvest

Picking

period

No. of

fruit /m2

Average.

fruit wt (g)

Yield

t/ha

Yield

t/ghTSS%

Majestic F1 70 108 96.9 86.1 82.4 2.2 3.8

Salam F1 70 108 101.3 132.4 131.7 3.6 4.1

LSD at 0.05 NS NS 26.4 24.4 0.7

January May Planting:

Days from transplanting to first harvest was 67 days and picking period continued for 62 days. No significant

differences were obtained in fruit number /m2between the varieties on average of two seasons. Fruit number

varied between 81 and 87 /m2among the varieties and the variety Majestic F1 gave more fruits (87). Significant

(p


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Table 2. Yield components and yield of tomato varieties grown in sand culture using soilless

growing techniques (Open system) during January- May season in Rumais

VarietyDays from planting

to first harvest

Picking

period

No. of fruit

/m2

Average

fruit wt (g)

Yield

t/gh

Yield

t/haMajestic F1 67 62 87 79.3 1.9 68.6

Salam F1 67 62 86 101.1 2.4 87.3

Suncake F1 67 62 81 89.1 1.9 71.3

LSD (p=0.05) NS NS 1.2 13.9 0.3 12.2

* NS- Non-significant

In general it was found from the both planting seasons (October- March and January- May) that tomato

performance was well in sand culture. The varieties showed good performance vegetativelly, yield and fruit

quality (Table 2).

Conclusions:

In conclusion, sand can be an alternative media for vegetable crop production under soilless culture (open

system) as sand is readily and cheaply available. Variety Salam F1 was found superior in yield and could be

recommended for cultivation under hydroponics.

REFERENCES

Jensen, M.H. and Collin, W.L. (1985).Hydroponics vegetable production. Hort. Rev., pp: 483-58.

Jensen, M.H. and Rorabaugh, P.A. (1999).comparing three media for physical characteristic and tomato

yield.Plant Sciences Department, University of Arizona.

Jones, J.B. (1998). Tomato plant culture in field greenhouse and home garden. Catalog number,2025

ISBN:0849320259,USA.

Maloupa, E. and Gerasopoulos, D. (2001).International symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics.82.

International symposium on Growing media and hydroponics. Kassandra, Macedonia, Greece.

Papadopoulos, A.P. (1994).Growing Greenhouse Cucumbers in Soil and in Soil less Media. Research Station,

Harrow, Canada. Publication 1902/E. Communications Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Ottawa, ON K1A 0C7.

Taylor, I.B. (1986).Biosystematics of the tomato, pp. 1-34. In: J.G. Atherton and J. Rudich (Eds). The tomato

Crop: A Scientific Basis for Improvement. Chapman and Rudich, New York



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EVALUATION OF SWEET PEPPER IN AL-KAMIL

Abstract

Three varieties of sweet pepper namely Herculus F1, Polaris F1, and Majester F1 were evaluated for their yield and quality undercooled greenhouse (270 m2) for three seasons 2005, 2006, and 2007 at AL-Kamil Research Station (Al Sharqia Region). Randomize

Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with four replications. Significant (p< 0.05) differences were observed between the years

in fruit number and yield. High yield was given by Majester F1 (2.1 t /gh). Average fruit weight (g) varied from 145 to 149 between

years and from 153 to 173 between varieties, with significant differences.

UdG

hX J gQK IOLh LfEG ad (Majester F1 ,Polaris F1 ,Herculus F1) dG dG e UCG KK SGQO Jbh 7002 , 6002 , 5002 SGe KK N (bdG dG) edH YGQdG dG H (He e 072) OdG dG dGdG YCG LfEGh UCd GdG H je ha OLh Md .GQe HQCH FGdG edG YdG GSG J

Gd GL371- GL351 h GL941- GL541 H hGJ dG IdG Rh Seh (dG/ W 1,

2) LfG YCG (Majester F1).je aNG OLh e dGdG Y UCGh

INTRODUCTION

Protected Agriculture has become an important issue in the field of agricultural in the region. It offers high

productivity and quality produce. Having diversity of crops in greenhouse production is very important

nowadays. This is due to demand by the farmers for growing specific crops like cucumber, pepper, tomato etc.

in their off-season. Sweet pepper has become an important salad food for many people in Oman due to its rich

nutritional value. Hence, experiment was conducted to evaluate sweet pepper varieties under cooled

greenhouse conditions in Sharqia region.


Sweet pepper varieties namely, Heracles F1, Polaris F1 and Majester F1 were evaluated for their yield under

greenhouse (270 m2) for three seasons 2005, 2006 and 2007 at Al-Kamil Research Farm in Sharqia. The varieties

were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Spacing between the

irrigation lines was 1.5 m and within the rows was 50 cm (plant to plant spacing). Fertilization and protection

was followed as per Ministry recommendations. The harvest of the fruits was started after 90 days from

transplanting. Fruit number and fruit weight were recorded. Finally, the data collected were subjected to

statistically analysis using Mstat-C program.



Significant differences were observed in fruit number / m2between the years and varieties. Fruit number varied

from 13.0 to 81-38 between three seasons. Significantly highest number of fruits were produced by the third

season (2008) followed by 2007. With regard to the varieties, number of fruits ranged between 38.0 and 48.4

and the variety majester F1 gave highest number of fruits (48.4)(Table 1).



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Table 1. Number of fruits /m2of sweet pepper varieties for three seasons in Al-Kamil

Variety Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Mean

Hercules F1 14.4 31.7 75.9 40.7

Polaris F1 10.4 27.9 75.7 38.0

Majester F1 14.3 37.1 93.7 48.4

Mean 13.0 32.3 81.8

LSD at 0.05 for years =5.1; LSD at 0.05 for varieties =5.6

Average fruit weight varied from 145 to 194 g between the years and from 153 to 173 g between the varieties,

with significant differences between them. Among the varieties, heaviest fruit was given by the variety Majester

F1 (224 g) in 2007 as compared to that in other years (Table 2).

Table 2. Average fruit weight (g) of sweet pepper varieties for three seasons in Al-Kamil


Hercules F1 145.5 167.1 146.3 152.9

Polaris F1 171.7 189.1 156.5 172.5

Majester F1 160.7 224.9 132.2 172.6

Mean 159.3 193.7 145.0

LSD at 0.05 for years =12.7; LSD at 0.05 for varieties =10.8

Significant differences were observed in yield between years and varieties. 2008 was the best in yield which

was 3.2 t/Gh. The variety Majester F1 produced significantly highest yield (2.1 t/Gh) as compared to other two

varieties (Table 3).

Table 3. Yield t/Gh of sweet pepper varieties for three seasons in Al-Kamil


Hercules F1 0.6 1.4 3.0 1.7

Polaris F1 0.5 1.4 3.2 1.4

Majester F1 0.6 2.3 3.3 2.1

Mean 0.6 1.70 3.2LSD at 0.05 for years =0.3; LSD at 0.05 for varieties =0.2

Conclusion:

In general variety Majester F1 gave the best result in all production tests in all the seasons with the productivity

of 2.1 t/Gh.



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ABSTRACTS OF ON-GOING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

EVALUATION OF TOMATO UNDER SOIL-LESS GROWING TECHNIQUE(OPEN SYSTEM) USING SAND AS MEDIA

IN COOLED GREENHOUSE

Three varieties namely, Majestic F1, Salam F1 and Suncake F1 were evaluated under soilless growing techniques

using sand as media for their growth and yield performance under green hall conditions at Al-Kamil Research

Station during 2008/2009 season. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with three replications

No significant differences were observed in fruit number, average fruit weight (g) and yield between the

varieties. Yield ranged between 3.3 and 3.5 t/gh which was equivalent to 11.9 -12.8 kg/m2(number of plants /

m2was 2 plants). Total soluble solids varied from 4.4 to 4.7% among the varieties.

EVALUATION OF TOMATO IN DIFFERENT CULTURE MEDIA USING

SOILLESS GROWING TECHNIQUES (OPEN SYSTEM) UNDER COOLED

GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

Three tomato varieties namely Majestic F1, Salam F1 and Suncak F1 were evaluated in two culture media

namely Wood Straw and Date Palm straw for their growth, yield and quality performance using soilless growing

techniques (Open System) under cooled greenhouse(270 m2) conditions during January-May 2009 season at

AL Kamil Research Station. The treatments (varieties and media) were arranged in Randomized Complete Block

Design (RCBD) with four replications. Significant (p


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planting dates (Sep- Dec and Dec March). Yield varied from 2.2 to 2.3 t/ gh for the first planting date (Sep

Dec) which was equivalent to 6.3 - 6.6 kg/m2(number of plants /m2was 2 plants) and from 3.8 to 4.3 t/gh for

the second planting date (Dec- March) which was equivalent to 10.8 -12.3 kg/m 2(number of plants /m2was

2 plants). Wood straw was superior in yield with 2.3 to 4.3 t /gh for both planting dates.

EVALUATION OF CUCUMBER IN DIFFERENT CULTURE MEDIA USING

SOILLESS GROWING TECHNIQUES (OPEN SYSTEM) UNDER

NON COOLED GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

Three media namely Wood straw, Date palm straw and Sand were used to evaluate cucumber variety namely;

Luna F1 for its growth and yield performance using soilless growing technique (Open system) under non-

cooled greenhall condition during 2008/2009 season at Sohar. The media were arranged in Randomized

Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications. Significant (p


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SCREENING OF TOMATO VARIETIES UNDER WHITE SHADE NET

CONDITIONS IN SALALAH

Screening of two tomato varieties namely Majestic F1 and Salam F1 was undertaken for their yield and qualityperformance under white shade net condition during 2009 from 11 January 2008 to 11 May 2009 at Salalah

Research Station. The varieties were arranged in a non replicated plots. Highest yield was given by Salam F1 (5

t/1000m2).

RESPONSE OF MUSKMELON TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND

POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION IN SALALAH

The soil of Oman is generally poor in organic and inorganic colloids because of its texture and poor structure.

This leads to leaching of nutrients due to high permeability. Fertilization is essential in such soils and the

traditional practice is based on the farmers choice only that might lead to excess addition and leaching of

nutrients to the ground water and cause especially nitrate pollution. Proper scientific fertilizer program is

essential under such condition as no such activity was attempted for most of vegetable crops earlier in Salalah.

Variety Joyce F1 of Muskmelon was subjected to four levels of urea as source of nitrogen 0.0,200,300 and 400

kg/ha and three levels of potassium sulfate as source of potassium 0.0,300 and 400 kg/ha to study its response

to nitrogen and potassium fertilizers at Salalah Research Station during 2008/2009 season. Randomized

Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with three replications. No significant differences were observed in

fruit number between potassium and nitrogen rates. Number of fruits varied from 1.9/ m 2 to 2.1/ m2 for

potassium and nitrogen rates respectively. The fruit yield varied from 27.0 to 31.0 t/ha for potassium rates and

27.6 to 30.9 t/ha for nitrogen rates without significant differences between them. Combination of potassium

and nitrogen i.e. K0N3 (37.4t/ha) produced highest yield. No significant differences were observed in totalsoluble solids (TSS) between the treatments. TSS varied from 6.5 to 7.2% for potassium rates and 6.4 to 7.0% for

nitrogen rates.


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