Effect of biocharand ameliorant on yield and quality of watermelon (Citrulluslanatus)

摘要

Application of biochar (BC) and biochar-based ameliorant (BCA) to agricultural soil has been proved to exert beneficial effects on soil fertility and crop yield. However, little information is available about their influence son fruit quality. We investigated the effect of BC or BCA on Water melon (Citrulluslanatus) growth and quality in a field experiment in Ningxia. BC application significantly decreased the fresh biomass of shoot by 45.7%. BCA dramatically decreased the fruit yield of watermelon by 20.7% compared with that of CK. Both of BC and BCA had no influence on the sweetness and rind thickness of watermelon. The lack of significant difference between biochar treatments and controls for toughness of peel and pulp was noted. These observations are useful for screening desired BC and BCA to produce positive effects on both of yield and quality of watermelon.