Effects of bacteria and arbuscular mycorhizae inoculation at different electrical conductivity level on growth and yield of rockmelon (Cucumis melo) under soilless culture

摘要

Interaction between bacteria and arbuscular mycorhizae has been known to benefit growth of plants in over the world. An investigation was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield of rockmelon plant (Cucumis melo) as influenced by Burkholderia cepacia and Glomus mossae in a soilless culture (70% coconut dust+30% empty fruit bunch compost). Four treatments, control (un- inoculated), B. cepacia, G. mossae and mixtures of B. cepacia and G. mossae (B. cepacia+G. mossae), and three electrical conductivity levels of fertilizer (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 dS/m), were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with eight replicates. Leaf area meter and photosynthesis rate were the highest in G. mossae and mixture of B. cepacia and G. mossae with 7973 cm2 and 14.66 μmol/m2/s, respectively. The sweetness of the fruit in all the treatments in between 11-12% Brix to the control indicating that enough sugar content was accepted for market demand. Results showed that EC with 2.0 dS/m was the optimum for growth and yield of rockmelon. Interestingly, pH was increased by 0.5, 1.37 and 0.34% at 30 DAT and 0.17, 1.72 and 1.72% at 70 DAT in B. cepacia, G. mossae and B. cepacia+G. mossae compared than control, respectively. Individual fruit weights were increased by 22, 22 and 18% in B. cepacia, G. mossae and B. cepacia+G. mossae from the control, respectively. The result in this study suggests that addition of G. mossae and B. cepacia either separately or combination in soilless culture enhances the growth and yield by 18 to 22% of rockmelon plant. Our findings highlight the importance of G. mossae as bio-enhancer for growth and yield of rockmelon under soilless culture. Glomus mossae and B. cepacia will undergo field tests for their effect on rockmelon growth and yield.