Effects of farm manure, vermicompost and plant growth regulators on yield and fruit quality in watermelon

Abstract

This study was conducted in 2018, under open field conditions in Adiyaman Province of Turkey to determine the effects of farm manure, vermicompost and plant growth regulators on yield and some fruit quality parameter of watermelon. Matured farm manure, vermicompost and three different plant growth regulators (Crop-Set, Endoroots and ISR-2000) were used to compare with control (not fertilizers applied) application. Vermicompost, farm manure, Endoroots, ISR-2000 and Crop-Set were applied to the plants at 150 kg, 2 tons, 250 g, 60 cc and 90 cc da(-1) doses, respectively. The highest yield result was obtained from Endoroots application (11.630 tons da(-1)). Fruit weight varied between 2.93 (control) kg and 5.01 kg (vermicompost). Higher results were observed from vermicompost application for fruit weight, fruit width, fruit height, phenolic. Total Soluble Solids (TSS) was recorded statistically significant for Endoroots application. Applied plant growth regulators, farm manure and vermicompost fertilizers had significant effects on pomological and phenological characteristics of watermelon under semi-arid conditions. The highest results have been determined from Endoroots and vermicompost applications. As a result of this study, Endoroots (250 g da(-1)) and vermicompost (150 kg da(-1)) fertilizers can be concluded as a beneficial application for watermelon cultivation.