The optimum Ratio of Water Hyacinth in A Growing Media on Growth and Quality of Melon (Cucumis melo) cv. Galia

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is widely consumed as a fresh fruit and processed into various products, which are increasingly popular in general markets and supermarkets. This popularity is due to its high nutritional value, aromatic sweetness, and pleasant flavor. However, commercial melon production often has been limited because of high production costs, particularly due to the use of imported growing media. As a result, farmers with limited capital are reluctant to cultivate melons. If locally available materials could be utilized as growing media, it would be possible to reduce production costs significantly. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the optimal proportion of water hyacinth and to investigate the effects of using water hyacinth as a growing medium on growth and fruit quality of melon. The study was conducted using the melon cv. Galia and arranged under a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Melon cv. Galia seedlings were cultivated and their growth parameters were measured weekly for four weeks. Fruit quality was assessed after harvest. The growing media consisted of different proportions of water hyacinth at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by volume. Each treatment was replicated 10 plants per treatment. The results indicated that using 20% of water hyacinth in the growing medium resulted in the highest growth, with significantly larger leaf width and length compared to other treatments. Although there were no statistically significant differences among treatments in fruit weight, flesh thickness, total soluble solids, or titratable acidity, the treatments containing water hyacinth tended to produce fruits of higher quality compared to the control group without water hyacinth. Therefore, cultivating melon cv. Galia with a growing medium containing 20% of water hyacinth can be recommended to farmers. This practice not only enhances plant growth and fruit quality but also promotes the beneficial utilization of aquatic weeds.