Abstract:
Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) is a high-value crop cultivated under protected
conditions, where the growing medium plays an important role in plant growth, yield,
and fruit quality. This study evaluated palmyrah-based growing media as sustainable
alternatives for cantaloupe production under protected cultivation at the Regional
Agricultural Research and Development Centre (RARDC), Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka. The
experiment was conducted in a net-house using 14 × 14 inch grow bags and arranged
in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments and three
replications, comprising five plants per replication. Treatments were T1: Soil +
Compost + Partially Burnt Rice Husk (2:1:1, v/v), T2: Cocopeat + Partially Burnt Rice
Husk (3:1, v/v), T3: Cocopeat + Palmyrah Dry Flowers + Partially Burnt Rice Husk
(2:2:1, v/v), and T4: Palmyrah Dry Flowers + Partially Burnt Rice Husk (3:1, v/v).
Growth, reproductive, yield, fruit quality, and media chemical properties were
evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and means were separated using the LSD
test at the 5% significance level. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were observed for
media chemical properties, fruit weight, and total soluble solids (TSS). Palmyrah-based
media maintained favourable pH (6.07–6.10), moderate electrical conductivity (0.565–
0.673 dS m⁻¹), and higher nitrogen content (1.06–1.18%) than the conventional
medium. The highest fruit weight (712 g) and TSS (13.88 °Brix) were recorded in T4,
while the lowest values were observed in T1 (573 g and 11.78 °Brix, respectively).
Plant height, stem girth, and leaf area index were not significantly affected by the
treatments. These findings indicate that T4 has strong potential as a low-cost and
sustainable growing medium for protected cantaloupe cultivation, although further
validation under different environmental conditions and production systems is
recommended before large-scale adoption.
