Effects of Manure Composts and Their Combination with Inorganic Fertilizer on Acid Soil Properties and the Growth of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

The influences of manure composts and their combination with inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and growth of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) were investigated in a pot experiment in a nethouse during the autumn-winter season of 2013. The experimental design included 11 treatments and 1 control, and was based on similar amounts of total nitrogen in equivalent treatments. The treatments were application rates for a pot of 400, 800, and 1200 g of cattle manure compost (2.1% total N); 336, 672, and 1008 g of poultry manure compost (2.5% total N); 70 g of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Postassium) (12-18-12) fertilizer; and a combination of both composts with 70 g of NPK fertilizer. The soil chemical properties determined at three stages (before planting, flowering, and after harvesting) included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter content (OMC), mineral-N of soil, and morphological and fruit parameters of muskmelon. The results showed that the application of manure composts improved pH, EC, OMC, and mineral-N of the soil at all sampling periods resulting in increasing the productivity of muskmelon. At equivalent application rates, poultry manure compost resulted in more efficient muskmelon growth compared to cattle manure compost. Moreover, combined treatments of NPK fertilizer and organic fertilizer obtained greater muskmelon biomass compared to simple compost treatments. The treatment of 70 g of NPK fertilizer + 672 g of poultry manure compost gave the best condition for muskmelon performance by improving soil chemical properties.