Effect of Different Mulch Materials and Fruit Thinning on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Rock Melon

Abstract

Optimising mulch type and fruit load is essential for improving the productivity and fruit quality of rock melon (Cucumis melo L.). However, information on the combined effects of different mulch materials and fruit thinning levels under the agro-ecological conditions of Bangladesh is limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of different mulch materials and fruit thinning levels on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of rock melon. The experiment was conducted using a two-factor randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, comprising four mulch treatments (no mulch, black polythene, silver-black polythene, and rice straw) and three fruit-thinning levels (no thinning, one fruit per plant, and two fruits per plant). Data were analysed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means were separated using at the 5% probability level. Both mulch materials and fruit thinning significantly affected flowering, fruit yield, and quality traits. Silver-black polythene mulch promoted flowering and improved fruit quality, producing the highest average fruit weight (621.70 g), fruit yield (10.04 t ha⁻¹), total soluble solids (14.36 °Brix), and vitamin C content (33.39 mg 100 g⁻¹). Retaining two fruits per plant resulted in the highest fruit yield (11.16 t ha⁻¹) and improved fruit quality compared with the other thinning treatments. A significant interaction between mulch materials and fruit thinning was observed, with silver-black polythene mulch combined with two fruits per plant producing the highest fruit yield (13.90 t ha⁻¹), average fruit weight (695.00 g), total soluble solids (15.57 °Brix), and vitamin C content (36.61 mg 100 g⁻¹). These findings indicate that integrating silver-black polythene mulch with optimum fruit thinning may improve rock melon productivity and fruit quality under Bangladeshi conditions.