Effetti della dose di azoto su produzione e qualità di melone invernale

Effects of Increasing Doses of Nitrogen Fertilization on Winter Melon Production in the Western Coast of Sicily

The winter melon is largely grown in the open field in the Mediterranean island of Sicily on about 6000 hectares. Nitrogen fertilization is a key aspect of a winter melon cultural system as it can dramatically improve fruit production and play a crucial role on fruit quality attributes such as fruit size, colour and uniformity. An experiment was performed to determine the influence of increasing doses of nitrogen fertilization on fruit yield and quality of winter melon. The trial was conducted in the north-western coast of Sicily near Buseto Palizzolo in the province of Trapani, 250-m elevation. Plug type transplants cv. Helios were planted in the first week of May. A transparent polyethyle…

Conservazione della biodiversità e tecniche agronomiche per un'orticoltura sostenibile.

Effetti del portinnesto sulla produttività della mini anguria

Effetti del portinnesto sulla produttività e sulla qualità dell'anguria.

The research aims to investigate the effects of different rootstocks on productive and qualitative aspects of two watermelon cultivars: Dumara, that produces big fruits and Minirossa that produces smaller fruits. For each cultivar, a randomized complete-block design was used with 3 replications to compare the following six grafting combinations: grafted plants into five rootstocks (Elsi, RS 841, Shintosa, Lagenaria corta, Anguria selvatica) and ungrafted plants. The highest yield of both cultivars was obtained with RS 841 while the lowest was observed with not grafted plants and grafted on elsi. However, using Elsi as rootstock, the plants gave fruits of greatest size. the best quality para…

Polyethylene and Biodegradable Starch-Based Mulching Films Affect Winter Melon Production in a Mediterranean Area

Polyethylene and Biodegradable Starch-Based Mulching Films Positively Affect Winter Melon Production in Sicily

Plastic mulching is widely used in many regions of the world for growing melons. The winter melon is largely grown in the hilly countryside of the Mediterranean island of Sicily (Italy) where mulching plastic films enhance early and total yields. However, removing and disposal of polyethylene plastic mulches after use represent a major disadvantage and an environmental concern. The objective of this trial was to compare the effects of polyethylene (PE) (transparent and black) and biodegradable (black) mulching films on yield, fruit size and quality of melon grown in the open field. The trial was conducted in the north-western coast of Sicily in the province of Trapani, 250-m elevation. Melo…