Spacing influences growth and productivity of less spreading and short duration oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. conomon Mak.) cv. ‘Saubhagya’

Abstract

To optimize the spacing and planting geometry requirements of short duration and less spreading oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. conomon Mak.) cv. ‘Saubhagya’, a field trial involving seven spacing treatments was undertaken at Mannuthy in the summer rice fallows for two consecutive seasons. The closest spacing of 1.0 x 0.30 m (trench method), accommodating 33,333 plants ha-1, yielded 28.4 t ha-1, which was 184% greater than the yield obtained for in the conventional pit planting method (2.0 x 1.5 m). Furthermore, average weight of fruits and productivity increased significantly when the trench-to-trench spacing was reduced from 2 to 1 m, implying a general favourable impact of closer trench/row spacing on the performance of less spreading oriental pickling melon cultivars, which are particularly suitable for the summer rice fallows of Kerala.