Effect of growing medium on growth and quality of melon seedlings (Cucumis melo)

This study aims to evaluate the influence of various media on the growth and quality of melon seedlings. The research was carried out at the Teaching Farm, Agriculture Faculty, Hasanuddin University, from August to September 2023. The experimental methodology compared seven types of growth medium: including soil; rice husk biochar; compost; a mix of soil and rice husk biochar; a mix of soil and compost; a mix of compost and rice husk biochar; and a mix of soil, compost, and rice husk biochar. A randomized complete block design was employed for the allocation of treatments, comprising three replicates. The parameters measured in this study were plant height (cm), the number of leaves, leaf area (cm²), shoot weight (leaf and stem) (g), stem diameter (above 1 cm from surface of medium) (mm), root length (cm), number of root tips, root volume (cm³), root weight (g), shoot to root ratio, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, and seedling quality index. The type of growing medium had a significant influence on the growth and quality of melon plant seeds. Soil+rice husk biochar medium had the best effect on seedling height (16.5 cm), root length (31.5 cm), and fresh shoot weight (9.50 g). Compost+rice husk biochar had the best effect on total leaf area (235.2 cm²), root volume (8.17 cm³), and fresh biomass (14.01 g). Compost had the best effect on fresh root weight (4.95 g), dry biomass (1.24 g), and seedling quality index (0.277). Rice husk biochar medium led to the lowest shoot to root ratio (1.59). The reported findings showed that compost medium can produce the best quality melon seeds compared to other growing media.