Effect of mineral nitrogen and biofertilizer on the productivity and quality of melon plants in South Ghor area, Jordan

Two field experiments were conducted at a farm in South Ghor area, Jordan, during the two consecutive summer seasons of 2008 and 2009 to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels, i.e., 0,100 and 200 kg/ha and biofertilizer nitrogen at the rate of 0 and 5.0 kg/ha on growth, productivity and quality of melon (Cucumis melo L) cv. Galia especially cultivated under sandy soil conditions and using drip irrigation system in south Ghor area. Results showed that , application of 200 kg/ha of nitrogen significantly increased plant growth i.e., plant length, both number of leaves and branches and leaf area as well as total dry weight for each plant. The uptake of N, P and K by shoots was also increased, early and total yield of fruits/ ha was higher than other levels of nitrogen treatments, while the highest values of TSS in fruits were recorded at 100 kg N/ha. On the other hand, melon plants treated with nitrogen biofertilizer at the rate of 5 kg/ha gave the best results for plant growth and yield and its components as well as fruit quality compared with untreated plants. The interaction between 200 kg/ha and treated plants by nitrogen biofertilizer at 5 kg/ha gave the highest values of total dry weight/ plant , leaf pigments , early and total yield / plant compared to other treatments.