Effect of Chemical Fertilizers and Nitroxin on Growth, Yeild and Quality of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Ahlam) Fruit Under Deficit Irrigation Condition

The use of bio-fertilizers plays a key role in production of organic crops. In order to evaluate the effect of biological and chemical fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Ahlam) fruit under drought stress condition, the experiment was performed with the use of factorial split in block completely randomized design in three replicates. In this study treatments included drought stress, bio and chemical fertilizers. Drought stress was applied in three levels: 100, 75 and 50% of field capacity; (FC) the fertilizers (NPK) were applied in four levels (0, 60, 120 and 180 Kg h-1), Nitroxin was used in two levels of control (no consumption) and 100% application. The results revealed that the presence of the drought stress and fertilizer type had a significant effect on the yield components and quality of muskmelon fruit. Fruit firmness, TSS and vitamin c content showed the direct relation with the reduction of plant water requirement. On the other hand, the total phenol content was increased with the consumption of nitroxin and 60 kg/h chemical fertilizer. Additionally, application of nitroxin with the 180 kg/h chemical fertilizer showed the highest a*and b* color values in pulp and peel of fruit under 50% of F.C. In general, biofertilizers can be replaced with chemical ones, alleviated drought stress damages and improved fruit quality.