Study of Manure and Micronutrients Effects on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Cantaloupe (Cucumis Melo Var Semsouri) in a Calcareous soil

In a two-year field experiment, the effects of combined application of manure and trace elements of iron, zinc and boron on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of cantaloupe cultivar Semsouri in a calcareous soil was studied. Application of manure and trace elements increased yield, yield components and TSS (Total soluble solids). The highest cantaloupe yield(43.9 tons per hectare) and the highest average number of fruits per cantaloupe plant (4.45) were obtained from the application of 40 tons per hectare of manure and foliar application of iron, zinc and boron that increased 36 and 41% compared to the control treatment, respectively. Also, the percentage of TSS increased with the application of manure and foliar application of microelements, especially boron. The highest TSS (sugar) of cantaloupe was obtained at 9% from the application of 40 tons per hectare of manure and foliar application of iron, zinc and boron, which was 49% more than the control treatment. Data indicated that there was a significant correlation between the percentage of soluble solids in fruit and the concentration of cantaloupe leaf boron that the equation of this regression model followed the linear model.