19th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
An Initial Attempt to Develop a Cataloupe Production System for Northeast Missouri
Steven J. Webb*, Jennifer S. Glass, and Jennifer M. Lane
Dr. Charlie Apter and Dr. Dean DeCock, Faculty Mentors
Greenhouse cantaloupe production could be economically feasible for northeast Missouri. This experiment attempted to develop a cantaloupe production system for northeast Missouri. Four varieties of commercial greenhouse cantaloupe (Arava, Athena, Passport, Sweet Granite) were planted in a repeated Latin Square in an on-farm greenhouse. Cucurbits are monoecious (one plant with separate male and female flowers), and thus mechanical pollen transfer was utilized; a pollination aid (1% benzyladenine-lanolin paste) was used. Number of fruit set, total fruit weight per vine, and first fruit-bearing node were determined. Across varieties, mean yield of 1.5-2.2 fruit per plant and an average fruit set of 7.5-15.0% was obtained. Number of fruit set, total vine fruit weight and first fruit-bearing node did not differ between variety; the attempted number of pollinations was significantly fewer for Arava than for the other three varieties (p=.033). Further research is needed to fine-tune greenhouse cantaloupe production adapted to northeast Missouri.
Keywords: Greenhouse, Cantaloupe, Melon, Horticulture
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 54-1
Location: VH 1412
Time: 2:45