Scientific Reports (Oct 2021)

Formalin fumigation and steaming of various composts differentially influence the nutrient release, growth and yield of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)

  • Ghulam Mustafa,
  • Muhammad Arif Ali,
  • Donald L. Smith,
  • Sajid Masood,
  • Muhammad Farooq Qayyum,
  • Niaz Ahmed,
  • Ateeq ur Rehman,
  • Shakeel Ahmad,
  • Sajjad Hussain,
  • Muhammad Arshad,
  • Summia Muneer,
  • Aqib Hassan Ali Khan,
  • Shah Fahad,
  • Rahul Datta,
  • Mazhar Iqbal,
  • Timothy D. Schwinghamer

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99692-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Nutrient disorder and presence of disease-causing agents in soilless media negatively influence the growth of muskmelon. To combat these issues, use of environmentally-friendly sanitation techniques is crucial for increased crop productivity. The study was conducted under greenhouse and field conditions to investigate the effect of two different sanitation techniques: steaming and formalin fumigation on various media’s characteristics and their impact on muskmelon yield. Media: jantar, guar, wheat straw and rice hull and peat moss of 10% air-filled porosity and sanitized with formalin and steaming. Steaming of guar, jantar, and wheat straw increased the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations by 13.80–14.86% and 6.22–8.45% over formalin fumigation. Likewise, P and K concentrations in muskmelon were higher under steaming. Steaming significantly inhibited the survival of Fusarium wilt sp. melonis, root knot nematode sp. meloidogyne and nitrifying bacteria in media than formalin fumigation. In conclusion, steaming decreased the prevalence of nitrifying bacteria and pathogens which thus improved the NO3 −–N:NH4 +–N ratios, P and K nutritional balance both in the media and muskmelon transplants. Hence, steaming as an environment-friendly approach is recommended for soilless media. Further, optimization of steaming for various composts with different crops needs to be investigated with steaming teachnique.