Hybrid Melon Seed Production on Substrate.

Hybrid melon seed production on substrate

Isabella Gazzo; Victor Vega; ICA Peru Team

Background/introduction:

Tomato seed production system in Ica, Peru is transitioning from ‘in-soil' to ‘substrate' production. There is an opportunity to reuse that substrate for melon seed production at zero extra cost.  A tomato substrate type and container trial is currently ongoing to find the best fit for tomato and a validation of those substrate types and containers is needed for melon to conclude if the same substrate can be reused for melon seed production after tomato.

 

Goals/objectives:

Determine optimum fertigation requirements, re-use of container system and type of substrate for melon seed production.

 

Justification:

There is an opportunity to reduce cost and inputs by changing melon production from ‘in-soil' to ‘substrate' and re-using the substrate for two crops.

 

Discussion:

The use of substrate culture for melon seed production can save 35-50% water per season.  Re-used substrates (tomato followed by melon) are a cheaper option than ‘in-soil' seed production.  Potential savings with peat moss reuse up to 20% of the total cost of production.  Reduced potential for disease infection was another advantage of substrate seed production over ‘in-soil' production.

Conclusions:

No consistent differences were found regarding melon seed yield and seed quality. This trial was performed to evaluate the possibility of reusing tomato substrate right after tomato harvest. We recommend an extra step of substrate disaggregation and washing prior to substrate reuse. Peat moss bags or sleeves were the best balanced option for seed yield, quality, water savings and seed production costs.