Formulation and field evaluation of nutrient stick in oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo L.)

The study was conducted with the objectives to prepare and formulate a multi nutrient stick and to evaluate and compare its effect on oriental pickling melon with fertigation. The investigation was carried out in two parts: formulation of nutrient stick and field experiment using oriental pickling melon. The trials were conducted at College of Agriculture, Padannakkad and Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pilicode during 2016-18. The nutrient stick was formulated as per the nutrient requirement of oriental pickling melon. The nutrient release studies conducted using nutrient stick proved it to be suitable for soil application. A field experiment was carried out in randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. The treatment combination with foliar silicon spray was found to be highly effective to the crop in terms of quality and yield parameters. The residual available soil nutrients especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were higher in treatments with fertigation as compared to fertilizer application in the form of nutrient stick, which indicated better efficiency of nutrient sticks. These results clearly indicated the suitability of fertilizer application in the form of nutrient stick along with drip irrigation.