Browsing by Author "Kuvare, Uparura S. K. (Uparuru Silvanus Karl)"
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- ItemGreenhouse production of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-03) Kuvare, Uparura S. K. (Uparuru Silvanus Karl); Combrink, N. J. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Horticulture.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Various researchers have determined that salinity causes several kinds of damage to plants such as germination inhibition, metabolic disturbances, yield reduction and quality losses. However, the severity of salt damage has been found to be dependent on the cultivar, level of salinity, period of exposure to salinity, and the growth stage of the plant. An understanding of the severity of salinity and its potential negative impacts on crops is essential to optimise production. Knowledge of seed vigour, expressed as germination percentage and germination rate at the optimum temperature for germination, would provide growers with valuable information to measure and compare the viability of seed lots. A study was done where fresh and aged seeds of two watermelon cultivars were investigated in germination tests under laboratory conditions at four salinity levels and five temperature regimes. The best germination was achieved at 4 mS cm-1 for both cultivars, Odem and Paladin. At 8 mS cm-I, the germination percentage for Paladin was 31% better than for Odem. The germination time for aged Odem seeds was significantly delayed at this EC 8 level but ageing of Paladin seeds had no detrimental effect at this EC level. Paladin germinated significantly better than Odem at the relatively low temperature range of I5-20°C, indicating that it is well-adapted for early planting. A new plant growing system, using vertical training of two shoots was tested in a greenhouse, aiming to optimise the growth regulating capabilities of this crop environment. Traditional watermelons are open-field planted in rows at low densities. Even with this plant spacing, by harvesting time the vines are spread in such a way that the foliage laterally covers the inter-row spacing, making cultivation practices such as spraying, weeding and harvesting difficult and almost impossible. The production of greenhouse crops is advantageous, but involves a number of cultural inputs and techniques for optimum yields. The effects of plant pruning systems and salinity levels on watermelon cultivars (Odem and Paladin) in a low-cost greenhouse were studied using a drain-to-waste fertigation system. Changing the nutrient solution from a low salinity level (EC 4 mS cm1) during vegetative growth to EC 4 mS cm-I after pollination, did not reduce fruit mass, but significantly increased the sugar yield of Odem, the icebox-type cultivar. Excessive pruning (less leaves per shoot) was more efficient with low salinity levels than at a high salinity level. Moderate pruning (more leaves per shoot) represented a good system, producing fruits of lesser weight and acceptable quality.