Prospects for the Use of Hydrogel in the Cultivation of Melon

Abstract

The application of Aquasource hydrogel (Ecotechnology LLC) was studied at the Scientific Center of Vegetable and Industrial Crops (MoE RA) for three years (2020–2022). An objective has been set up to study the effect of local application of various amounts of the biodegradable Aquasource polymer to the soil on the growth, productivity, and quality of fruits and seedlings of melon plants (Cucumis melo L). Hydrogel in the ratio: Soil mix +Aaquasource (3:0.1), Soil mix+Aquasource (3:0.15), Soil mix +Aquasource (3:0.2) compared with the control (Soil mix without Aquasource) had a positive effect on the early appearance of female flowers, reducing the terms of technical ripening and fruit quality. Additionally, the melon marketable yield indicator was higher than the control (230.9±2.73 c/ha), coming in at 287.5±2.94, 308.0±2.27 and 307.0±3.05 c/ha, respectively. The same trend was seen with seed yield: 360.7±2.87, 399.6±10.01, 392.1±9.20kg/ha, respectively, with control 287.2±8.05 kg/ha. The economic efficiency of employing Aquasource was determined to be between 120.4 and 128.6%, and profitability was between 67.6 and 69.0% (with control at 61.9%). This was accomplished by lowering the cost of water supply, labor, and the provision of higher output.