EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT GROWING MEDIA AND PRUNING METHODS ON GREENHOUSE MUSKMELON PRODUCTION

The growing media tested were (a) fine pumice (0–3 mm diameter), (b) 2:1 (v/v) fine pumice-peat, (c) coarse pumice (3–5 mm diameter) and (d) 2:1 (v/v) coarse pumice-peat.
The plants were prunned as (a) flowers and secondary branches were removed up to 30 cm and later secondary branches were stopped after three leaves and (b) young plants were stopped after the second leaf and the strongest branch was left as main stem.

Yield (kg-m^-2), fruit number m^-2, average fruit weight (g) and fruit quality parameters (size, skin firmness, fruit weight without seed, pericarp thickness, titratable aciditiy, pH, total soluble solids, total dry matter content) were determined.