Melon growth as influenced by different kinds of phosphate manure and a chelating agent in a coral sand medium, and iron coating of a coral sand medium
2004
Shimodaira, M. (Takano Co. Ltd., Miyada, Nagano (Japan)) | Karibe, M. | Kurita, M. | Nakabayashi, K.
Summary A coral sand medium for hydroponics using natural fossilized coral, has difficulty maintaining the pH of the culture medium as phosphate and iron becomes insoluble and is not easily absorbed by plants. In order to solve this problem, we are trying to coat the coral and mix it with silica. In this research, we aim to improve the growth of melons by mixing slow releasing phosphate GUANO fertilizer with dissolved phosphate, and iron coating the coral sand using of biodegradable chelating agent (ASDA). Although the size of leaves became smaller, the amount of sugar content in the melons increased and the quality of the fruit improved with the application of GUANO. No difference in growth was noticed when ASDA was used in comparison to EDTA, which has been used as a chelating agent in the past, and the possibility of using ASDA with little environmental impact is suggested.
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