Growth Response and Production of Meloon Plant (Cucumis melo L.) Through The Fertilization of Cow State and Rice Straw Organic Mulch

Abstract

This study aims to determine the response of the growth and yield of melon plants with the application of cow manure and organic rice straw mulch. This research was conducted in February-April 2021 in Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi. The study was arranged based on a factorial design in a Randomized Block Design, consisting of two treatment factors. The first factor is the application of various doses of cow manure (P), namely: without cow manure (P0), 5 tons ha-1 cow manure (P1), 10 tons ha-1 cow manure (P2), and the second factor is giving rice straw mulch (M), namely: without rice straw mulch (M0), 5 tons ha-1 rice straw mulch (M1), 10 tons ha-1 rice straw mulch (M2). This experiment consisted of 9 treatment combinations, each treatment consisted of 3 times, so there were 27 experimental units. The results showed that the use of cow manure and organic rice straw mulch had a significant effect on plant length, plant leaf area, and plant fruit weight. This is thought to be caused by the use of cow manure and organic rice straw mulch to increase the growth and production of melon plants. 1 rice straw mulch.

Keywords: Melon, Rice Straw Organic Mulch, Cow Manure.