The effect of poultry manure and zinc sulfate on growth and yield of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) in competition with weeds

In order to investigate the effect of poultry manure and zinc sulfate on growth and yield of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) in competition with weeds, an experiment was conducted in a field located in Mobarakeh city as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during the growing season of 2018-2019. The factors included poultry manure (0 and 8 ton/ha), zinc sulfate (0, 2 and 4 g/l) and weed management (no-weeding and weeding all season). The results indicated that foliar application of zinc sulfate by 4 g/l under weeding conditions, caused a significant increasing in leaf chlorophyll, dry weight of leaf and yield by 9.1, 16.9 and 18.9 percent in comparison to control (non-use of zinc sulfate) respectively. The maximum dry weight of stem (24.6 g), total soluble solid (12.0 %) and relative water content (65.5 %) was obtained with 4 g/l zinc sulfate in combination with poultry manure. The results showed that under no-weeding conditions, use of poultry manure caused a significant decreasing in leaf chlorophyll, leaf number per plant, fruit number per plant and yield by 4.5, 6.4, 20.0 and 4.8 percent and increased weeds biomass by 15.0 % compared with non-use of poultry manure. Based on the obtained results, under weed free conditions, combined use of poultry manure and zinc sulfate caused a significant increasing in growth and yield of cantaloupe.