Density of population and pruning type in greenhouse-cultivated Cantaloupe melon: economic assessment

Abstract

To estimate the profitability of various combinations of planting topological arrangement and pruning type in Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.) grown in a greenhouse—through partial utility analysis—densities of 1.9, 3.2, and 3.9 plants/m2 were evaluated, along with pruning types: pruning of the main stem (TP) and management of one secondary stem (TS); pruning of TP and management of two TS; and no pruning.

The cultivation was planted in plastic bags filled with coconut fiber. The average fruit weight (g), total soluble solids percentage (°Brix), and marketable yield (kg/m2) were evaluated. Additionally, labor, seed, and fertilization costs were calculated, along with income based on yield and selling price under two scenarios (real and estimated).

The highest marketable yield was obtained with the treatment of 3.9 plants/m2 and no pruning (2.65 kg/m2); a value higher than that found in the other six treatments but statistically equal to that obtained by 3.9 plants/m2 and pruning at 2 TS (1.93 kg/m2) and by 3.2 plants/m2 and no pruning (1.92 kg/m2). In the real scenario (selling price of 412 colones/kg), no treatment was profitable as partial utility was negative. In the estimated scenario (selling price of 715 colones/kg), the treatment with the highest profitability was 3.9 plants/m2 and no pruning, with a partial utility of 7,308,730 colones/ha, followed by the treatment of 3.2 plants/m2 and no pruning, with a partial utility of 4,178,240 colones/ha.