The Effects of Aerobic Bokashi in the Production of Sweet 16-F1 Watermelon (Citrullus lunatus)

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the effects of aerobic bokashi on the growth and yield of watermelon (Citrullus lunatus). Specifically, it was intended to determine the response of watermelon in terms of length of vine, girth of vine, days to flowering, weight of fruits, and yield per plot. The study also performed cost and return analysis. The study used a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The study used 12 experimental plots with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were the following; Treatment 1: 500 grams (g) of aerobic bokashi per hill, Treatment 2: 1000 grams, Treatment 3 - 1500 grams, and Treatment 4: control. The study was conducted off-season at Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), Mandaon, Masbate, Philippines, from January to March 2021. The result of the study on levels of aerobic bokashi has no significant effect on vine length, vine diameter, days to flower, fruit diameter, and weight of fruits. However, in terms of fruit length and yield, the aerobic bokashi gave significant results. The fruit length and yield per plot were significantly different among the other treatments. This implied that the different levels of boskashi applied will give a different response in terms of fruit length and yield. The most viable result of the cost and return analysis was treatment A. The use of aerobic bokashi in watermelon cost PhP 1,391.00, this investment gave a net income of PhP 1,651.00 and a 118.69 % return on investment.