Biological Response of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) to Magnetic Field and Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Aims: This experiment was done to study the responses of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) to magnetic field and silver nanoparticles combinations in comparison with commercial fertilizers in field conditions. Study Design: Experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Place of Study: The present study was done at the Razavi Research and Technology Institute in Mashhad, Iran. Methodology: This experiment tested seven treatments based on a randomized complete block design in four replications. The treatments were as follows: AgM: Silver nanoparticles + magnetic field; HAgM: Humax commercial fertilizer + Silver nanoparticles + magnetic field; Humax: Humax commercial fertilizer; KAgM: Kemira commercial fertilizer + Silver nanoparticles + magnetic field; Kemira: Kemira commercial fertilizer; Librel: Librel commercial fertilizer, and Control. Results: Results indicated that treatments of silver nanoparticles with magnetic field (AgM) had the highest fruit yield (16.420 ton ha-1) followed by the Kemira fertilizer treatment (10.248 ton ha-1). Significantly, silver nanoparticles with magnetic field treatment (AgM) showed by 150% more fruit yield in comparison to the control. The highest fruit yield in second harvest was achieved in silver nanoparticles + magnetic field + Kemira commercial fertilizer (KAgM) and the lowest was found in the control and Librel treatments. Using AgM, KAgM and Librel treatments caused early ripening of fruit in muskmelon. AgM treatment indicated larger fruit size than control. Using silver nanoparticles + magnetic field (AgM) significantly increased content of fruit soluble solid (13.1%) related to control (9.8%) in first harvest. Conclusion: The treatment combining silver nanoparticles and magnetic field (AgM) most effectively improved early ripening of fruit, fruit and the quality of muskmelon fruit like soluble solid concentration compared to other treatments in firs harvest.