Integrated Use of Biostimulants and Organic Fertilizers Enhances Biomass and Yield Traits in Melon: A Case Study from Adıyaman, Türkiye
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i9.2790-2801.8080Keywords:
Cucumis melo, biostimulants, organic fertilizer, biomass, sustainable melon productionAbstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various biostimulants, both alone and in combination with organic fertilizers, on biomass accumulation and yield components of Cucumis melo L. Galia C8 and Kırkağaç 637 under the ecological conditions of Adıyaman, Turkey. Plants were grown in 8-liter pots and uprooted on the 30th and 60th days after planting to assess various morphological and physiological parameters in 2011. For yield parameter, experiments were carried out in open field conditions in the spring growing years of 2011 and 2013.Treatments consisted of different biostimulants Bacillus subtilis (OSU 142), Bacillus megaterium (M3), Azospirillum spp. (SP245), Bioplin, Phosfert, EM1, Bio-one, Endoroots, Sim-derma, and Spirulina sp. applied either alone or in combination with organic fertilizers (OF) (Çamlıbesi Bioactive Compost, Liquid Organic Fertilizer, and K-Humate), along with conventional fertilization (DAP + urea) and an untreated control as reference treatments. The results demonstrated significant improvements in morphological parameters, vegetative growth, and biomass production with combined applications of biostimulants and organic fertilizers. Among all treatments, Spirulina + OG and Sim-derma + OG led to the most pronounced improvements in stem diameter (up to 46%), stem length (25%), internode number (42%), root length (up to 44%), and total biomass (up to 188%) relative to the control. Biomass accumulation was assessed through two destructive harvests, revealing statistically significant differences among treatments in root, stem, leaf, and total fresh and dry weights. While no substantial difference was observed between the cultivars for some traits, interactions between cultivar and treatment were found to be statistically significant for several biomass-related traits. Total yield was calculated as 2359.16 kg/da for Galia C8 and 2283.97 kg/da for Kırkağaç 637. The average yield increased from 1441 kg/da in the first year to 3201 kg/da in the second year. Compared to the control treatments, the total yield showed an increase of 91.94% for Galia C8 and 26.75% for Kırkağaç 637. These findings suggest that integrating biostimulants with organic fertilizers can enhance melon growth, yield components, and biomass partitioning, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilization practices, particularly under semi-arid conditions.
References
Adıyaman Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. (2023). Adıyaman ili tarımsal üretim raporu. T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı, Adıyaman İl Tarım ve Orman Müdürlüğü. https://adiyaman.tarimorman.gov.tr
Akgün, T. (2011). Organik tarım. Güney Ege Kalkınma Ajansı. http://geka.org.tr/yukleme/dosya/organiktarim.pdf
Anonymous. (2013). Organik gübre nedir? http://www.organikgubre.org/organik-gubre-nedir
Arcak, S., & Güven, N. (2004). Biyolojik gübrelemenin sürdürülebilir ekosistemdeki önemi. Türkiye III. Ulusal Gübre Kongresi, Tarım-Sanayi-Çevre, 837–844. Tokat.
Arıkan, Ş., İpek, M., & Pırlak, L. (2013). Effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on yield and fruit quality of quince. In 2013 International Conference on Agriculture and Biotechnology (IPCBEE) (Vol. 60, pp. 97–100).
Bayu, E. M., Suminarti, N. E., & Setiawan, A. (2025). Optimization of Growth and Yield of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) on Rooftop through the Application of PGPR and Mycorrhizae. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 10(1), 593033.
Bitew, Y., & Alemayehu, M. (2017). Impact of crop production inputs on soil health: a review. Asian Journal Plant Science, 16(3), 109-131.
Calvo, P., Nelson, L., & Kloepper, J. W. (2014). Agricultural uses of plant biostimulants. Plant and Soil, 383, 3–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2131-8
Chatzistathis, T., Sarropoulou, V., Papaioannou, E., & Giannakoula, A. (2025). Inorganic and Organic Fertilization Effects on the Growth, Nutrient Uptake, Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Fruit Quality in Solanum melongena L. Plants. Agronomy, 15(4), 872.
Chiaiese, P., Corrado, G., Colla, G., Kyriacou, M. C., & Rouphael, Y. (2018). Renewable sources of plant biostimulation: Microalgae as a sustainable means to improve crop performance. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 1782. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01782
Chiaiese, P., Corrado, G., Colla, G., Kyriacou, M. C., & Rouphael, Y. (2018). Renewable sources of plant biostimulation: Microalgae as a sustainable means to improve crop performance. Frontiers in Plnt Science, 9, 1782. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01782
De Queiroga, R. C. F., da Silva, Z. L., da Nóbrega Santos, E., Silva, H. L. O., da Costa, F. B., & de Assis, L. E. (2020). Melon fruit yield and quality as a function of doses and times of biostimulant application. Research, Society and Development, 9(7), e130973911-e130973911.
Egamberdiyeva, D., & Höflich, G. (2004). Effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria on growth and nutrient uptake of cotton and pea in a semi-arid region of Uzbekistan. Journal of Arid Environments, 56, 293–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-1963(03)00050-7
El-Sayed, A. F. M. (2006). Semi-intensive culture. In Tilapia culture (pp. 47-69). Wallingford UK: CABI Publishing.
Fernando, D., Milagrosa, S., Francisco, C., & Francisco, M. (2018). Biostimulant activity of Trichoderma saturnisporum in melon (Cucumis melo). HortScience, 53(6), 810-815.
Gabriel-Ortega, J., Chilan-Mata, M., Narváez-Campana, W., Ayón-Villao, F., Merchán-García, W., Flores-Ramírez, H., & Burgos-López, G. (2024). Effect of biostimulants on growth and production of cucumber and melon in greenhouse. Introduction. Agronomía Costarricense, 48(2), 159-168.
Geng, Y., Chen, S., Lv, P., Li, Y., Li, J., Jiang, F., ... & Zhou, R. (2025). Positive Role of Trichoderma harzianum in Increasing Plant Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses: A Review. Antioxidants, 14(7), 807.
Gholami, A., Shahsavani, S., & Nezarat, S. (2009). The effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on germination, seedling growth and yield of maize. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 49, 19–24.
Ghosh, D. C., & Mohiuddin, Md. (2000). Response of summer sesame (Sesamum indicum) to biofertilizers and growth regulator. Agricultural Science Digest, 20(2), 90–92.
Glick, B. R. (2012). Plant growth‐promoting bacteria: mechanisms and applications. Scientifica, 2012(1), 963401.
Hayat, R., Ali, S., Amara, U., Khalid, R., & Ahmed, I. (2010). Soil beneficial bacteria and their role in plant growth promotion: A review. Annals of Microbiology, 60, 579–598. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-010-0117-1
Kapoore, R. V., Wood, E. E., & Llewellyn, C. A. (2021). Algae biostimulants: A critical look at microalgal biostimulants for sustainable agricultural practices. Biotechnology Advances, 49, 107754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107754
Mena-Violente, H. G., & Olalde, V. (2007). Alteration of tomato fruit quality by root inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): Bacillus subtilis BEB-13bs. Scientia Horticulturae, 113, 103–106.
Nkolisa, Z., Mpambani, B., Mtamzeli-Cekiso, N., & Ncama, K. (2025). Economic Viability of Organic Fertilizers to Improve Growth, Yield, and Quality of Pineapples in Africa: A Review. Horticulturae, 11(6), 636.
Pırlak, L., & Köse, M. (2009). Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on yield and some fruit properties of strawberry. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 32, 1173–1184. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160903092686
Qi, Y., Wu, Z., Wang, Y., Zhou, R., Liu, L., Wang, Y., ... & Jiang, F. (2025). Bacillus Bio-Organic Fertilizer Altered Soil Microorganisms and Improved Yield and Quality of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Plants, 14(9), 1389.
Rahim, H. U., Ali, W., Uddin, M., Ahmad, S., Khan, K., Bibi, H., & Alatalo, J. M. (2025). Abiotic stresses in soils, their effects on plants, and mitigation strategies: a literature review. Chemistry and Ecology, 41(4), 552-585.
Renuka, N., Guldhe, A., Prasanna, R., Singh, P., & Bux, F. (2018). Microalgae as multi-functional options in modern agriculture: Current trends, prospects and challenges. Biotechnology Advances, 36(4), 1255–1273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.04.004
Rouphael, Y., & Colla, G. (2020). Editorial: Biostimulants in Agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 40. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00040
Sabir, M. S., Shahzadi, F., Ali, F., Shakeela, Q., Niaz, Z., & Ahmed, S. (2021). Comparative effect of fertilization practices on soil microbial diversity and activity: an overview. Current Microbiology, 78(10), 3644-3655.
Sari, N., Abak, K., & Daşgan, H. (2000). Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde kavun yetiştiriciliği. Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknik Araştırma Kurumu, Türkiye Tarımsal Araştırma Projesi Yayınları.
Sari, N., Abak , K., Pitrat, M., & Dumas de Vaulx, R. (1992). Kavunlarda (Cucumis melo L. var. inodorus Naud ve C. melo var. reticulatus Naud) partenogenetik haploid embriyo uyartımı ve bitki eldesi. Doğa Türk Tarım ve Ormancılık Dergisi, 16, 302–314.
TÜİK. (2023). Bitkisel üretim istatistikleri: Adıyaman ili. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu. https://data.tuik.gov.tr
Ünlü, H., & Padem, H. (2013). Organik domates yetiştiriciliğinde çiftlik gübresi, mikrobiyal gübre ve bitki aktivatörü kullanımının verim ve kalite özellikleri üzerine etkileri. Ekoloji, 19(73), 1–9.
Vázquez-Hernández, M., Arevalo-Galarza, L., Jaen-Contreras, D., Escamilla-García, J. L., Mora-Aguilera, A., Hernández Castro, E., & Cibrián-Tovar, J. (2011). Effect of Glomus mosseae and Entrohospora colombiana on plant growth, production and fruit quality of ‘Maradol’ papaya (Carica papaya L.). Scientia Horticulturae, 128, 255–260.
Yu, Z., Guo, B., Sun, T., Li, R., Zhao, Z., & Yao, L. (2025). Effects of organic fertilizer substitution for mineral fertilizer on soil fertility, yield, and quality of muskmelons. Agronomy, 15(3), 639.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
