Abstract:
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of each type of floating row covers on watermelon insect pest number, yield and its yield components and some physical conditions under the covers such as air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity and light intensity. The experiment was designed as a Split Plot in RCBD with 4 replications and 2 factors. The main factors were the straw mulch and none, the subsequent factors were types of floating row covers such as no cover, blue nylon net, white insect net and spun bond . The study was carried out during FebruaryMay 2011 at Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus.
The result showed that the straw mulch had no significant effect to watermelon insect pest number, yield and its yield components and to all physical conditions. As comparing among the row covers, those insect pests, yield and its yield components were not significantly different as well. Only the row cover with spun bond was found that the amount of watermelon thrips were less than others. Moreover, it significantly effected to watermelon sweetness. On physical conditions under the row covers, it was found that each type of the row covers significantly effected to air temperature, soil temperature and light intensity but not to relative humidity.