Disease Progression and Productivity of Melon Plants with Different Cultural Management Techniques

Studies of several agricultural crops have been concluded with the aim of achieving greater environmental balance by reducing the use of pesticides, as well as promoting the viability of cultural management techniques that diminish the proliferation of phytopathogens. In the melon growing industry, studies of this sort are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the influence on disease progression and melon crop productivity of various production systems, including fertilization, spacing, pesticide use, and pruning of branches and culling of fruits. Organic fertilization was efficient for the management of phytopathogens due to the presence of antagonistic microorganisms. Minimizing pesticide use did not affect crop productivity.