Trial of Try Equal Plus and EVR in melon cultivation in Mazarrón (Murcia).

Introduction

The profitability of melon cultivation in semi-arid areas such as Mazarrón (Murcia) depends to a large extent on the efficient use of water, nutrients and the crop's ability to tolerate adverse conditions. Therefore, the use of biostimulants that optimise plant metabolism and improve resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses has become a key tool in today's technical agriculture.

The aim of the present trial is to evaluate the agronomic efficacy of two biostimulant products -EVR y Try Equal Plus- applied for five weeks in combination with a standard fertilisation programme on yellow melon. The trial was carried out under real field conditions in an experimental farm located in Mazarrón (Murcia).

The specific objectives were:

• Determine the effect of EVR y Try Equal Plus on vegetative and root development of the crop.
• Assess its impact on yield and fruit quality.
• Check its compatibility with the practice of fertigation.
• Monitor soil water behaviour by means of humidity sensors to adjust irrigation management.

Materials and Methods

1. Location of the trial

• LocationPrivate experimental farm, Mazarrón (Murcia).
• CultivationYellow melon (Cucumis melo L.), 90-day cycle.
• Planting frameTypical of intensive cultivation (1,5 × 0,5 m).
• Irrigation systemLocalised drip irrigation.
• Date of trial: Spring-summer.

2. Standard fertilisation (basic treatment)

All treatments, including the controls with application of biostimulant products, were based on a conventional fertilisation programmedesigned to cover the nutritional needs of melon crops in sandy soils and semi-arid climates.

Typical composition of the standard fertigation programme (indicative):

• Total nitrogen (N): 180-200 kg/ha/cycle (calcium nitrate + urea).
• Phosphorus (P₂O₅)60-80 kg/ha (phosphoric acid or MAP).
• Potassium (K₂O)200-250 kg/ha (potassium nitrate or potassium sulphate).
• Calcium and MagnesiumFertigation supplementation with calcium nitrate and magnesium sulphate.
• MicronutrientsApplied as chelates (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B and Mo) as a preventive measure.

The fertigation strategy was divided into phases, adjusting the nutrient doses to the phenological stages of the crop: implantation, vegetative development, fruit set, fattening and ripening.

3. Evaluated treatments

Three modalities were compared:

Base fertiliser composition:

4. Description of products

a) EVR (Biostimulant based on Yucca schidigera)

• NatureNatural extract with a high content of steroidal saponinsfrom Yucca schidigera.
• Agronomic functions:
  • Improves nutrient uptake by stimulating the root system.
  • Promotes colonisation by beneficial micro-organisms in the rhizosphere.
  • Compatible with fertilisers, biocontrol and micro-organisms (add at the end of the tank to avoid foaming).
  • It can be applied by fertigation, foliar or seed treatment.
• Observed advantages:
  • Increased vigour at early stages.
  • More homogeneous fruit with optimum commercial size.
  • Easy and phytotoxicity-free application.

b) Try Equal Plus (liquid NK with functional amino acids)

• Nature: Fertiliser liquid with activated amino acids and high concentrations of nitrogen and potassiumenriched with tryptophan and other aromatic amino acids.
• Agronomic functions:
  • Stimulates the synthesis of auxins (via tryptophan), which promotes the growth of roots, stems and fruits.
  • Activates defence mechanisms (phytoalexins, antioxidants) via the si-chimic and malonic acid pathways.
  • Improved tolerance to biotic (pathogens, nematodes) and abiotic (temperature, salinity, drought) stresses.
• Observed advantages:
  • Increased emission of bell flower buds.
  • Increase in the number of fruit set per plant.
  • General improvement of plant production and plant health.

5. Water monitoring

In order to optimise irrigation efficiency, the following were installed WaterScout SM100 Moisture Profilers (Spectrum Technologies, USA) at different depths, making it possible to observe the evolution of the volumetric water content in the soil and adjust the frequency and intensity of irrigation to the actual needs of the crop.

Results

1. EVR treatment

• Vegetative growthVigour in the early stages, with more developed leaves and more active roots.
• Fruit qualityFruits of more uniform size and homogeneous ripening.
• Compatibility: It was correctly integrated into the fertigation plan with no mixing problems.

"We applied EVR from the first weeks after transplanting, and we immediately noticed that the plants rooted faster and gained strength before the rest. What I liked most was the uniformity we achieved in the fruit set and the size of the melons".he says Pedro ContrerasThe farmer responsible for the experimental plot.

• Technical commentaryIts use is especially recommended in early stages of cultivation to favour the initial development of the root system.

2. Treatment with Try Equal Plus

• Vegetative growth: Visible increase in the emission of side shoots and bell-shaped flowering.
• ProductionHigher number of fruits per plant and better resistance to stress conditions.
• ResistanceThe treated plants performed better under high temperature and water deficit conditions.

"With Try Equal Plus we noticed that the plants came very lively, with lots of good, well-formed shoots".says Pedro Contreras.

• Technical commentary: A general yield improvement was observed under intensive growing conditions, attributed to the combined effect on metabolism and plant defences.

"The combination of base nutrition plus these products has given us a plus in production and peace of mind, because the plants respond better even in the most demanding weeks".adds Pedro.

Conclusions

Both treatments offered significant agronomic benefits over standard management:

• EVR improves the initial establishment of the crop and favours efficient nutrient uptake, promoting a more balanced and homogeneous growth from the start.
• Try Equal Plus acts as a metabolic enhancer, improving both plant architecture and stress tolerance, with direct impact on productivity.

These results suggest that the incorporation of biostimulants such as EVR y Try Equal Plus may involve a substantial improvement in the agronomic efficiency of the melon cropespecially under limiting environmental conditions.

The farmer's practical experience, in line with the observed data, reinforces the usefulness of these biostimulants as effective management tools in professional melon production.

Recommendations

• Start application from the early post-transplanting stages.
• Ensure good compatibility in mixtures with fertilisers and pesticides (add EVR at the end).
• Continue to monitor the soil moisture to maximise water efficiency and avoid overwatering.
• Conduct complementary trials to study possible synergies between the two products in combined or sequential treatments.

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