The reutilization of nutrients after the fermentation of organic residue in the biodigestor, associated with a hydroponic cultivation technique, could be a new alternative to reduce costs in agriculture, as well as contributing to the reduction of consumption of the natural reserves of nutrients. The behavior of a melon plant culture with the utilization of the hydroponic technique and using the effluent of biodigestor proceeding from anaerobic fermentation of bovine manure was evaluated. Melon plants were cultivated in protected environment. The statistical design was of randomized blocks, with four treatments (hydroponic cultivation in closed system type NFT with the use of organic-mineral nutrient solution; hydroponic cultivation in closed system type NFT with the use of the 100% mineral nutrient solution; cultivation in open system, with substrate and organic-mineral nutrient solution and cultivation in open system, with substrate and the 100% mineral nutrient solution) and 6 replications. Height of plants was evaluated at 50; 56; 63; 70 and 77 days after sowing; time of harvest; weight of fruits and yield. The best responses were observed for hydroponic cultivation in closed system type NFT using 100% mineral nutrient solution. The partial substitution of mineral fertilizers for biofertilizer, showed itself to be viable for the treatments in open system (with substrate).
Cucumis melo L.; hydroponics; greenhouse; substrate; nutrient solution
