201 Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 8(2): 201-212, 2012 ISSN 1816-1561 This is a refereed journal and all articles are professionally screened and reviewed ORIGINAL ARTICLES Corresponding Auther: Mohamed Abd El-Aal, Botany Dept., Fac. of Agric., Benha Univ., Egypt E-mail:dr.mohamedabdelall@yahoo.com Response of Ananas Melon Plants to Foliar Spray with Some Natural Extracts Abd El-Aal, M.M.M. Botany Dept., Fac. of Agric., Benha Univ., Egypt ABSTRACT Two field experiments were conducted at the experimental farm station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, during early summer seasons of 2010 and 2011. This study is an attempt to improve vegetative growth, yield and fruits quality of sweet ananas melon plants using some natural extracts which non toxic, environmentally friendly , organic and costless. Therefore, sweet ananas melon plant (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus cv. Rodin hybrid) ‘Ananas’, were sprayed with yeast extract at 50 and 100 ml/L; amino acids at 2 and 4 ml/L and Seaweed extract at 1.5 and 3 ml /L after 25 days from sowing . Treatments were done separately. spraying was repeated 4 times with intervals of 10 days after the first one. The results showed that, significant increase was existed in many morphological characteristics as stem length and diameter, number of formed branches and leaves /plant, fresh and dry weight of both stems and leaves, total leaf area /plant and specific leaf weight as well with all applied treatments at 60 days after sowing during the two seasons. Also, the yeast extract at 100 ml/L increased the number of branches /plant nearly two times of the control value. Moreover, the used treatments were highly increased concentration of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids, minerals concentration ( N, P, K, Ca and Mg ) mg/g d.w and total sugars of ananas melon leaves at 60 days after sowing during the two seasons. Also, different applied treatments were increased early and total fruit yield in term of number, weight of early and total fruits per plant. Furthermore, fruit content of minerals concentration (N, P, K, Ca and Mg ) mg/g d.w. , TSS and total sugars compared with those of the control. The yeast extract at 100 ml/L and amino acids at 4 ml/L were the most effective treatments compared with other treatments in this respect . Key words: ananas melon, Yeast extract, Seaweed, Amino acids, Growth, Yield. INTRODUCTION Melon (Cucumis melo L.,family Cucurbitaceae) is a commercially an important horticultural vegetable fruit crop cultivated in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. Melon was domesticated in the eastern Mediterranean region and West Asia at least 4000 years ago and subsequently spread into Asia, (Esteras et al., 2011). During the long period of cultivation many types developed with many fruit shapes and with either sweet or non-sweet flesh. In Africa important variation occurs in Sudan and Egypt. Each country has its own specific melon cultivars and most of the crop is sold in local markets. Production for export has developed in the Mediterranean region, In Africa sweet melon is a luxury crop for urban markets, (Bekseev, 1998). Mature fruits of sweet melon cultivars are usually consumed fresh for the sweet and juicy pulp. Melon fruit enjoys widespread popularity among consumers owing to its taste and high nutritional value, (Majkowska- Gadomska, 2009). The melons fruit are naturally low in fat and sodium, have no cholesterol and provide many essential nutrients such as potassium, in addition to being a rich source in beta-carotene, vitamin C and a good source of carbohydrates, (Lester, 1997and Grubben et al., 2004). Sweet ananas melon plant (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus cv. Rodin hybrid) ‘Ananas’, not a cantaloupe, honeydew, or muskmelon, but rather it is classified as an improved ananas variety. The fruit Large oblong shape, slight net, rind green turning orange beige when mature, white interior. Extremely sweet, juicy and aromatic, (Pothour, 2007). In recent years, the world focused his attention to minimize environmental pollution and human health impacts, by reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemicals in crops production. Especially, vegetables which eat fresh using natural alternatives, (IFAOM/SOEL, 2000 and FAO/TTC, 2001). Hence, the goal of our research was to improve vegetative growth and yield as well as fruits quality of sweet ananas melon plants using some natural extracts which non toxic, environmentally friendly , organic and costless . In this respect, yeast treatments suggested to participate a beneficial role during growth and yield due to its cytokinins content (Barnett et al., 1990), improve the formation of flower initiation due to its effect on carbohydrates accumulation (Winkler et al., 1962). Also, it was reported about its stimulatory effects on cell division and enlargement, protein and nucleic acid synthesis and chlorophyll formation (Fathy and Farid, 1996).