Enhancing melon growth and sustainability through spun-bonded polypropylene fabric wrapping

This study aimed to assess various weights of spun-bonded nonwoven polypropylene (PP) fabrics for wrapping outdoor-grown melons, providing cost-effective options for both construction and insect protection. Fruit wrap bags were crafted using different materials, and spun-bond fabrics with weights of 30, 40, 50, and 60 gsm were tested for encasing melons. The results demonstrated that the 50 gsm spun-bonded bags significantly improved melon growth after a four-week period, establishing them as the preferred choice for outdoor melon cultivation. To evaluate their growth in comparison to unwrapped fruits, we measured melon circumference after four weeks. Unwrapped melons exhibited the slowest growth, whereas those enveloped in 50 gsm spun-bond fabric displayed the most substantial growth. Additionally, we employed hanging weights to gauge melon development. Melons encased in 30, 40, 50, and 60 gsm spun-bond fabric weighed 663, 680, 707, and 870 grams, respectively. Significantly, melons wrapped in 50 gsm spun-bond fabric exhibited the highest weight gain, underscoring its effectiveness. This study highlights the potential of spun-bonded PP fabric as a sustainable packaging option and a growth enhancer for melons, contributing to sustainable agriculture and improved crop quality.