Objective The effects of applying different melon straws on the nutrient absorption of peach seedlings.

Method Through a pot experiment, the effects of applying five melon species: cucumber (Cucumis sativus), winter melon (Benincasa hispida), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), loofah (Luffa aegyptiaca) and bitter melon (Momordica charantia) straws on nutrient absorption of peach (Prunus davidiana) seedlings were studied.

Result Applying cucumber straw increased the root and shoot biomass of peach seedlings by 9.09% and 5.48% compared with the control, while applying the other four straws had no significant effect on the biomass of peach seedlings. Except for applying cucumber straw, applying other four straws reduced the nitrogen absorption and transport capacity of peach seedlings. Except for applying pumpkin straw, applying other four straws improved the phosphorus absorption and transport capacity of peach seedlings. Compared with the control, applying bitter melon straw increased the total phosphorus content in the roots and shoots of peach seedlings by 11.93% and 48.45%, respectively, and applying pumpkin straw reduced the total phosphorus content, phosphorus absorption, and transportation amount of shoots of peach seedlings by 11.34%, 11.97%, and 25.37%, respectively. Except for applying bitter melon straw, applying the other four straws improved the potassium absorption and transport capacity of peach seedlings. Applying winter melon straw had the highest total potassium content in the roots and shoots of peach seedlings, which increased by 16.19% and 31.55% compared with the control.

Conclusion Applying cucumber straw can promote the growth, nutrient absorption and utilization of peach seedlings.