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The feasibility of mixing sandy soil with manure compost was explored for growing muskmelon (Cucumis melon L.). Eight combinations of two compost types (cattle manure with straw (CS) and sheep manure with straw (SS)) mixed in different ratios to sandy soil were used. The mineralisation rate of N and P in CS substrates was higher than that in SS substrates. The reverse was the case for K. The yield and quality of fruit was higher in CS than in SS substrates. CS substrates were therefore better than SS substrates and the optimum rate of addition was a 1:1 ratio of compost to sandy soil.