Resposta do melão tipo gália a diferentes tensões de água no solo

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the production and quality of melon “Hybrid Gália”, grown in greenhouse, and submitted to different levels of soil water availability, during the vegetative and reproductive phases and also during the entire cycle. It was using a completely randomized design, with four treatments and four replications. The treatments were soil water tensions of 15, 30, 60 and 120 kPa. The melon plants were spaced 0.5 x 1.0 m and, being grown vertically. Was used a drip irrigation system and the soil water tension was done by tensiometers and granular matrix sensors (Watermark®), installed at 0.10 and 0.25 m deep. Fruit productivity and the length were significantly affected by the treatments applied in the reproductive phase and the total cycle. Total soluble solids and fruit firmness were not affected by treatments. The soil water tension of 120 kPa could be used during the vegetative phase without significant yield losses. During the reproductive phase and full cycle should be used the soil water tension of 15 kPa for irrigation monitoring.