The yield and quality of melon AF 682 was evaluated in different planting densities in Juazeiro, Bahia State, Brazil. A randomized complete block design with split-plot and four replications was used, where main plots were made up of rows 1.8 and 2.0 m apart, and subplots were made up of three within-rows spacings (0.2; 0.4 and 0.6 m), which corresponded to planting densities of 5.00; 2.50 and 1.66 plants for linear furrow meter. The commercial yield decreased linearly with the planting density reduction. The stand of 5.00 plants per linear meter achieved the greatest yield (40.69 t/ha). The fresh mass of the fruits showed a linear positive effect with the planting density reduction. The stand of 1.66 plants per linear meter showed the greatest fruit fresh mass (2.09 kg/fruit). Increasing the planting space, a greater number of fruits per plant was recorded. Most of the fruit was concentrated on the types 6 and 8, which was larger and had preference of the internal market. A smaller percentage was found for the types 10 and 12, which have better acceptance in the external market. Planting density did not affect the soluble solids content and the fruit shape ratio.
Cucumis melo; spacing; fruits classification; soluble solids content
