This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of three phosphorus sources applied conventionally and through trickle irrigation on melon crop (Cucumis melo L.), hybrid AF-682. The sources of phosphorus were simple superphosphate, monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and phosphoric acid applied up to 30 and 42 days after germination through trickle irrigation and conventionally. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design, with four replications. All the treatments had the same amount of phosphorus (120 kg ha-1 of P2O5) according to soil analysis. The highest commercial fruit yields were obtained with phosphoric acid applied through trickle irrigation up to 30 and 42 days after germination (28.90 and 32.20 t ha-1, respectively), not differing from MAP applied through trickle irrigation up to 42 days after germination (27.95 t ha-1). The sources of phosphorus and modes of application did not influence the mean weight of fruits (1.43 kg), 65% of fruits being of type 8 to 10; however differences were observed in the soluble solids content at harvest time, highest content (brix 12.53º) was obtained in phosphoric acid treatment.
Cucumis melo; fertigation; yield; fruit quality
