A study was carried out at "São João" Farm to evaluate the evolution of soil salinity under drip irrigated melon crop, using different water salinity levels and irrigation management in the municipality of Mossoró-RN. The treatments were composed of combination of three factors consisting of three levels of water salinity (S1 - 1.2, S2 - 2.5 and S3 - 4.5 dS m-1), two cultivars of melon (C1 - Honey Dew cultivar Orange flesh and C2- cantaloupe hybrid Trusty) and two frequencies of irrigation (F1 - intervals of one day up to 30 days after sowing (DAS) and thereafler twice a day and F2 - interval of two days up to 30 DAS and thereafler daily). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with four replications, arranged in 3 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme. The evolution of soil salinity was evaluated using conventinal and soil solution extraction methods. Results showed that soil salinity increased with time, higher salinity levels being observed near to the soil surface and drippers. Soil salinity tended to attain equilibrium towards the end of the melon crop and that the evolution of the soil salinity was proportional to salt concentration of the irrigation water independent of the irrigation frequency. The salinity observed in soil solution extraction method after correction for moisture content was comparable to salinity determined by conventional method.
electrical conductivity; water management; Cucumis melo L.
