The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth, vegetative development and accumulation of dry matter of the "Gold mine" melon submitted to different depths of irrigation using two levels of salinity. The experiment was conducted under field conditions at Fazenda São João, Mossoró, RN, in random blocks and 6 x 2 factorial experimental design. The treatments consisted of 6 depths of irrigation (0.55; 0.70; 0.85; 1.00; 1.15; 1.3 of the maximum crop evapotranspiration) and two levels of salinity of the irrigation water (0.55 and 2.65 dS m-1). The absence of water in the critical period significantly affected the rest of the cycle, causing decrease in the dry weight in the treatment of irrigation depth considered as of the most appropriate depth (266 mm). The water of higher salinity (2.65 dS m-1) affected the accumulation of dry matter in the cycle.
melon; water quality; water stress; Cucumis melo L.
