This study investigated the variability of drip fertirrigation parameters, its spatial dependence and relationship to yield and quality of melon fruits in a field in Mossoró, RN, Brazil. A total of 75 plots were sampled in a 20 by 20 m grid to determine the following parameters: yield of export type melon (PEXP) and national market type (PNAC), marketable yield (PCOM), mean weight of marketable fruits (PMCOM), total soluble solids content (SST), pulp firmness, pulp thickness (ESPOLP), emitter discharge rate, elevation, distance to water inlet, amount of fertilizer applied, and emission uniformity (CUE) of discharge rate and fertilizer amount. The variability was assessed by conventional statistics methods and by geostatistics. Fertilizer amount applied in the first test and emitter discharge rate were lower than expected. Emission uniformity was good and excellent for discharge rate, and fair and good for fertilizer amount. Spatial dependence was observed for discharge rate and fertilizer amount, and the maps generated allowed the identification of spots in the field with application deficit or excess application. Correlation analysis suggests influence of discharge rate on PNAC, PCOM and PMCOM, and of fertilizer amount on PEXP and pulp thickness.
Cucumis melo L.; fruit yield; fruit quality; geoestatistics
