In this study the productive characteristics of five net melon cultivars, using two different cultivation systems were evaluated. The study was conducted in a greenhouse from November/05 to February/06. The experiments were carried out using randomized complete block design with a 5 x 2 factorial scheme and four repetitions. The evaluated factors were five net melon hybrids (Maxim, Bônus 2, Shinju 200, Fantasy and Louis) and two cultivation systems (in the soil and in substrate of coconut husk fiber). After harvest we evaluated the production per plant (kg planta-1); transverse (DTF) and longitudinal diameters (DLF) of fruit, in mm; format index of fruit (IFF); transverse (DTL) and longitudinal diameters (DLL) of locule, in mm; format index of locule (IFL); insertion diameters of the grain stalk (DIP), in mm; and mesocarp thickness (EM), in mm. No interactions were observed among the studied factors. The cultivation in substrate provided better performance when compared to cultivation in soil (2.51 and 1.52 kg planta-1, respectively), where the cultivar Fantasy (2.44 kg plant-1) presented the best performance among cultivars, but not differing from Louis and Maxim. For the characteristics DIP, DTL and EM, a better performance was observed in plants cultivated in substratum. For the characteristics DTF, DLF, IFF and DLL no interactions were observed among the cultivation systems. Therefore, the cultivation in substrate stood out in relation to cultivation in the soil, the cv. Fantasy showing better performance than Shinju 200 and Bonus 2.
Cucumis melo var. reticulatus; greenhouse; coconut fiber; production
