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Growth of muskmelon under different levels of salinity, with and without soil covering

The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth of melon hybrids submitted to three irrigation water salinity levels with and without soil covering. The experiment was conducted at the São João Farm, Mossoró in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The factorial (3 x 2 x 2) scheme was adapted in completely randomized blocks, with four repetitions. The factors were three salinity levels of irrigation water, with electrical conductivity of 1.2, 2.5 and 4.5 dS m-1, two hybrids (Gold Mine and Trusty), with and without soil covering by a film of double face black-silvery polyethylene. The leaf area, dry weight and rate of absolute growth were affected by water salinity and soil covering, varying with plant age. The soil covering provided a larger leaf area and dry weight of plants. In case of hybrid Trusty the dry weight reduced when water of higher salinity was used. Highest absolute growth rate was verified between 35 and 45 days after planting, and in this period the absolute growth rate decreased with an increase in salinity. The relative growth and liquid assimilation rates were not affected by water salinity, soil covering or hybrid.

Cucumis melo L.; plastic mulch; development of plant


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