Accumulation of dry matter and nutrients in melons produced under saline stress and potassium levels

Abstract

Determination of accumulation of dry matter and concentration of nutrients in the plant tissues allows to construct the absorption curves of nutrients, very important for the formulation of precise fertilizer recommendations for fertigation in accordance with demand of each nutrient in particular growth phase. In this context, the study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of low and high salinity water combined with increasing doses of potassium in the extraction and exportation of nutrients in muskmelon. A field experiment with melon cultivar Goldex using drip irrigation system was conducted from September to November 2004 in Mossoró, RN with doses of K₂O (218; 273; 328; 383 and 438 kg ha^-1) irrigated with water of electrical conductivity (ECw) of 0.52 and 2.41 dS m^-1. in a randomized block design with four replications while the doses of K₂O were applied in the split plots. The analysis of results revealed that the potassium content in the dry matter of aerial parts tend to increase under saline water (ECw = 2.41 dS m^-1) at the dose of 328 kg ha^-1 of K₂O and above. The fruits accounted for 73.33% of dry matter of aerial parts at the end of 63 days after sowing.