Behavior of three hybrids of protected cropping melon at two different spacing schemes in the Chapada do Apodi - CE - Brazil

Abstract

This paper aimed to evaluate the behavior of three hybrids of melon, under two different spacings, concerning yield and fruit quality. The trials were conducted under protected cropping condition, in a greenhouse, at the Research and Extension Experimental Station (UEPE) of the Instituto Centro de Ensino Tecnologico (CENTEC) located at the Chapada do Apodi (Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará State, Brazil). Seedlings of the hybrid Rita, of the group yellow, and of the hybrids Tânia and Gilat, of the group Cantaloupe were transplanted 15 days after seeding, at the following spacing schemes: 0.30 m and 0.50 m between plants in the line, and 1.00 m between lines of plants, and tutored vertically up to 2.0 m high. The experimental units were conducted following a split plot design, with blocks randomly assigned with four replicates. Results showed that plats spaced 0.3 m apart produced high yields for the three hybrids tested. Therefore, this spacing scheme should be recommended. The higher plant density could explain the higher yield. Among all hybrids, the Rita presented superior values for all evaluated parameters (average weight, length and width of fruits).