Oliveira, Renata Ramayane Torquato Oliveira, Francisco de Assis de Góis, Helena Maria de Morais Neta Menezes, Paulo Victor de Santos, Sandy Thomaz dos Aroucha, Edna Maria Mendes Almeida, José Gustavo Lima de
Salt stress and K/Ca ratios of the nutrient solution in the production and quality of the melon
ABSTRACT - Melon cultivation under saline conditions is a challenge, as the plants can suffer a reduction in fruit production and quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production and quality of noble melon fruit fertigated with different saline solutions and K/Ca ratios. The experimental design was of randomised blocks, with treatments arranged in a 3 x 6 factorial scheme, using three melon cultivars (Bazuca, McLaren, County) fertigated with six nutrient solutions [S1 – standard nutrient solution (SNS); S2 – SNS + NaCl (5.0 dS m-1); S3 – S2 enriched with K (50%); S4 – S2 enriched with K (100%); S5 – S2 enriched with Ca (50%); S6 – S2 enriched with Ca (100%)]. At the end of each cultivar cycle, the fruit was harvested and assessed for the following parameters: fresh fruit weight, fruit diameter, internal cavity, pulp thickness, pulp firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, and vitamin C. Salt stress impaired the physical characteristics of the fruit of the three noble melon cultivars. The nutrient solution enriched with 50% K (S3) did not reduce the effect of salt stress on fresh weight or fruit size in the melon, but afforded an increase in fruit quality.