Abstract
Greenhouse and field studies were conducted using research coolers to expose 4 week old `Superstar' muskmelons, planted into 1 liter plastic containers, to chilling temperatures. Temperatures of 1, 5, & 9 °C were arranged in factorial combination with lengths of exposures 6, 12, & 24 hours and number of exposures 1, 3, & 5. In the Greenhouse studies single plant experimental units were allowed to grow for 2 weeks following application of the chilling treatments, then growth data was taken. In field studies, exposed muskmelons were planted into 8 plants/plot units when all plants had received chilling treatments. Leaf area and plant dry weight of `Superstar' melons were significantly reduced by both the interaction of temperature and length of exposure and times exposed and temperature, with dramatic reductions in leaf area occurring at 24 hours of exposure or 5 times exposed at 1 °C. A significant interaction was found between times exposed or length of exposure and temperature on vine length, flower number and type measurements taken 4 weeks after chilled transplants were established in the field. Additionally, fruit number and mean melon weight were reduced by ether exposure to 10C, exposure of 24 hours or 3 times exposed.
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