Abstract
ABSTRACT Melon is one of the most important vegetables for the Brazilian foreign trade. However, in semi-arid areas, the irregular rainfall, excessive use of fertilizers and, especially, poor quality water contribute to the soil salinization, becoming a limiting factor and damaging the photosynthetic apparatus, as well as affecting yield. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological behavior of melon cultivars submitted to soil salinity. For that, an experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a randomized block experimental design, in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, with the first factor related to melon cultivars (Iracema, Goldex and Natal) and the second one related to soil salinity levels (0.3 dS m-1, 1.3 dS m-1, 2.3 dS m-1, 3.3 dS m-1 and 4.3 dS m-1 of electrical conductivity), with four replications. For soil salinization, a saturation extract with initial soil salinity of 0.3 dS m-1 was obtained, while the other levels were prepared by adding NaCl to the soil. The physiology of melon plants is negatively affected by the increased salinity in the soil. The evaluated cultivars do not show differences in tolerance for the physiological response to soil saline stress.
Highlights
Melon has a great economic value in the Brazilian market, being one of the crops with the highest growth rate for vegetables exported by the country
Therewith, the present study aimed to evaluate the physiological behavior of melon cultivars under soil salinity levels
It was verified that a soil salinity of up to 1.02 dS m-1 promoted an increase in the net CO2 assimilation (6.79 μmol m-2 s-1), decreasing gradually from this plant saline level (Figure 3A)
Summary
Melon has a great economic value in the Brazilian market, being one of the crops with the highest growth rate for vegetables exported by the country. Besides the economic and food influence, Brazil has a great social relevance in the generation of direct and indirect jobs in the Northeast of the country, the largest producing region, since a large amount of labor at all stages of the production system is required (Dalastra et al 2016). From an agricultural point of view, stands out as a state affected by an irregular rainfall regime. These characteristics are limiting factors for agricultural development, significantly compromising the yield of agricultural crops (Santos Júnior et al 2011). The water available for irrigation has a moderate salt
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