PRODUCTION OF MELON (CUCUMISMELO L.) ELDORADO 300 SEEDLINGS GROWN IN DIFFERENT SUBSTRATES AND SOWING DEPTHS

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the most consumed vegetables in the world. In recent decades, sustainable production alternatives have been sought, replacing traditional substrates with the use of substrates from organic waste. The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial development of melon seedlings in different substrates and depths of sowing, as well as to identify relationships among the characters evaluated. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with a randomized block experimental design arranged in a 3x4 factorial scheme, with three substrates (grape husk, rice husk, commercial substrate) and four sowing depths (1.0, 2, 0, 3.0 and 4.0 cm), with four replicates. The evaluated characters were index of emergency speed, shoot length and root, green and dry mass of the root and shoot. The analysis of variance revealed significant interaction between substrates x depth of sowing for the character of shoot length and root length. Pearson's linear correlation revealed two significant positive associations. It is concluded that melon seedlings are affected by the substrate types and depths of sowing, the substratum based on grape bark can replace commercial substrates, the bark of charred rice does not have a positive response in the production of melon seedlings and the correlation Of Pearson showed a positive relationship between characters.