SILVA, J. D. F.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3049510081917659; SILVA, Joana Darc Ferreira.
Résumé:
Plant spacing and spatial distribution in the area have a significant impact on
muskmelon production and fruit quality. This work aims to evaluate the production
and physical characterization of Cantaloupe muskmelon fruits with plant spacing
different and spatial arrangement of plants. The experiment was carried out between
September and November 2022 at the Experimental Farm of the Federal University
of Campina Grande (UFCG), in São Domingos - PB. Treatments were distributed in a
randomized complete block design in 2 x 3 split plots, with 4 replications per
treatment. In the plot, the two spacing between plants in the row (30 and 50 cm) and
in the subplots of three spatial arrangements of plants (single row, square double row
and triangular double row) were allocated. Hybrid muskmelon plants from the
Cantaloupe Group, cv. Bazuca F1. The following characteristics were evaluated:
number of leaves per plant, leaf area, number of fruits per plant, fruit fresh mass,
total productivity, soluble solids, titratable acidity, maturation index, rind reticulation,
fruit length, fruit diameter , fruit shape index, pulp thickness and fruit cavity diameter.
The results showed that both the row spacing and the spatial arrangement of plants
had a significant effect on the characteristics related to production and quality of
muskmelon fruits. The best plant growth in terms of leaf area occurred in the row
spacing of 0.3 m, when associated with the single-row spatial arrangement. The
spacing of 0.3 m also resulted in a greater number of fruits, but with lower fresh
mass. Regardless of row spacing, the single-row spatial arrangement was the most
efficient in terms of number and fresh mass of muskmelon fruits. The quadrangular
double-row spatial arrangement, which provided a greater number of plants, resulted
in greater total crop productivity, especially when combined with the row spacing of
0.3 m. Increasing row spacing to 0.5 m resulted in an increase in soluble solids in the
muskmelon fruit, but with no significant effect when different spatial arrangements of
plants were applied.