Produção e caracterização física de melão cantaloupe com diferentes espaçamentos e arranjos espaciais de plantas.

Abstract

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.