Acidificação da água calcária utilizada na irrigação do meloeiro.

Abstract

The objective of the work was to evaluate growth of melon irrigated with water rich in calcium bicarbonate when water alkalinity was controlled using acidificant substances. Experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial outline 4 x 3 x 2 + 2, with three replications. Factors studied were three doses of a acidificant product (Lower 7) which lowered water pH to 7.0, 6.0, 5.0, and the control without acidificant; three irrigation frequencies (daily, weekly and twice a week) and two soil types. Additionally, nitric acid was used twice a week to lower the pH to 6,0. The intermediate irrigation frequency (twice a week) with the maintenance of a water pH of 6.0, both using “Lower 7” or nitric acid, provided the better response of the culture until 28 days after planting