Effects of soil type, mineral nutrition and salinity on greenhouse‐grown muskmelon in winter¹

Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 3214‐E, 1991 series.

Abstract

Greenhouse experiments under winter conditions were conducted to examine the effects of soil type, mineral nutrition and salinity on vegetative growth and. fruit yield of ‘Galia’ muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). Growth in a calcareous soil or in sand, under low nutrition level or with 200 mM NaCl added during fruit maturation, imposed significant stresses on the plants expressed by (a) a decrease in dry matter accumulation in vegetative organs, in fruit number and size, and (b) an increase in dry matter percentage in leaf blades and stems. Despite the significant differences in vegetative growth of plants grown in heavy soil vs sandy soil, and in high nutrition vs low nutrition levels, the distribution of dry matter among vegetative organs (leaves, stems and roots) was affected only slightly. Sandy soil, low nutrition and high salinity decreased branching, and thus the distribution of dry matter between the main shoot and the branches. Dry matter percentage in leaf blades and stems was a sensitive parameter which increased under soil, nutrition or salinity stresses. Fruit netting and total soluble solids (TSS) content were significantly decreased by sandy soil and low nutrition level. Application of salinity during fruit growth increased both netting and TSS.

Notes

Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 3214‐E, 1991 series.