Produção e qualidade de melão Cantaloupe em cultivo protegido temporariamente com agrotêxtil em Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

Desde o ano de 2001, na região do agropolo de Mossoró/Assu-RN, o agrotêxtil é utilizado como proteção de plantas contra pragas da cultura do meloeiro. Este experimento teve como objetivo avaliar a produção e a qualidade de dois híbridos de melão Cantaloupe, em cultivo protegido, temporariamente, com agrotêxtil. O trabalho foi realizado na Horta da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), em Mossoró-RN, de julho a outubro de 2010. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados completos, com quatro repetições, dispostos no esquema de parcelas subdivididas no espaço. As parcelas foram representadas pelo número de dias após o transplante das mudas (DAT), em que as plantas permaneceram sob proteção de agrotêxtil (0; 18; 21; 24; 27 e 30 DAT) e, as subparcelas, por dois híbridos F1 de melão Cantaloupe: 'Acclaim' e 'Caribbean Gold RZ'. Foram avaliadas características de produção e de qualidade. Os tratamentos com proteção temporária com agrotêxtil não afetaram a produtividade total dos dois híbridos; todavia, a firmeza de polpa apresentou aumento crescente, enquanto a acidez total titulável, os açúcares solúveis totais, os sólidos solúveis e o pH apresentaram redução com o aumento do tempo de permanência do agrotêxtil sobre as plantas. O 'Caribbean Gold RZ', em comparação com o 'Acclaim', apresentou maior produtividade comercial para exportação, maior massa média de frutos, mais firmeza de polpa, maior acidez total titulável, maior teor de sólidos solúveis e menor pH.

The effect of transplanting date and covering on the growth and development of melon (Cucumis melo L.)

“…When the period of keeping melon plants under cover is extended, fruit yields may decline because pollinating insects have more difficulty gaining access to the flowers [26]. In the present study, the length of plant covering period did not affect yield levels, which is consistent with the findings by Santos et al [27] who reported that the length of melon plant covering period (18,21,24,27, and 30 days) did not significantly influence fruit yields. In turn, Ibarra-Jiménez et al [20] showed a significant increase in melon fruit yield following an extension of the cover application time.…”

“…In the current study, covering increased the average weight of melon fruit and the share of marketable yield in the total fruit yield. On the contrary, Santos et al [27] did not find an increase in fruit weight as a result of covering.…”

Use of colored agrotextiles and length of stay in the cultivation of yellow melons

“…Thus, the covering of the plants in the cultivation line with colored meshes can alter the physiological responses of the plants, modifying the production of photoassimilates and the source: drain off the plants. The length of stay of the agrotextile can also influence the development of the crop; Santos et al (2015), in a study with the culture of melon, observed that the treatments with the use of line cover influenced the firmness of the pulp and showed a linear increase of 35.2% compared to the control at 30 days, while the total acidity was titratable, soluble solids and total soluble sugars decreased 33.3, 8.9, and 42.1%, respectively, with the increase in the coverage time in the plants. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the melon production characteristics according to the association of the colored agrotextile and length of stay.…”

Energy balance partitioning and evapotranspiration from irrigated Muskmelon under Semi-Arid Conditions

“…Among the regions with these conditions stands out the Northeast region of Brazil, especially the Mossoró-Assu-Baraúna district, located on the northwest portion of the Rio Grande do Norte State (Medeiros et al 2012). This district is recognized by the intense production of horticulture under irrigated conditions and it is the largest muskmelon producer in Brazil, accounting for more than half of all domestic production (Medeiros et al 2011).…”