Effect of Saline Concentrations in Melon under Different Substrates in Hydroponic System

Abstract

The results show that the culture of the melon in hydroponic medium using different substrates, and increasing concentration of NaCl salts, indicated that when the electrical conductivity (EC) levels increases as 2.0; 5.0; 8.0 and 11.0 dS.m -1 , the melon growth was higher by 2.88 cm per day, with EC of 2 Sm -1 . Thereafter, decreases the growth rate of melon as 2.33, 1.77 and 1.23 cm per day, when EC's goes from 5, 8 and 11 dS.m-1, respectively. In addition, the substrates sand, coconut, respectively presented a growth rate of 2.33; 1.77 and 1.23 cm per day. The increase in salt concentration in the solution negatively influenced the morphology and color of the melon leaves. The substrates washed sand, coconut powder and Basaplant presented no significant difference in the effects on the melon culture. The substrate type did not influence the effect of the salt on the melon.

Reuse of Substrate in the Protected Cultivation of Muskmelon

“…Coconut shell fiber as a substrate for melon production has been studied in different areas of the agricultural sciences, such as salt concentration of the hydroponic solution (DIAS et al, 2011;MORAIS et al, 2018;CARVALHO et al, 2018), nitrogen to potassium ratio in the nutrient solution (NASCIMENTO; NASCIMENTO; CECÍLIO FILHO, 2020), concentration of macronutrients in the nutrient solution (COSME et al, 2017;GRATIERI et al, 2013), and analysis of plant growth (DIAS et al, 2015).…”