Author(s): VIEIRA, D. A.; MESQUITA, A. C.; MARINHO, L. B.; SOUZA, V. de; AIDAR, S. de T.; CARVALHO, M. M. P.

Summary: The current scenario of increased water scarcity is due to climate change and directly affects food production. It is thus necessary to develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of low water availability. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to evaluate the physiological behaviour of melon cultivars under water stress. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in the experimental Submedium region of the São Francisco River Valley in the period ranging from October to December. In this study, we used the melon cultivars 'Amarelo' and 'Piel de Sapo'. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replicates that were subdivided into plots, where the plots were comprised of four irrigation rates (50, 75, 100, and 125% of crop vapotranspiration ? CET), subplots were comprised of the two melon cultivars, and sub-subplots were comprised of samplings for physiological analyses (15, 30, and 45 days after transplanting). The parameters evaluated were stomatal conductance, transpiration, net photosynthesis, relationship CI/CA, and accumulated dry matter. Water stress reduced the stomatal conductance, transpiration, net photosynthesis, CI/CA, and accumulated dry matter. 'Piel de Sapo' showed a higher photosynthetic adjustment than 'Amarelo' melon due to the gas exchange behaviour of the former, and it was, therefore, more tolerant to water stress.

Publication year: 2019

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Semi-arid Region

Keywords: Cucumis Melo, Dry matter content, Estresse hídrico, Matéria Seca, Melão, Trocas gasosa, Vale do São Francisco