Initial Growth of Melon Plant in Different Substrates and Salt Waters

Aim: Was aimed at to evaluate the initial growth of the melon plant under saline conditions in different types of substrates.

Place of Study: The work was accomplished in the Federal University of Campina Grande in Pombal, Paraíba in Brazil.

Methodology: Four proportions of substrates were used: S1 (100% Commercial Substrate Carolina Soil ® — SCC); S2 (50% of SCC and 50% of Sand); S3 (50% of SCC and 50% of Soil) and S4 (33,33% of SCC + 33,33% of Sand + 33,33% of Soil), and five levels of electric conductivity: T1 (0,3 dS m-¹); T2 (1,2 dS m-¹); T3 (2,2 dS m-¹); T4 (3,2 dS m-¹) and T5 (4,2 dS m-¹). The length of plantules was evaluated (aerial and root), stem diameter, number of leaves, mass dries (aerial, root and total), biomass production and index of tolerance.

Results: All the variables presented significant effect demonstrating that the appraised factors interfere simultaneously in the appraised characteristics.

Conclusion: In the conditions of the referred study, the salinity in the irrigation water interferes negatively in the initial growth of melon plant plantules. The formulation of composed substrate for the mixture of the commercial substrate Carolina Soil® with soil (50% of both) it was shown efficient in the initial growth of the melon plant to cultivate 'Amarelo Ouro' under conditions of saline stress.