ISHS Acta Horticulturae 247: Research and Development Conference on Vegetables, the Market and the Producer
ROCKMELON IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT FOR MARKET QUALITY |
| Authors: | S.A. Warriner, R.D. Henderson |
| Abstract:
In an experiment on drip and sprinkler irrigation using the rockmelon (Cucumis melo) cultivar Planters Jumbo, irrigations were applied when soil matric potentials (measured by tensiometers) reached a pre-determined level of -15 cb or -40 cb for sprinklers, and -15 cb for drip irrigation. Total rockmelon yield (per metre of row) was not affected by irrigation treatment. Highest marketable yield was obtained using drip irrigation due to a lower percentage of reject (cracked, blemished or undersized) fruit. Marketable yields for the drip irrigation treatment were 15 % and 28 % higher than the sprinkler treatments irrigated at -15 cb and -40 cb respectively. Harvest commenced and peaked ten days earlier using drip irrigation compared with sprinkler irrigation treatments. Degree Brix of juice (measured by refractometer) and flesh firmness (measured by penetrometer) were not affected by irrigation treatment. | |
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