EFFECT OF IBA APPLICATION BY FERTIGATION ON MELON IN SOILLESS CULTURE

     Hormones play an important role in the physiological processes, which take place in a plant. Auxins are directly involved in plant growth through specific physiological responses such as cellular elongation and division. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the effect of IBA 0.4 % (Exuberone)^® at rates of 0.5 and 1.0 L ha^-1 in the response of melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Yucatán). The study was carried out in a high tunnel greenhouse, located in the University of Almeria installations, Spain. The design was randomized complete-block. Plants were transplanted the 7th of March 2002. The substrate used was perlite in bags of 15 L. Fruit number, weight and yield; fruit quality, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, dry matter; the root weight, volume and dry matter; also the water use efficiency, as well as the parameters of fertirrigation, water consumption and the emission of nitrates and phosphates were analyzed. The results indicate that the use of IBA 0.4 % (Exuberone)^® is not an effective tool to improve yield and water and nutrient relations in commercial melon crops.

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