Carbon dioxide application through irrigation water at different crop stages in melon planted in greenhouse - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v27i4.1688

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the effect of CO₂ applied at different crop stages through water by a subsurface drip irrigation system, at the yield and quality of cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L. var. Reticulatus), hybrid Bônus II, cultivated in greenhouse. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four treatments and four replications. There was no application of CO₂ and there was application of one CO₂ single rate during 2 days in 3 different periods of the crop stage. There were 12 CO₂ applications in T1, 6 in T2 and 6 in T3. The total amount of CO₂ applied at each treatment was measured in each application and at the end of the crop cycle. There were 12 CO₂ applications in treatment T1 (11.85 kg ha^-1 of CO₂), 6 applications in T2 (11.85 kg ha^-1 of CO₂) and 6 applications in T3 (11.65 kg ha^-1 of CO₂). There was no application of CO₂ in treatment T4. Results showed that (a) CO₂ application through irrigation water for the fruiting provided yield increases; (b) CO₂ applications during flowering and fruiting initiation are, technically, the most recommended; (c) CO₂ application did not change the vegetative growth of the plants, neither the quality of the fruit regarding the flesh pH and the soluble solids content. However, the total acidity increased, and (d) CO₂ application increased the water usage efficiency.