Production and Post-Harvest of Yellow Melon Under Irrigation Blades and Use of Biostimulant

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of irrigation levels and bio-stimulant doses on the production and post-harvest of the yellow melon variety Gladial F1, during different periods of the year. Theoretical Framework: Irrigation management combined with the use of bio-stimulants has been employed in various agricultural crops to enhance their agronomic performance. Thus, its application may represent a promising alternative for melon cultivation in semiarid regions of northeastern Brazil. Method: The experimental design used was randomized complete blocks with sub-subdivided plots. The main plots corresponded to four irrigation levels, the subplots to five doses of the bio-stimulant Stimulate, and the sub-subplots to different cultivation periods. The evaluated variables included total and commercial yield, average fruit weight, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, pulp firmness, and water use efficiency. Results and Discussion: Bio-stimulant doses of 2.4 and 0.6 L ha-1 resulted in higher total and commercial yields, with 17.59 and 16.47 t ha-1 during the warm period and 10.21 and 9.65 t ha-1 during the cold period, respectively. The dose of 4.8 L ha-1 provided greater pulp firmness, with values of 15.43% and 12.20% for the warm and cold periods, respectively. Research Implications: The results reinforce that the adoption of new technologies, combined with more efficient irrigation management, contributes to greater sustainability in melon cultivation in the Brazilian Semiarid region. Originality/Value: The use of bio-stimulants in conjunction with precision irrigation enhances water use efficiency in melon production, reducing the consumption of this precious natural resource in the Semiarid region of Brazil.