Effects of drip irrigation scheduling on muskmelon yield and quality

The use of drip (trickle) irrigation for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) production has become commonplace but the impact of preharvest drip irrigation management on fruit yield and quality has not been well documented. The effects of drip irrigation regimes on the yield and quality of cv. Challenger, Mission and Vera Cruz were investigated at Davis, California in 1993 and 1994. All plots were irrigated uniformly until 10 days (1993) or 20 days (1991) before harvest; differential treatments were then imposed, ranging from a complete cutoff of irrigation to full irrigation (applied daily) through the harvest period. Fruit quality (firmness, seed cavity and mesocarp condition and soluble solids content) was evaluated at harvest, and after 7 or 14 days of refrigerated storage at 4 degrees C or 2 degrees C in 1993 and 1993, respectively. Drip irrigation management did not affect marketable yield, fruit size or % cull fruit. Ail irrigation treatments produced high quality fruit of equal soluble solids content. There were significant cultivar effects on both yield and quality, but no cultivar X irrigation interactions were noted. In this environment late-season irrigation was not detrimental to muskmelon quality but was not required for maximum productivity. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.