EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON VARIOUS GROWTH-STAGES OF MUSKMELON-CV REVIGAL

Salt tolerance of muskmelon cv. Revigal was assessed during germination, seedling growth and growth in hydroponic culture. First, germination tests were conducted using four salinity treatments (0, 390, 780 and 1560 mS m-1). At the second stage, seedling growth was studied at salinities of 225,550,775 and 1000 mS m-1. Finally, the influence of salt on the size and organoleptic characteristics of fruit and on the content of various elements in the leaves was studied at salinity levels of 250, 500 and 750 mS m-1. Abilities of the seed to germinate and of the seedling to grow adequately were determined under saline conditions of up to 780 mS m-1 and 550 mS m-1, respectively. During the last stage, a slight decrement in yield was observed at 500 mS m-1 and fruit mean weight reached 82% of the control. Results suggest that this cultivar is moderately salt-tolerant and can be grown, in principle, at salinities of up to 500 mS m-1. An interesting relationship has been established between the influence of salinity on leaf area of the seedling and on the yield obtained during hydroponic culture; we are therefore proposing seedling leaf area as a major indicator of salt tolerance.