Flowering, Vegetative Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality in Muskmelons under Saline Conditions

Abstract
The muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars Topmark, Galia, No. 1, and BG-84-3 (BG) were examined in a field test for the influence of increased salt concentration (700, 2500, 5000, 7500, and 10,000 ppm) on flower production, vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality. Increased salinity did not affect the number or timing of staminate and pistillate flowers produced. Increased salinity significantly and to the same extent reduced vegetative growth in the four cultivars. Increased salinity did not affect the number of fruit produced in the four cultivars but reduced mean fruit weight in three. Mean fruit weight and yield of `BG' were not reduced; i.e., `BG' was salt tolerant. Increased salinity increased the soluble solids concentration and slightly improved fruit appearance of all cultivars.

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