Synchrony of yield of melons as affected by plant type and density

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Abstract
Two closely related muskmelon hybrids, ‘Galia’ and ‘D72’, the former a widely grown vine-type cultivar and the latter an experimental hybrid derived from a birdsnest-type muskmelon plant introduction, were compared for synchrony of yield in plant density trials at Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A. and at Newe Ya’ar, Israel. Plant densities employed at the former location were 10, 20 and 30 thousand plants ha−1 and at the latter location 5, 10, 20 and 40 thousand plants ha−1. On a land-area basis, ‘D72’ and ‘Galia’ produced similar total yields but the fruits of ‘D72’ were smaller and more numerous than those of Galia. Yield was not significantly affected by density in Florida, but in Israel, fruit number and yield per unit land area increased as the density increased. Fruit size decreased with increased planting density. Synchrony of yield, that is, the concentration of yield over time, was calculated as a weighted numerical index and as the percentage of the total yield harvested during the peak three-consecutive harvest period, for each respective combination of hybrid and density. ‘D72’ produced a more concentrated yield over time than did ‘Galia’ regardless of location and whether concentration was calculated on an index or percentage basis. Concentration was not appreciably affected by density at either location. The greatest production during the peak three-consecutive harvest period, 21.6 and 28.9 t ha−1, in Florida and in Israel, respectively, was obtained from ‘D7’—20 thousand plants ha−1 at the former location and from ‘D72’—40 thousand plants ha−1 at the latter location.

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