The effects of CO2 applied through irrigation water on melon crop in protected cultivation.

摘要

The artificial increase of CO2 concentration for obtaining products in greater quantity and with a better quality permit us to learn how plants adapt themselves to environments with high CO2 concentration. In this research, the CO2 assimilation rateand the productivity of melon crop (Cucumis melo cv. Valenciano Amarelo) were quantified, and the chemical characteristics of the fruits were evaluated at harvest. The study was carried out in greenhouse conditions with CO2 applied through irrigation water to determine its effects on melon crop production and CO2 assimilation rate. A trickle irrigation system was used. The dose of CO2 used was 50 kg ha-1 from transplanting to harvest. The CO2 application through irrigation water did not alter the meloncrop season, and it did not affect the chemical characteristics in the fruit such as soluble solids content, total acidity and pH. The highest yield (28.68 t ha-1) and CO2 assimilation rate were obtained with CO2 application.