EFFECT OF PRUNING OF LATERAL BRANCHES IN THE QUALITY AND PRODUCTION OF MINI WATERMELON FRUITS IN NFT HIDROPONIC CULTIVATION

Abstract

The requirement of the consumer market for smaller watermelon fruit increases the need for studies of mini watermelon cultivation techniques such as hydroponics, protected cultivation, pruning and staking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of hybrid mini watermelon trained, pruned of lateral branches, grown in hydroponic NFT (Nutrient Film Technique). Two experiments were conducted (Exp. 1 and Exp. 2), differing in planting and pruning system, using Beni Kodama and Ki Kodama hybrids. Regarding pruning systems, in Exp.1 tested no pruning (a) and pruning of the side branches of the main stem to the fourth leaf (b) and eighth leaf (C); Exp.2 tested no pruning (a) and complete pruning of side branches of the main stem (b) or pruning to the fifth leaf (c). The experimental design was a randomized block design in split-split plots. Plant dry matter, fresh fruit mass, thickness of the epicarp, longitudinal and transversal diameters and pulp and soluble solids of the basal region, central and apex of the fruit were evaluated. The cultivar Beni Kodama stood out in the first planting to plant dry matter and soluble solids of the basal and central regions of the fruit. In the second planting, Beni Kodama with pruning of lateral branches had diameters less pulp than the other pruning. However, pruning did not affect fruit production of hybrid mini watermelon and fruit quality cultivar Beni Kodama produced tutored in hydroponics was superior to Ki Kodama.