Abstract:

【Objective】 Melon is one of the major cash crops in the Oasis arid region of Northwest China. The alternative of high water and fertilizer use efficiency can be obtained by investigating the effect of water and fertilizer application on melon water use and quality with different furrow irrigations. 【Method】 Field experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 at Shiyanghe experimental station for water-saving in agriculture and ecology of China Agricultural University, situated in Wuwei city, Gansu province. Three irrigation lower limits with values of 65%-70%, 55%-60%, and 45%-50% of field capacity (FC) were designed in fruit swelling period. In the experimental plots nitrogen fertilizer was applied at the rates of 160 kgN?hm-2, 120 kgN?hm-2, 80 kgN?hm-2, and no N fertilizer was applied in the control treatment plots. Water was applied to the field with conventional and alternate-furrow irrigation. 【Result】 Results indicated that appropriate water stress in fruit swelling period increased water use efficiency (WUE) and improved fruit quality of melon. For the same fertilizer application rate, the treatment with irrigation lower limit of 55%-60% FC had higher WUE, total soluble solid content and vitamin C content of melon fruit compared to the treatment with irrigation lower limit of 65%-70% FC. For the same irrigation level, the treatment with 120 kgN?hm-2 nitrogen application had higher yield, WUE, total soluble solid content and vitamin C content of melon fruit compared to the treatment of 160 kgN?hm-2 and 80 kgN?hm-2, nitrogen application. The WUE of the alternate-furrow irrigation was 4.5%-10.6% higher than the conventional furrow irrigation. 【Conclusion】 The alternative with irrigation lower limit level of 55%-60% FC in the fruit swelling period and nitrogen application rate of 120 kgN?hm-2 is the best water and fertilizer management practice for melon in the experimental area.

Key words: furrow irrigation, melon, water use efficiency, fruit quality