Production, water-use efficiency and post-harvest quality of hydroponic mini watermelon under salinity stress1

ABSTRACT Irregularity or shortage of rainfall in semi-arid regions forces farmers to use low-quality water irrigate crops. The present study aimed assess the water-use efficiency and post-harvest quality ‘Sugar Baby’ mini watermelon response different electrical conductivities nutrient solution [2.5 (control), 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 6.5 dS m-1], a floating hydroponic system. experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates. consumption, production were evaluated, as well qualitative physico-chemical variables fruits. total consumption plants during crop cycle varied between 43 (6.5 m-1) 54 (2.5 L plant-1 among treatments, 0.031 kg L-1. greatest reductions due salinity observed for rind thickness fruit mass (8.80 5.69 %, respectively, per unit increase m-1). did not influence soluble solids content maturity index, but it had negative effect on pH titratable acidity.