تأثیر عمق گوده‌های کاشت بر عملکرد و اجزاء عملکرد سه رقم هندوانه در شرایط دیم با آبیاری تکمیلی

To investigate the effect of depth of planting holes on yield and yield components of three cultivars of watermelon in dry land conditions, a two-year study (2006-2007) was carried out in Varamin Agricultural Research Center, using a split plot randomized complete blocks design in three replications. Three cultivars of watermelon (Mahbube, Charleston Gray and Sugar Baby) were assigned to main plots and three depths of planting holes (15, 20 and 25 cm) were assigned to sub plots. Higher fruit yields for three studied cultivars in 2006, compared with 2007, were obtained due, perhaps, to a more favorable rainfall conditions. Cultivar Mahbube fruit yield in the first and second years was found to be 22440 and 18680 kg ha-1 respectively, out-yielding the other varieties. The greatest total soluble solid content in the fruit (8.80° Brix) was recorded for cultivar Charleston Gary. Seed yield of cultivras Charleston Gray and Mahbube in the first year (254 and 256 kg ha-1) and second year (220 and 223 kg ha-1) of experiment were found to be the highest among the studied genotypes. The highest fruit yield (24890 and 20900 kg ha-1 in the first and second year, respectively) and also the highest seed yield (253 and 237 kg ha-1 in the first and second year, respectively) were belonged to planting holes of 25 cm. The results of this study showed that planting Mahbube's watermelon cultivar at a 25 cm depth in dryland conditions may lead to an acceptable fruit and seed yield.