Effect of Planting Pattern on Yield and Fruit Quality of Two Varietiesof Melon (Cucumis melo L.) in Varamin

This study aimed at determining the most suitable spacing (plant and ridge) in the conventional melon cultivation in Varamin region in order to achieve higher yield and marketable fruits. The experiment was conducted as a strip split plot statistical design with three replications, in two years, at the Agricultural Research Center of Varamin, Iran. The main factor (vertical) included four plant spacing on rows (20, 40, 60, and 80 cm) which were applied randomly perpendicular to each block. The horizontal factor included two row distances (width of the ridge) of 1.5 and 3 m, which were implemented as strips across the blocks. The sub-factor included two varieties of melon (yellow melon of Eyvanekey and Khatoony of Mashhad). Two-year results from the statistical analysis of traits revealed that the studied cultivars had statistical differences in fruit yield and percentage of soluble solids of fruits. The Yellow Eyvanekey cultivar, with fruit yield of 38.7 ton/ha and 9.68% soluble solids, was superior to Khatoony cultivar. The highest fruit yield, percentage of soluble solids and average fruit weight for Eyvanekey cultivar was obtained in the planting pattern of 3×0.8 m. But for the Khatoony cultivar, the plant spacing could be reduced to 60 cm. Therefore, for this cultivar, the 3×0.6 m planting pattern is recommendable. In general, Eyvanekey cultivar was superior to Khatoony in terms of quantitative and qualitative traits related to fruit yield.