Assessingth Growth and Yield of Some Iranian Melons under Limited Water Condition

In order to evaluate the effect of water deficit stress on growth and fruit yield of some Iranian melons, the experiment was set out in a split plot design with three replicates in research filed of University of Zanjan. Treatments consisted arrangement of three irrigation levels (starting irrigation at 100, 66 and 33% ETc) and 11 accessions of Iranian melons (Khatouni, Kali, Orshang, Mouri, Mozi, Zarde-Paeize, Shirazi, Shiardar, Ezmir, Eyvanaki and Suski-e-Sabz). Results showed that irrigation treatment had a significant effect on plant length, fruits number per plant, fruit weight, leaf area, leaf dry matter, yield, total chlorophyll and carotenoids. The water deficit stress 33% ETc caused 1.9% increases of leaf dry matter and reduced 34.4 and 59.75% of fruit weight and yield, respectively. The lowest values of plant length, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, leaf area and the highest leaf dry matter was obtained in the sever water stress (start point of 33 ETc). Melon accessions showed significant differences in studied traits. The highest values of yield, fruit weight and total chlorophyll were obtained under 100% ETc irrigation in “Eyvanakei” and “Shiardar” respectively. According to the results, “Eyvanaki” and “Mozi” with highest (72.27%) and lowest (43.4%) reduction of yield under irrigation 33% ETc were sensitive and tolerance accession, respectively to the water deficit stress compared normal irrigation.