Effect of Different Irrigation Regimes at Pre-Harvest Stage on Yield, Fruit Quality and Water Use Efficiency of Two Iranian Melon Accessions

In order to investigate the effect of different irrigation regimes at the pre-harvest stage on yield and fruit quality of two Iranian melon accessions, a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2017 at Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, and University of Zanjan. Experimental treatments consisted of two melon accessions (Khatooni and Ivanaki) and three irrigation regimes (irrigation cut-off, 60% and 100 %ETc). Irrigation treatments were applied 15 days before harvesting. The results showed that irrigation regimes had significant effects on water use efficiency (WUE), fruit yield and quality. The highest plant yield (11.1 kg), fresh fruit percent (57.8%), and vitamin C content were obtained under 100% ETc treatment. The highest value of total soluble solid (TSS) was obtained in “Ivanaki” from the umbilicus part of the mesocarp (11.49%) under irrigation cut-off treatment and the lowest TSS (8.17%) was observed in the pedicel part of the mesocarp of “Khatooni” under 100% ETc irrigation. The highest value of WUE (51.16 kg.m-3) was achieved in “Ivanaki” under irrigation cut-off treatment. The amount of TSS decreased from umbilicus part to pedicel part of the mesocarp. Accessions had different yield and fruit quality and “Ivanaki” had higher yield, TSS and quality. According to the results, cut off irrigation treatment at the pre-harvest stage with 2.95% yield reduction improved fruit TSS and saved irrigation water.