Shoot nutrient contents and vegetative melon plants growth at different pH levels of the nutrient solution

Abstract

Melon plants development are determined by nutrient availability in the nutrient solution which is markedly influenced by the solution pH. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of hydroponic nutrient solution pH on growth and mineral content of melon plants. The plants were growth in nutrient solution at five pH levels (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) in a completely randomized design with three replicates. At 40 days after transplanting were evaluated shoot and roots fresh and dry weight as well as the root volume. Leaf nutrients contents was also determined. It was concluded that it is essential to keep the nutrient solution pH at 6.0 in order to obtain plants with high leaf number, fresh and dry root mass, root volume and iron and zinc contents in the leaves.