The effect of saline water on quantitative and qulaitive charactristics of melon genotypes

Abstarct Currently, development salt tolerant cultivars is one of the most effective methods to increase efficiency of saline soils and water resources in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. In this regard, the effect of saline water (6.2 and 12 dS m-1) was investigated on yield and qualitative characteristics of 9 commercial melon genotypes (Daregazy, Khaghani, Ghasri, Jafarabady, Bandi, Chahpaliz, Honydew, Ananas melon and Abbas shuri) in Abbas-Abad Research Station in 2006 and 2007. The maximum (18.56 ton ha-1) and minimum (8.55 ton ha-1) fruit yields were obtained from Jafarabady and Daregazy genotypes irrigated with 6.2 dS m-1 saline water, respectively. Daregazy and Abbas shuri showed the maximum (15.67%) and minimum (11.17%) sugar percentage, respectively. Although melon genotypes responded to salinity in different ways, fruit yield decreased with increasing salinity level in all genotypes. When melon genotypes were irrigated with 12 dS m-1 saline water, the maximum (8.71 ton ha-1) and minimum (5.56 ton ha-1) fruit yields were obtained from Jafarabady and Daregazy, respectively, suggesting that these genotypes are the most salt tolerant and salt sensitive genotypes in term of fruit yield. Sugar percentage in Daregazy, Jafarabady, Bandi and Ananas melon genotypes decreased with increasing salinity level, whereas sugar percentage increased in Khaghani, Ghasri, Chahpaliz, Honydew and Abbas shuri genotypes.