CYTOKININ AND AUXIN INFLUENCE ON GROWTH AND QUALITY OF WATERMELON IRRIGATED WITH SALINE WATER

ABSTRACT Watermelon has great economic relevance, but edaphoclimatic factors and inadequate management have favored the salinization of water used for irrigation, which is a limiting factor growth production crop. However, it considered that use regulators belonging to group cytokinins auxins may contribute development yield crops, even under adverse conditions such as salinity. Thus, objective was evaluate influence cytokinin auxin proportions on quality watermelon irrigated with saline water. The experimental design completely randomized, four replicates 5 x 2 factorial, referring five (0/100; 25/75; 50/50; 75/25 100/0%) corresponding concentrations 1.0 10.0 mg L−1 forchlorfenuron (CPPU)/ indoleacetic acid (IAA), two salinity levels, one composed without adding salt (0.3 dS m-1) other 2.0 m−1 electrical conductivity. influenced subjected in irrigation 25/75% (CPPU/IAA) proportion smaller decreases leaf area total dry mass condition m−1. For fresh fruit mass, 75/25% reductions. Fruit firmness soluble solids were by 25/75 50/50% at EC Acidity only between conductivity levels.