The effect of organic matter, irrigation handling and fertilization was evaluated on the yield of yellow melon. The experiment was carried out in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, from October to November 2001. The experimental design was of entirely randomized blocks with two replications, in the factorial 3 x 4 x +1. Three organic compositions (Ribumim®, integral composition® and organic manure) were studied in four levels (50; 100; 150 and 200% of the recommended doses) applied before sowing and one control (without organic matter), besides 3 irrigation and fertilizing managements in the experiments represented by areas A1, A2 and A3. The evaluated characteristics were: commercial fruits production, average mass of the commercial fruits, pulp firmness and total soluble solids. With the addition of organic matter occurred an increment of the commercial fruits yield on the areas A1 and a2, and firmness on Area A1, in spite of the higher quantity of fertilizer through fertirrigation, even though these areas produced less than Area A3, where the organic matter had no influence on the yield.
Cucumis melo L.; composition; yield; quality
