Nitrogen promotes morfo-physiologic changes modifying plant growth and development. So, the appropriate management of this nutrient is important, especially under protected environment. The fruit yield and quality of two melon cultivars of the Cantalupensis group (Fleuron and Torreon) were evaluated using five N doses (0; 90; 180; 360 and 540 kg ha-1). A split splot scheme, in randomized blocks design, with four replications was used. The number and foliar area, fruit yield and quality were determined. 'Torreon', compared to 'Fleuron', presented higher leaf number, leaf area, fruit weight, total and commercial yield, fruit length and format index and also presented smaller fruit diameter. Increasing N rates promoted linear increment in the mesocarp thickness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity and lineal decrease in maturation index. The maximum estimated values were 46.6 leaves plant-1, 9364 cm² plant-1 leaf area, 1.3 fruits plant-1, 1083 g fruit-1, 46.50 and 43.73 t ha-1 of total and commercial yield; 15.2 cm of length, 13.3 cm of diameter, 6.1 cm of cavity diameter and 1.15 in the index of fruits format. These values were obtained, respectively, with N rates of: 337, 337, 305, 339, 287, 310, 364, 373, 322 and 359 kg ha-1.
Cucumis melo; mineral nutrition; yield; total soluble solids
