This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic fertilizer on root and shoot growth in the melon as a function of accumulated growing degree days. An experiment was set up in pots, in a randomized block design, with four replications and a 2x6 factorial arrangement, corresponding to the presence and absence of organic fertilizer, and six sampling dates (7; 14; 21; 28; 35 and 42 days), giving a total of 48 plots. For each sample, the number of leaves (NL), leaf area (LA), root dry matter (RDM) and shoot dry matter (SDM) were determined. The absolute growth rate (AGR) differed for those traits analysed according to the type of fertilisation used and the presence of organic fertilizer, it was found that the caloric totals required to get the highest AGR were higher in those treatments that received no organic fertilizer.
Melon; Fertilizers and organic fertilizers; Growth (Plants)
