Nitrogen Treatments for Greenhouse Galia Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) Grown in Soilless Media

Juan C. Rodriguez and Daniel J. Cantliffe

Galia muskmelons, produced in Spain, Turkey, Morocco, and Israel and exported to Europe, have been a high priced staple in Europe for 25 years. Extensive research has been carried out on the nitrogen requirements for growing Galia melons in soil and protected culture systems, but very little research has been conducted for growing Galia under soilless culture in the greenhouse. Galia melon production in soil relies on the technique of alternating nitrogen levels (increasing then decreasing) throughout the season. The present experiment evaluated yield and fruit quality from plants grown at 4 different nitrogen levels (120, 160, and 200 ppm) supplied continuously throughout the growing season each time the plants were irrigated and the standard recommended practice of altering N at 120 ppm (14 days; from transplant), 200 ppm N (60 days; vegetative stage to fruit maturation) and a reduction to 160 ppm N (45 days; maturation to harvest), during the growing season. Plants were grown in polyethylene bags filled with a medium grade of perlite (3 plants per bag). Early and total yields, as fruit per plant and fruit quality (as soluble solids) were similar regardless of N treatment. Total fruit weight per plant was greater in the 200 ppm treatment than those from the other three N treatments. Using a constant fertility level (120, 160 or 200 ppm N) may be a more favorable type of system for growing Galia melons in soilless media, instead of the standard recommended practice of alternating N throughout the growing season.