EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PLANT DENSITIES ON THE FRUIT YIELD AND SOME RELATED PARAMETERS AND STORAGE LOSSES OF FODDER WATERMELON (Citrillus lanatus var. citroides) FRUITS

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to determine the effect of different plant densities (4762, 7143, 9524, 14286, 28571 plants ha-1 ) on the fruit yield and some other yield components of fodder watermelon under typical Mediterranean climate conditions during summer period of 2012 and 2013. Results indicated that average number of fruit per plant increased by decreasing plant densities but not single fruit weight and soluble solid content. It was suggested that 9524 plants ha-1 (210x50cm) of fodder watermelon was the most successful crop density regarding the total fruit yield (189 t ha-1 ). It was also concluded that fodder watermelon fruits can be easily stored 210 days with 24% weight loss without any rot.