Influência dos plásticos biodegradáveis na produtividade, precocidade e qualidade do melão "Lusitano" (Cucumis melo var. inodorus)

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaThe main goal of this study was comparing traditional low density black polyethylene plastic mulch (25μm) with three different starch based biodegradable mulch films (15μm), on a muskmelon “Lusitano” (Cucumis melo var. inodorus). The mulch film layout and crop plantation, soil temperature and humidity, weeds, canopy spread area, flowering and yield and crop quality were monitored. The field trial was conducted in Azeitada – Almeirim (from April to July 2011) with a completely randomized experimental design with three replications, 25 plants each. The mulch films modalities were: PE (control), BMF1 (black biodegradable plastic film Mater-Bi®-CF04P); BMF2 (black biodegradable plastic film Mater-Bi®-CF04P with recycled material) and BMFV (green biodegradable plastic film Mater-Bi®-CF04P). The results showed the adaptability of biodegradable mulch films to climatic conditions and traditional techniques applied, not observing significant differences in fruit quality and production. Regarding the soil water content the BMF1 showed higher values when compared with BMFV, as well as BMFV compared with PE. The soil temperatures were similar in all the modalities and PE and BMFV had precocious flowering and production. A positive correlation between initial growth (36DAT) and the soil growing degree-days (temperature 10ºC) accumulated was obtained, and also between initial growth and final yield