Abstract

SOARES DA SILVA, Edgley et al. Agronomic characteristics of watermelon cultivars in conditions of Roraima cerrado, Brazil. Scientia Agropecuaria [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.3, pp.193-201. ISSN 2077-9917.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17268/sci.agropecu.2017.03.02.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of twelve watermelon cultivars produced under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the cerrado of Roraima. The experiment was developed at the Embrapa Roraima Experimental Water Field. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with four replications and six plants per plot. The treatments consisted of the cultivars: Combat, Conquista, Verena, Congo, Magnum, Electra, Santa Amelia, Explore, Emperor, Crimson Select Plus, Charleston Gray Super and Omaru Yamato. The productive, seed and fruit quality characteristics were evaluated. It was concluded that the edaphoclimatic conditions of the cerrado of Roraima favor the productive and qualitative characteristics of the fruits of the watermelon cultivars analyzed. The highest productivity was found in the Crimson Select Plus cultivar, with a mean of 67848.25 kg ha-1. The characteristics of seeds vary according to the cultivars, with the largest quantities found in 'Santa Amélia' and 'Explore' and greater mass in 'Charleston Gray Super'. Regarding fruit quality, there is no difference in soluble solids content among cultivars; however, the values found are relatively high (> 10 ºBrix). Crimson Select Plus, Santa Amélia and Explore cultivars present high potential for cultivation in the soil and climate conditions of cerrado de Roraima-Brazil. With the information obtained in this study, it allows the exploration of new cultivars, more productive and of superior quality, when compared to those currently cultivated in the region. New studies related to the subject must contemplate the acceptance of the consumer market for the cultivars with the greatest productive potential obtained.

Keywords : Northern Amazon; Citrullus lanatu; Productivity; Post-harvest.

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