Alterações físico-químicas em frutos de melão rendilhado sob aplicação de bioestimulante

The high market value of muskmelon fruit fosters new technologies for its production, aimed at improving plant quality and postharvest technological qualities. The use of commercial biostimulants was explored. This study aimed to analyze the action of biostimulant concentrations applied directly on Cantaloupe melon fruits on different characteristics. The biostimulant was applied at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mL L -1 ) when the fruits were smaller than or equal to one (1) cm in diameter. At harvest time, the fruits' weight (g), peel thickness (mm), mesocarp (mm) and green mesocarp halo (mm), soluble solids (°Brix) and ratio of longitudinal and transversal circumferences were evaluated. The application of increasing concentrations of biostimulant, up to the maximum dose of 20 mL L -1 , directly on the fruits increased the soluble solids content to up to 11.5 °Brix. Therefore, biostimulant concentrations of up to 20 mL L -1 are recommended for applications directly on melon fruits in the initial stage of development.