PHYSYIOLOGICAL ASPECS OF VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF MELON (CUCUMIS MELO L.) ON VARIOUS AIR SALINITY AND FOLIAR FLUSHING VOLUME IN COASTAL SANDY SOIL

Abstract

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) has good economic prospects in Indonesia but is still faced with low production continuity due to productivity in coastal areas related to the specific agro-climate of strong salinity winds in certain seasons. This study aims to explain the physiological aspects of vegetative growth of melon plants at various air salinities, flushing volumes, and the interaction between air salinity and leaf flushing volume. The study was conducted using a Split Plot Design with air salinity as the main plot consisting of 0, 12, and 24 mS/cm and flushing volumes as subplots consisting of 0, 3.5, and 7 mm. The results showed that 0 mS/cm salinity produced the highest vegetative chlorophyll content (16.91 mg/L). The 7 mm flushing volume produced the highest number of leaves (11.5 leaves), fresh plant weight (70 g), and vegetative chlorophyll content (16.97 mg/L). An air salinity of 0 mS/cm and a flushing volume of 7 mm resulted in a high number of branches (14.33 branches), a high vegetative stomatal density (234 stomata/mm2), and a high number of flowers (2.33 flowers). The highest root fresh weight, 2.81 g, occurred at a salinity of 24 mS/cm and a flushing volume of 3.5 mm. A salinity of 12 mS/cm with a flushing volume of 7 mm resulted in the highest vegetative proline content, 24.24 µmol/g.