Characteristics of watermelon fruits under different fertilization management in semi-arid climate conditions / Características de frutos de melancia sob diferentes manejos de adubação em condições de clima semiárido

This study was conducted to evaluate the production and quality of watermelon fruits, submitted to different doses of potassium chloride (KCl) in fertigation and conventional fertilization systems. Talisman F1 was used as a plant material. It was carried out in a randomized complete block design, in a 2x4 split-plot scheme, with four replications. In the plots, the conventional and fertigation systems were tested and in the subplots the doses of KCl, equals: 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1 of K2O were tested. Seventy days after planting, were determined: total number of fruits; average weight of total fruits; total fruit production; average number of commercial fruits; average weight of commercial fruits and commercial fruit production, as well the hydrogenic potential (pH), total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA) and TSS/TTA ratio. There was interaction between fertilization systems and K2O rates for commercial productivity with a linear increase under fertigation, which, in turn, increased TTA. 180 kg ha-1 of K2O in a conventional fertilization system, confirm possible metabolic changes not conducive to the cultivation and production of 'Talisman F1' watermelon. The fertilization system by fertigation represents an alternative for the cultivation of watermelon, considering the productivity and quality of fruits.