Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Responses to Water Stress in Melon (Cucumis melo) Subjected to Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) and Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD)

In this study, the impact of two water-saving techniques, Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) and Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD) was investigated by comparing their impact on the behavior of three melon varieties (Cucumis melo), Galia, Jucar, and DRG. The morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses to the deficit irrigation systems were considered. The results show that both PRD and RDI constraints increase the plants water-use efficiency without impairing plants’ vegetative growth. These treatments reduced the leaf water content and the stomatal conductance without any significant leaf expansion under the water restriction pressure. An increase in the peroxidase activity was recorded under both treatments without having any influence on the activity of polyphenol oxidase. Besides, the application of both treatments had no significant effect on phenolic compounds compared to the well-watered plants. PRD-treated Galia plants had better results. These results provide useful knowledge on efficient irrigation and water management systems for melon fruit tree cultivation, in particular in a water-limited environment. © 2018, Korean Society of Crop Science (KSCS) and Springer Nature B.V.