The use of saline water for irrigation is very common in cultivation of melon in semiarid zones, which can result in the soil salinization if irrigation management is not appropriate. The growth and accumulation of N, P and K by melon (Cucumis melo, L.) irrigated with saline water was evaluated. Treatments resulted from the combination of the factors irrigation water salinity levels (1.1; 2.5 and 4.5 dS m-1) and melon materials (hybrid Trusty and cultivar Orange Flesh). Treatments were arranged following a completely randomized block design with four replications, arranged in 3 x 2 factorial. Another factor analyzed was time of sampling and results were interpreted by multivariate analysis. Plants were divided into two portions after sampling (leaves plus stems and fruit), and dry matter, N, P and K contents were determined. Nutrient accumulation in fruits and plant growth decreased with increasing water salinity. On average, 57.1%, 67.1% and 70.0% of N, P and K absorbed by plant were allocated in fruits, showing that fruits are the main drain for these nutrients in melon.
dry matter; N, P and K uptake; Cucumis melo L
