The experiment was carried out using hidroponic solution (NFT) from June to November-2001, in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. The 'Bonus nº 2' was cultivated in randomized blocks design, with split-plot scheme and six replications. Fruit number per plant (2; 3; 4 and free) and potassium concentration in the nutrient solution (66; 115.5; 165 e 247.5 mg L-1) were the studied factors. At harvests [105 to 133 days after transplant (DAT)], 2.0; 2.5; 2.7 and 2.3 fruits per plant were obtained, whereas at 85 DAT, 2; 3; 4 and 6.2 fruits had been set, respectively. Increasing potassium concentration in the nutrient solution improved initially fruit set and contributed later to reduce the fruit aborting in plants. Also the potassium promoted increase in second fruit weight. Yield and fruit weight were not influenced by potassium concentration in the nutrient solution over 66 mg L-1. The number of fruits per plant affected yield and fruit weight promoting, respectively, increase and decrease in proportion to the higher number of fruits per plant.
Cucumis melo var. reticulatus; fruit set; nutrition; soilless culture
