Changes in some seedling growth parameters, nutrient content and enzyme activity in different melon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes under deficit irrigation conditions

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Increasing need for drought adaptation measures to conserve water and sustain crop yield in water-scarce regions is driven by severe and recurrent droughts. Achieving sustainable production entails studying deficit irrigation as a means to enhance water productivity and selecting genotypes resilient to soil water deficits. In the present study, 17 different melon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes collected from the Van Lake Basin and 3 hybrids and 1 standard melon cultivar for control purposes were used for this purpose. The study was carried out under climate room conditions. Two different irrigation levels (I100: 100% full irrigation, I50: 50% Deficit Irrigation-DI) were applied in the study for deficit irrigation. Water applications started with the emergence of the second true leaf of the plants and, after one-month, different growth, nutrient, and enzyme contents of the seedlings were determined. In general, it was determined that deficit water application negatively affected seedling growth, and root dry matter, stomatal opening and density, potassium, APX and SOD enzymes, and MDA content increased, while the other tested parameters decreased. The melon genotypes of the Van Lake Basin were found to vary in response to deficit irrigation treatments.