Effects of Different Planting Densities on Growth, Yield and Quality of Mini-watermelon under Soilless Cultivation

[Objective] The paper was to study the effects of different plant densities on growth, yield and quality of mini-watermelon under soilless cultivation. [Method] Five planting densities were designed under double row planting with one main vine and one lateral vein in soilless cultiva-tion, including 5.25 ×10~4, 3.90 ×10~4, 3.15 ×10~4, 2.70 ×10~4 and 2.25 ×10~4 plants/hm~2. [Conclusion] Under the planting density of 3.15 ×10~4 plants/hm~2, the yield of mini-watermelon was the highest of 58.719 t/hm~2; the yield of plot was the highest of 260.97 kg; the central sugar content was the highest of 13.20%; the earliest date of harvest was June 1, ranking second; the fruit setting rate was 108.9%; the single fruit weight was 1.72 kg;and the malformed fruit rate was 0.48%. [Conclusion] Under soilless cultivation, 3.15×10~4 plants/hm~2 is the best planting density.