<![CDATA[Shoot pruning (topping) is a key technique in melon (Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa Makino) cultivation to optimize source-sink balance by suppressing apical dominance, yet its effectiveness is highly dependent on pruning time and node position. This study evaluated the interaction and independent effects of pruning time and node position on the growth and yield of Chamoe melon grown in a smart greenhouse. A Completely Randomized Factorial Design was applied at the Korean Smart Greenhouse, BBPP Ketindan, Malang (September–December 2025), with two pruning times (33 and 40 DAT) and three node positions (17th, 20th, and 23rd above the fruit), comprising six treatment combinations and four replications. Parameters included leaf area, fruit sweetness, fruit diameter, fresh fruit weight, moisture content, and organoleptic quality (aroma, texture, taste), analyzed by ANOVA and HSD test at 5%. Significant interactions were found for leaf area and fresh fruit weight: pruning at 33 DAT on the 20th node produced the highest leaf area (176.47 cm²), while pruning at 40 DAT on the 20th node yielded the highest fresh fruit weight (632.81 g fruit⁻¹). Fruit sweetness showed no significant interaction, but was independently affected by both factors: pruning at 40 DAT produced the highest sweetness (10.90 °Brix), and pruning at the 20th node produced the highest sweetness (11.47 °Brix). Pruning time significantly affected taste preference, with 40 DAT yielding higher scores, whereas fruit diameter, moisture content, aroma, and texture showed no significant differences among treatments.]]>
