Impact of Nitrogen Fertigation on Watermelon Yield Grown on the Very Light Soil in Poland

Abstract

The effect of nitrogen fertigation of two watermelon cultivars grown on the very light soil in the central part of Poland, during 2012–2014, was evaluated. The field experimental design was a split-plot with four replications. The main plot was the drip fertigation with nitrogen applied in two combinations: drip irrigation + broadcasted nitrogen fertilization (DI) used as a control, and drip irrigation + fertigation with nitrogen (DF); where, two cultivars: Bingo and Sugar Baby were used as a split-plot. The phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied pre plant in the spring, whereas, three rates of 40 kg ha−1 of nitrogen fertilizer were applied during the growing season. The fertigation was performed using a proportional mixing dispenser. The ripened fruits were harvested progressively as they mature. The marketable fruit yield, the single fruit weight and the number of fruits per plant, were evaluated. Tested factors presented a significant effect in the yield characteristics, further the interaction among the factors was important. DF, comparing to DI, notably improved fruit traits. Bingo cultivar had higher yield than Sugar Baby, but Sugar Baby cultivar produced more fruits than the Bingo under the DF treatment. This study provides the evidence that on a very light soil with low water and nutrients retention capacity the performance of watermelon can be optimized when nitrogen is applied directly through drip irrigation.

Requirements and Effects of Surface Drip Irrigation of Mid-Early Potato Cultivar Courage on a Very Light Soil in Central Poland

“…At the same time, it is the friendliest to plants and the ecosystem [7,8,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Irrigation is most effective in light and very light soils [8,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. Taking into account the high productivity of the potato, it is one of the most effective plant species in terms of using water for yield accumulation [26].…”

Effect of Drip Fertigation with Nitrogen on Yield and Nutritive Value of Melon Cultivated on a Very Light Soil

“…Some studies have previously confirmed the beneficial effect of irrigation combined with fertilization on the development of plants of the Cucurbitaceae family during cultivation on light soils. The marketable yield of watermelon grown on light soil in Central Poland under the influence of irrigation combined with nitrogen fertilization increased by an average of 21% [23]. In addition, in the cultivation of watermelon performed in semi-arid regions of Brazil, on the sandy soil with low retention capacity of water and low nutrient levels, the authors reported a significant effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertigation on the plant growth, increasing the yield by 64% [37].…”

“…The field experiment involving the drip fertigation of two melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars, namely Melba and Seledyn, was conducted in Kruszyn Krajeński near Bydgoszcz 53 • 04 53 N, 17 • 51 52 E (Central Poland). The area has precipitation deficits, an extremely unfavorable water balance, and high frequency of long periods without rainfall [19,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. The study was carried out in the years 2013-2015.…”

“…Drip fertigation ensures precise administration of appropriate amounts of nutrients directly to the root zone. Accurate and uniform application of macro-and micronutrients adequately meets the needs of crops during the growing season [21][22][23].…”

Estimation of Watermelon Nutrient Requirements Based on the QUEFTS Model

“…The fruit yield of watermelon ranged from 6.48 t/ha to 99.1 t/ha, with an average of 46.7 t/ha (Table 4). The reason for these significant differences was the diversity of watermelon varieties, climate, and field management [50,51]. The average fruit yield in this study area was higher than the 41.7 t/ha in the whole China, and much higher than the world yield of 32.1 t/ha in 2018 [4].…”