N:k Ratio for Phenological Growth Stages of Net Melon Cultivated in NFT Hydroponic System1

Abstract

The adequate ratio in the supply of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) for each phenological growth stage of melon is fundamental for its growth and development with the maximization of the dry mass partition between the vegetative and reproductive parts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of N and K concentrations in two phenological growth stages (vegetative and reproductive stage) of melon and obtain the best N:K ratio for each one. In the first stage, four concentrations of N (8, 11, 14 and 17 mmol L-1) and two concentrations of K (4 and 5 mmol L-1) were evaluated in a randomized block design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme with five replicates. In the second stage, in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, the combinations of the two concentrations of N that generated the best characteristics in the previous stage and two concentrations of K (4.5 and 9.0 mmol L-1) were evaluated. The increase of the N concentration in the vegetative stage promoted the increase of the N, P and S content of leaves and the reduction of K, Ca and Mg. Moreover, it increased the number of leaves, the height of the plant (vertically tutored) and the leaf area. Therefore, 17:5 mmol L-1 was considered as the best N:K ratio for the vegetative stage. In the second stage, there was no effect of N and K concentrations on leaf area, yield and fruit quality. So, 14:4.5 mmol L-1 was considered as the best N:K ratio for the reproductive stage.

Potassium nutrition as a strategy to mitigate salt stress in melon grown under protected cultivation

“…In a soil cultivation experiment, Oliveira et al (2020) did not observe a significant response from fruit quality traits. Nascimento et al (2020) described similar findings working with melon in hydroponics, where the K concentrations also did not affect the fruit size-related variables. In contrast, Gratieri et al (2013) analyzed the effect of N and K rates on melon grown in coconut fiber and found an increase in fruit weight as the K rates were increased, but the authors also noted that the K effect only occurred at high N rates.…”

“…In the literature, studies investigating potassium fertilization in melon have described different results regarding qualitative traits (e.g. fruit size and weight) in response to an increase in the K rate in the soil or in hydroponic cultivation (Oliveira, Silva, Medeiros, & Vieira, 2020;Nascimento, Nascimento, & Cecílio, 2020;Gratieri, Cecílio, Barbosa, & Pavani, 2013). Studies can be found on the application of K as a salt stress-mitigating agent in crops such as peanut (Chakraborty, Bhaduri, Meena, & Kalariya, 2016), eggplant (Santos et al, 2018) and bell pepper (R. C. P. Silva et al, 2020a).…”

Efficiency of nitrogen and potassium application on phytotechnical parameters and yield of melon

“…2020 http://dx.doi.org/ BJ-v36n0a2020-53595 in these treatments, which resulted in a reduction in the size and number of leaves, consequently reducing leaf area index and dry biomass accumulation. Colla, Suárez and Cardarelli (2010) and Nascimento, Nascimento and Cecílio Filho (2020) also found reduction of leaf area and dry biomass accumulation in melon plants under conditions of low N availability.…”

Enhancing Post-Mining Lands’ Value through Sustainable Melon Cultivation: A Hydroponic Approach

“…Every day it is checked to see if the seeds have sprouted (broken seeds) or not. The sign of shoots is the emergence of prospective roots (white-white) and the appearance of prospective leaves [5]. For 24 hours if the storage temperature is stable the seeds will germinate.…”