Watermelon Production as Influenced by Lime, Gypsum, and Potassium

Abstract

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] were grown with three rates each of lime, gypsum, and K during two seasons to evaluate their effects on fruit production and mineral concentration. The first experimental site was a recently cleared Sparr fine sand with an initial water pH of 5.0 and Mehlich I extractable K of 8 mg·kg -1 (very low) and 20 mg·kg -1 Ca (very low). The second site was a virgin Pomona fine sand with a water pH of 4.8, 28 mg·kg -1 K (low), and 612 mg·kg -1 Ca (high). 'Crimson Sweet' fruit yields were reduced 10% with an increase in lime rate from 0 to 4.48 t·ha -1 in the first season. In the second season, lime rate had no effect on yield. In both seasons, fruit yields were reduced 14% with an increase in Ca from gypsum from 0 to 1.12 t·ha -1 . On the soil testing very low in K, yield increased with an increase in K rate from 90 to 224 kg·ha -1 with no lime or gypsum. On the soil testing low in K, greatest yields were obtained with 90 kg·ha -1 K with no lime and gypsum. Application of lime and gypsum increased Ca and decreased K in seedlings but not consistently in older leaf and fruit tissues. An increase in K application increased leaf K in the first season but not in the second. Fruit firmness and soluble solids content were not consistently affected by treatment during the two seasons. Thus, on soils low in toxic elements (Mn and Al) such as used in this study, watermelon will grow well and tolerate a wide range of soil pH values without additional Ca from lime or gypsum.

Impact of potassium nutrition on postharvest fruit quality: Melon (Cucumis melo L) case study

“…Glycine-complexed K, versus K 2 SO 4 , KCl, or KNO 3 from K fertilization. A review of published abstracts ( Hochmuth et al 1994), strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa; Albregts et al 1996), and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus; Locascio and Hochmuth 2002;PerkinsVeazie et al 2003)] stand out, because of their conclusions: there is 'little or no change' (i.e. improvement) from K fertilization on fruit quality.…”

Production of Low-Potassium Content Melon Through Hydroponic Nutrient Management Using Perlite Substrate

“…It was mentioned that these effects will depend on the mode of fertilization and source of potassium. While other studies found that potassium fertilization may have little or no influence on fruit qualities of cucumber, bell pepper, strawberry, and watermelon ( Hochmuth et al, 1994 ; Albregts et al, 1996 ; Locascio and Hochmuth, 2002 ; Perkins-Veazie et al, 2003 ; Umamaheswarappa and Krishnappa, 2004 ). Other studies showed that, potassium nitrate applied either in soil or as foliar during middle to late season, there were little or no improvements of marketable yield and nutritional qualities in muskmelon ( Jifon and Lester, 2009 ).…”

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“…As análises de regressão apresentadas na Figura 1 seguem um ajuste quadrático para o PTM e PCM, com pontos de máximo atingidos nas doses de 89,80 e 92,02 kg ha -1 de K2O, sendo as respectivas produtividades de 61,48 e 56,84 Mg ha -1 . Aumentos significativos na produção de melancia em função da adubação potássica também foram observados por Zeng e Jiang (1988), Simone et al (1992 e Locascio & Hochmuth (2002).…”