Effects of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertigation on Growth, Yield and Quality of Musk Melon (Cucumis melo. L)
2009
Rhee, H.C., Protected Horticulture Experiment Station, NIHHS, RDA, Busan, Republic of Korea | Park, J.M., Protected Horticulture Experiment Station, NIHHS, RDA, Busan, Republic of Korea | Seo, T.C., Protected Horticulture Experiment Station, NIHHS, RDA, Busan, Republic of Korea | Choi, G.L., Protected Horticulture Experiment Station, NIHHS, RDA, Busan, Republic of Korea | Roh, M.Y., Protected Horticulture Experiment Station, NIHHS, RDA, Busan, Republic of Korea | Cho, M.W., Protected Horticulture Experiment Station, NIHHS, RDA, Busan, Republic of Korea
This study was conducted to identify optimal concentrations of N (nitrogen) and K (Potassium) fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of melon (Cucumis melo. L) when they were grown with a fertigation culture in a greenhouse. Three strength (S) levels of fertilizers, including 1S, 1/2S, and 1/4S were supplied N and K nutrients as using a trickle irrigation system. When the strength level of fertilizers was increased from 1/4S to 1S, the level of EC (electronic conductivity) in soil was increased. Soil-water tension was ranged between -15 and -20kPa until fruit setting stage, whereas it was ranged between -45 and -50kPa in the later growth stages. In results, N fertilizer had effects on fruit yield and quality. A higher fruit yield was observed when plants were supplied with 1S and 1/2S level of N fertilizer. The highest yield of marketable fruit, about 5,086kg/10a, was also observed when plants were supplied with 1/2S N fertilizer. A higher net index and sugar content of fruit was observed in the treatments of 1/2S and 1/4S level of N fertilizer compared to 1S level. In contrast, there was no statistic difference in the yield and quality with three levels of K fertilizer. Results indicate that the 1/2S level for N and 1/4S level for K fertilizer are effective and optimal for the melon plants grown under the fertigation culture in terms of increasing fruit yield and quality and reducing the cost of fertilizers.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Korea Agricultural Science Digital Library