Improving the Quality Attributes of Melons through Modified Mineral Nutrition Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The effects of six foliar K sources: potassium chloride (KCl), potassium nitrate (KNO3), monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO 4), potassium sulfate (K2SO4), potassium thiosulfate (K2S2O3), and a glycine amino acid-complexed K (Potassium Metalosate, KM) were evaluated on field-grown muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cv. 'Cruiser') fruit quality parameters. Weekly foliar K treatments were established starting at fruit set and continuing to fruit maturity. Tissue K concentrations, soluble solids concentrations (SSC), total sugars, and the human wellness compounds ascorbic acid and -carotene were generally higher in plants receiving supplemental foliar K than in the control plants. Significant differences were observed among K sources, with KNO3 consistently resulting in poor fruit quality compared to fruit treated with the other K sources. Although there were no consistent trends among the other foliar K sources, the data is consistent with previous controlled environment research findings that supplementing soil K supply with foliar K applications during fruit development and maturation can improve the marketable and human health quality attributes of muskmelon fruit.

published proceedings

  • II INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: FAVHEALTH 2007

author list (cited authors)

  • Jifon, J., Lester, G., Crosby, K., & Leskovar, D.

citation count

  • 1

complete list of authors

  • Jifon, J||Lester, G||Crosby, K||Leskovar, D

publication date

  • August 2009