Author
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JIFON, JOHN - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY |
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Lester, Gene |
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Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 1/24/2007 Publication Date: 2/22/2007 Citation: Jifon, J.L., Lester, G.E. 2007. Foliar fertilization of muskmelon: Effects of potassium source on market quality and phytochemical content of field-grown fruit. Meeting Proceedings. Fluid Forum, Scottsdale, Arizona. p. 154-161. Interpretive Summary: The current data generally support our previous controlled environment findings that supplementing soil K supply with foliar K applications during fruit development and maturation can improve muskmelon fruit quality by increasing firmness, sugar content, ascorbic acid, and beta-carotene levels. The current data also provide additional evidence of differences among potential foliar K sources (potassium chloride, potassium nitrate - KNO(3), monopotassium phosphate, potassium sulfate, potassium thiosulfate, and a glycine amino acid-complexed K- Potassium Metalosate), with KNO(3) consistently emerging as a less desirable source of K during fruit development. These positive trends, as well as the variability among treatments, underscore the need to further characterize the mechanisms of soil K uptake limitations and to define conditions for optimizing the benefits of supplemental foliar K nutrition. Technical Abstract: Muskmelon [Cucumis melo L. (Reticulatus Group)] fruit quality attributes such as sweetness, aroma, and texture are directly related to potassium (K)-mediated processes. However, during fruit growth and maturation, soil K supply alone is often inadequate to satisfy K requirements. Previous studies have demonstrated that supplemental foliar K applications can overcome this apparent deficiency, however, the suitability of potential K salts as foliar sources is still uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the effects of six foliar K sources (potassium chloride - KCl, potassium nitrate – KNO(3), monopotassium phosphate – MKP, potassium sulfate – K(2)SO(4), potassium thiosulfate - KTS , and a glycine amino acid-complexed K- Potassium Metalosate, KM) on fruit quality parameters of field-grown muskmelon ‘Cruiser’. Experiments were conducted during the spring of 2005 and 2006 at 2 locations (Weslaco and Santa Ana) in south Texas. Weekly foliar K applications were established starting at fruit set and continuing to fruit maturity. Leaf, stem, petiole, and fruit tissues from plots receiving supplemental foliar K treatments generally had higher K concentrations than those from control plots but this effect was not consistent among the K sources and between locations. Even though pre-plant soil K concentrations were very high, supplemental foliar K treatments resulted in generally higher K concentrations in plant tissues, suggesting that plant K uptake from the soil solution was not sufficient to saturate tissue K accumulation. Fruit from plots receiving supplemental foliar K generally had higher soluble solids concentrations (SSC), sugars, and the human wellness compounds - ascorbic acid and Beta-carotene than control fruit. However, this trend was more evident only at Weslaco and there were generally no consistent trends among K sources except for KNO(3) which tended to result in less firm fruit. Fruit yields were not affected by supplemental foliar K applications. These results generally support our previous controlled environment findings that supplementing soil K supply with foliar K applications during fruit development and maturation can improve muskmelon fruit quality by increasing firmness, sugars, ascorbic acid, and Beta-carotene contents. The current data also provide additional evidence of differences among potential foliar K sources, with KNO(3) consistently emerging as a less desirable source of K during fruit development and maturation. |
