Supplemental foliar potassium applications during muskmelon fruit development can improve fruit quality, ascorbic acid, and beta-cartene contents

• Published in: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science Vol. 130; no. 4; pp. 649 - 653
• Main Authors: Lester, G.E, Jifon, J.L, Rogers, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: ascorbic acid; beta-carotene; Cucumis melo; fertilizer rates; firmness; foliar application; food composition; fruit crops; fruit quality; fruiting; muskmelons; plant nutrition; potassium fertilizers; soluble solids; sugar content

Muskmelon [Cucumis melo L. (Reticulatus Group)] fruit sugar content is directly related to potassium (K)-mediated phloem transport of sucrose into the fruit. However, during fruit growth and maturation, soil fertilization alone is often inadequate (due to poor root uptake and competitive uptake inhi...