Physiology and growth of the watermelon grown under nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium rates via mineral and organic fertilizer

Francisco De Sales Oliveira Filho,Eliezer Da Cunha Siqueira,Francisco Hevilásio Freire Pereira,Ednaldo Barbosa Pereira Júnior,Pedro Alves Dos Santos,Francisco Hélio Dantas Lacerda,Ewerton Gonçalves De Abrantes,Carlos Alberto Lins Casimiro

doi:10.33448/rsd-v9i11.9677

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and growth responses of watermelon under application of NPK rates using different proportions of mineral and organic fertilizers. The experiment was taken place in an area located at the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campus Pombal - PB (6º48'16'' S and 37º49'15'' W), during the period from June to September 2013. The treatments consisted of three nutrient concentrations of N, P and K (50, 100 and 150% of NPK recommendation for watermelon) and five proportions of mineral and organic fertilizer (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 to 0/100). The design was a randomized block in factorial scheme 3 x 5, with four replications. The amount of 100 % was the corresponding NPK 120 kg ha-1, respectively, for N, P and K. They were evaluated: gas exchange, leaf dry matter, stem, fruit and leaf area. The concentration of 150 % of the recommended NPK to the culture of watermelon was the most effective in increasing the physiological characteristics and dry matter accumulation in stem, leaf, fruit, and leaf area. The combined application of mineral and organic fertilizer provides equivalent photosynthetic rate isolated application of mineral fertilizer with an 50/50 ratio the most effective for this variable. The proportions 75/25 and 50/50 were the most efficient in dry matter accumulation in watermelon.

Highlights

Fertilization is among the cultural practices that contribute most to the growth and development of crops, it is necessary to know about the dynamics of these materials in the soil and in the development of the plant, in order to ensure that the applied nutrients can perform their specific functions in its most diverse operating sites.In the culture of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), mineral nutrition is a relevant factor that directly influences physiological and growth parameters
The experiment was taken place in an area located at the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campus Pombal - PB (6o48'16'' S and 37o49'15'' W), during the period from June to September 2013
Among the representative characteristics that can be used in the study of cultivated plants, the growth analysis is an important and indispensable method in the evaluation of the behavioral differences of these plants, since it is influenced by agronomic practices and intrinsic factors associated with plant physiology (Costa et al, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

Fertilization is among the cultural practices that contribute most to the growth and development of crops, it is necessary to know about the dynamics of these materials in the soil and in the development of the plant, in order to ensure that the applied nutrients can perform their specific functions in its most diverse operating sites.In the culture of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), mineral nutrition is a relevant factor that directly influences physiological and growth parameters. Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and growth responses of watermelon under application of NPK rates using different proportions of mineral and organic fertilizers.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion