Abstract
Organic-mineral nutrient availability in soils cultivated with vegetables is essential for a satisfactory and economically viable production, including the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of the addition of livestock manure to the soil with and without potassium on watermelon (cv. Crimson Sweet) production in Paraiba, Brazil. The treatments were arranged in a design of randomized blocks, with four replications, with a factorial arrangement 2 × 5 + 1, in relation to the absence and presence of potassium, five levels of livestock manure (0, 360; 1.080; 1800 and 2510 g hole-1) in the soil with nitrogen fertilization, and a control treatment (without cattle manure or mineral fertilizers). The number of fruits per plant, the average weight of the fruits per plant, and the yield were evaluated. The plants responded positively to the application of livestock manure to the soil, but the results were higher in combination with potassium fertilization. Productivity increased in treatments in which potassium was supplied to the soil in addition to a maximum of 1124 g hole-1 of cattle manure. Half of the previously recommended level of potassium supply was enough to raise the productivity of watermelon in the region.
Highlights
Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] is a Cucurbitaceae, originated in the tropical regions of Africa
Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications in a factorial scheme 2 × 5 + 1, referring to absence and presence (15 kg ha-1 K2O) of potassium fertilization and five doses of livestock manure (0, 360; 1080; 1800 and 2510 g hole-1) in soil with nitrogen fertilization, and an absolute control treatment
The average per-plant fruit production was not affected by manure and potassium supply to the soil according to ANOVA analysis (p < 0.05)
Summary
Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] is a Cucurbitaceae, originated in the tropical regions of Africa. & Nakai] is a Cucurbitaceae, originated in the tropical regions of Africa. It is cultivated throughout most of Brazil due to favorable soil and climatic conditions (Tosta et al, 2010). The current watermelon average yield in Brazil is 23.5 Mg ha-1. According to a recent agricultural census, 603,015 Mg of watermelon were produced in north-eastern Brazil in an area of 28,436 ha, representing an average yield of 21.3 Mg ha-1. Paraiba State produced 5,100 Mg in an area of 266 ha, with an average yield of 19.2 Mg ha-1 (IBGE, 2013). Even under favorable climatic conditions for the cultivation of watermelon, primarily in semiarid areas, Paraiba State is eighth in volume produced and seventh in earnings among the north-eastern states. Watermelon cultivation should be encouraged through subsidies and government investment in research that aims to improve cultural practices and to provide information to producers for strengthening cultivation to increase earnings
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