Foliar nutrition of muskmelon: I. Application to seedlings ‐ greenhouse experiments∗

Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 1009‐E, 1984 series.

Abstract

In three greenhouse trials it was found that foliar fertilization of NPK to muskmelon and other curbubits, applied at the 2‐leaf stage, can enhance the vegetative growth of leaves and stems. Generally, the effect of foliar nutrition increased as the fertility level of the root zone solution decreased. When CaCl₂ was applied to the foliage 2.5–72 h prior to NPK application, the results were inconsistent. In several cases the foliar application of CaCl₂ augmented the effect of the NPK spray. However, in no case did CaCl₂ by itself increase vegetative growth. In one experiment, CaCl₂ in conjunction with NPK increased new leaf dry weight by 47%, even though the potting mixture had been adequately supplied with nutrients.

Key words:

• Cucumis melo L.
• calcium
• plant development

Notes

Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 1009‐E, 1984 series.