Abstract

BOUZO, C.A  and  CORTEZ, S.B. Efecto de la aplicación foliar de calcio sobre algunos atributos de calidad en frutos de melón. RIA. Rev. investig. agropecu. [online]. 2012, vol.38, n.3, pp.257-262. ISSN 1669-2314.

Foliar fertilization plays an important role in increasing the calcium content of certain fruits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar application of some calcium fertilizers in different environments over melon quality and yield. The field experiments were conducted at five towns located in the central region of Argentina (Colón, Coronda, Angel Gallardo, Esperanza and Media Agua) during the 2009-2010 production season. Foliar sprays with calcium solutions were applied on five different occasions at the start of fruiting, with an approximate frequency of one application per week. The treatments were: i) control (no fertilizers); ii) calcium nitrate (3 g L^-1); iii) calcium ammonium EDTA (5 cm³ L^-1) and organic calcium (40 cm³ L^-1). In fruits, the measurements taken after harvest were: Internal (IF) and External Flesh Firmness (EF) (kg), Soluble Solid Concentration (SSC) (%), Fruit Weight (W) (kg) and calcium content in rind and pulp (%). Except for the Media Agua locality, the application of calcium nitrate increased the IF and the EF in 40% and 60%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Treatments with calcium solutions did not increase the SSC and the W of fruit. With the exception of Media Agua, in the other localities it was possible to observe an increase in the rind calcium content. These results indicate that the effect of calcium foliar fertilizers may represent an improvement in the fruit quality of melon, though dependent on local environmental conditions.

Keywords : Cucumis melo L; Foliar fertilization; Fruit firmness; Soluble solid concentration.

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