Abstract

NASCIMENTO, Jose Adeilson Medeiros do; SOUTO, Jacob Silva; CAVALCANTE, Lourival Ferreira  and  PEREIRA, Walter Esfrain. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) Production as Affected by Soil Potassium Fertilizer and Livestock Manure. Agrociencia Uruguay [online]. 2017, vol.21, n.2, pp.7-14. ISSN 1510-0839.

Organic-mineral nutrient availability in soils cultivated with vegetables is essential for a satisfactory and economically viableproduction, including the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of the additionof 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) inthe soil with nitrogen fertilization, and a control treatment (without cattle manure or mineral fertilizers). The number of fruits perplant, the average weight of the fruits per plant, and the yield were evaluated. The plants responded positively to the applicationof livestock manure to the soil, but the results were higher in combination with potassium fertilization. Productivity increased intreatments in which potassium was supplied to the soil in addition to a maximum of 1124 g hole-1 of cattle manure. Half of thepreviously recommended level of potassium supply was enough to raise the productivity of watermelon in the region.

Keywords : Citrullus lanatus; organic matter; chemical fertilization.

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