REFERENCE SUFFICIENCY RANGES
VEGETABLE CROPS

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Cantaloupe

R. M. Lippert

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• Critical Values

  None established.

• Sampling Procedures
  
  
  1. When vines are 12 inches long, sample the most recently mature leaves closest to the growing tip.
  2. At flower or initial fruit set, sample the most recently mature leaves closest to the growing tip. Sample 12–20 leaves, including the petiole.

• Sufficiency Ranges
  
  
  • 12-inch Vines
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    4.0–5.0%	0.4–0.7%	5.0–7.0%	3.0–5.0%	0.35–0.45%	>0.2%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    40–100 ppm	20–100 ppm	20–60 ppm	5–10 ppm	20–80 ppm

  
  
  
  • At Flower Start or Initial Fruit Set
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    3.0–4.5%	0.25–0.40%	1.8–4.0%	1.8–5.0%	0.3–1.5%	>0.2%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    30–200 ppm	20–100 ppm	20–60 ppm	5–20 ppm	20–80 ppm

• DRIS Norms

  None established.

• Remarks

  A soil test before planting provides a good assessment of nutrient availability. Since canteloupes are commonly grown on acidic, sandy soils in the Southeast, a tissue test will help monitor the availability of leachable nutrients such as nitrogen and sulfur and assess the level of calcium to avoid blossom-end rot.

• References

  Bhella HS, Wilcox GE. 1989. Lime and nitrogen influence soil acidity, nutritional status, vegetative growth and yield of muskmelon. J Am Soc Hort Sci 114(4):606–610.

  Elamin OM, Wilcox GE. 1986. Effect of magnesium and manganese nutrition on muskmelon growth and manganese toxicity. J Am Soc Hort Sci 111(4):582–587.

  Hochmuth GJ, Maynard D, Vavrina C, Hanlon EA. 1991. Plant tissue analysis and interpretations for vegetable crops in Florida. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Special Series SS-VEC-42. 62 p.

  Locascio SJ. 1993. Cucurbits: cucumber, muskmelon, and watermelon. In: Bennett WF, editor. Nutrient deficiencies and toxicities in crop plants. St. Paul (MN): APS Press. p 123–130.

  Plank CO. 1989. Plant analysis handbook for Georgia. Athens (GA): University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. 64 p.

  Wilcox GE. 1972. Muskmelon response to rates and sources of nitrogen. Agron J 65:694–697.

Electronic Document Prepared by:
Catherine Stokes, Communication Specialist
Agronomic Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. July 2000.