REFERENCE SUFFICIENCY RANGES
VEGETABLE CROPS

Muskmelon

E. A. Hanlon and G. J. Hochmuth

• Critical Values

  None established.

• Sampling Procedures

  The most recently matured leaf should be sampled when the vines are about 12 inches long. Concentrations during harvest can best be judged by sampling the most recently matured leaf at early fruit set. It is doubtful if addition of fertilizer at or immediately after early fruit set will influence crop yield, however. Concentrations above the sufficient range for nutrients that are immobile in the soil are indicative of high soil fertility. Fertilization with these nutrients in subsequent seasons should be reduced or eliminated.

• 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

  • Early Fruit Set
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    3.5–4.5%	0.25–0.40%	1.8–4.0%	1.8–4.0%	0.3–0.4%	0.2+%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    40–100 ppm	20–100 ppm	20–50 ppm	5–10 ppm	20–80 ppm

• DRIS Norms

  DRIS norms have not been established for muskmelon.

• Remarks

  Tabular data agree with the experimental evidence reported in articles listed in the References section. However, some values are lower than those reported by Jones and others (1991). The differences can be attributed to the fact that these values are based upon measurements within experiments, compared to mean values observed with time in the analytical laboratory.

• References

  Bhella HS, Wilcox GE. 1986. Yield and composition of muskmelon as influenced by preplant and trickle applied nitrogen. HortScience 21(1):86–8.

  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):606–10.

  Brantley BB, Warren GG. 1960. Effect of nitrogen nutrition on flowering, fruiting and quality in the muskmelon. Proc Am Soc Hort Sci 77:424–31.

  DeBuchananne DA, Taber HG. 1985. Method of nitrogen application for muskmelons. J Plant Nutr 8(3):265–75.

  Elamin OM, Wilcox GE. 1986. Effect of magnesium and manganese nutrition on muskmelon growth and manganese toxicity. J Am Soc Hort Sci 111(4):582–7.

  Elamin OM, Wilcox GE. 1986. Effect of soil acidity and magnesium on muskmelon leaf composition and fruit yield. J Am Soc Hort Sci 111(5):682–5.

  Flocker WJ, Lingle JC, Davis RM, Miller RJ. 1964. Influence of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on yield, quality, and size of cantaloupes. Proc Am Soc Hort Sci 86:424–31.

  Gubler WD, Grogan RG, Osterli PP. 1982. Yellows of melons caused by molybdenum deficiency in acid soil. Plant Dis 66(6):449–51.

  Hochmuth GJ, Hanlon EA. 1995. Commercial vegetable crop nutrient requirements in Florida. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Special Publication SP 177.

  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.

  Jones JB Jr, Wolf B, Mills HA. 1991. Plant analysis handbook: a practical sampling, preparation, analysis, and interpretation guide. Athens (GA): Micro-Macro Publishing. 213 p.

  Lorenz OS, Weir BL, Bishop JC. 1972. Effect of controlled-release nitogen fertilizers on yield and nitrogen absorption by potatoes, cantaloupes, and tomatoes. J Am Soc Hort Sci 97(3):334–7.

  Stark FC, Haut IC. 1958. Mineral nutrient requirements of cantaloupes with reference to nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and boron. College Park (MD): University of Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin A-93. 33 p.

  Tabor HG, Killorn R. 1993. Determination of nitrate in unfiltered extracts of muskmelon tissue by ion-selective electrodes. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 24(11&12):1231–41.

  Wilcox GE. 1972. Muskmelon response to rates and sources of nitrogen. Agron J 65:694–7.

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