REFERENCE SUFFICIENCY RANGES
VEGETABLE CROPS

Watermelon

R. M. Lippert

• Critical Values

  None established.

• Sampling Procedures

  At flower start or initial fruit set, sample the most recently mature leaves closest to the growing tip. Sample 12–20 leaves, including the petiole.

• Sufficiency Ranges
  
  

  Macronutrients
  N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
  2.5–4.0%	0.25–0.7%	2.25–3.5%	1.1–2.5%	0.25–0.50%	0.2–0.4%

  
  

  Micronutrients
  Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
  30–200 ppm	20–200 ppm	20–50 ppm	4–10 ppm	20–40 ppm

• DRIS Norms

  DRIS norms have not been established for watermelon.

• Remarks

  A soil test before planting provides a good assessment of nutrient availability. Since watermelons 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

  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 123–30.

  Locascio SJ, Fiskell JGA. 1966. Copper requirements of watermelons. Am Soc Hort Sci Proc 88:568–75.

  Locascio SJ, Fiskell JGA, Lundy HW. 1973. Watermelon response to sulfur-coated urea, mulches, and nitrogen rates. Fla State Hort Soc Proc 86:201–4.

  Locascio SJ, Everett PH, Fiskell JGA. 1968. Effects of phosphorus sources and copper rates on watermelons. Am Soc Hort Sci Proc 92:583–9.

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

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