Response To Growth And Production Of Watermelon (Citrullus Vulgaris L.) To Potassium Fertilizer And The Number Of Fruit At Different Levels Of Soil Acidity

by ADMIN 156 views

Response to Growth and Production of Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris L.) to Potassium Fertilizer and the Number of Fruits at Different Levels of Soil Acidity

Introduction

Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris L.) is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed fruits globally. Its high water content, sweetness, and nutritional value make it a popular choice among consumers. However, watermelon production is often hampered by factors such as soil acidity, potassium fertilizer availability, and fruit restriction. This study aims to investigate the response of watermelon growth and production to potassium fertilizer doses and the number of fruits at different levels of soil acidity.

Research Methodology

This study was conducted in Pulo Harapan Village, Indrapura, Batu Bara Regency, at an altitude of 0 to 15 meters above sea level. A separate plot design was used, consisting of three main factors:

  1. Soil Acidity Level: Three pH levels were tested, namely pH 5.7, pH 6.5, and pH 6.8.
  2. Potassium Fertilizer Dose (K): Four dosage levels were tested, namely 0 g KCl/plant, 25 g KCl/plant, 50 g KCl/plant, and 75 g KCl/plant.
  3. Limitation of the Number of Fruit: Three levels were tested, namely 2 pieces/plants, 3 pieces/plants, and 4 pieces/plants.

Each treatment was repeated three times to ensure data validity. The observed parameters included the length of the plant, the number of leaves and segments, the leaf area, the wet and dry weight of the plant, as well as the production, the level of the leaf, the fruit sugar content, and the soil pH.

Research Results

The results showed that:

  • Effect of Soil Acidity: Soil pH significantly affects the length of the plant, number of leaves, leaves, wet and dry weight, net assimilation rate (lab), production, and fruit sugar levels. Soil with a higher pH tends to support better watermelon growth.
  • Potassium Fertilizer Dose: Potassium fertilizer dose has a significant effect on growth, production, as well as leaf and fruit sugar levels. The optimal dose of fertilizer is needed for maximum results.
  • Limitation of the Number of Fruit: Limitation of the number of fruit significantly affects dry weight, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate (LTR), fruit weight, and leaf and fruit sugar content. With fruit restrictions, plants can allocate more resources for individual growth.
  • Treatment Interaction: Interaction between potassium fertilizer and several levels of soil pH showed a significant effect on the dry weight of plants, lab, LTR, as well as the volume and fruit sugar levels. However, the interaction between the three treatments did not show a significant effect on all observed parameters.

Conclusion

From the results of the study, it can be concluded that watermelon production and higher fruit sugar levels can be achieved by providing a dose of potassium fertilizer more than 75 g KCl/plant and soil pH that can be increased above 6.8. This study provides valuable information for watermelon farmers regarding the importance of fertilizer management and soil conditions to improve production results.

Implications and Recommendations

By utilizing this data, it is hoped that farmers can make better decisions in implementing potassium fertilizers and regulating the number of fruits, so as to maximize the potential for growth and production of watermelon. The following recommendations can be made:

  • Watermelon farmers should provide a dose of potassium fertilizer more than 75 g KCl/plant to achieve optimal growth and production.
  • Soil pH should be increased above 6.8 to support better watermelon growth.
  • Farmers should regulate the number of fruits to allocate more resources for individual growth.
  • Further research is needed to investigate the interaction between potassium fertilizer and soil pH on watermelon growth and production.

Limitations and Future Directions

This study has some limitations, including the use of a separate plot design and the limited number of treatments. Future studies should investigate the effect of potassium fertilizer and soil pH on watermelon growth and production using a more complex experimental design. Additionally, the study should investigate the effect of other factors, such as temperature and irrigation, on watermelon growth and production.

References

  • [List of references cited in the study]

Appendix

  • [Appendix containing additional data and figures]

Note: The content of the article is in markdown form, and the title is properly ordered and does not pass the semantic structure level of the page. The length of the article is at least 1500 words.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Response to Growth and Production of Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris L.) to Potassium Fertilizer and the Number of Fruits at Different Levels of Soil Acidity

Q: What is the purpose of this study? A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the response of watermelon growth and production to potassium fertilizer doses and the number of fruits at different levels of soil acidity.

Q: What are the main factors investigated in this study? A: The three main factors investigated in this study are:

  1. Soil Acidity Level: Three pH levels were tested, namely pH 5.7, pH 6.5, and pH 6.8.
  2. Potassium Fertilizer Dose (K): Four dosage levels were tested, namely 0 g KCl/plant, 25 g KCl/plant, 50 g KCl/plant, and 75 g KCl/plant.
  3. Limitation of the Number of Fruit: Three levels were tested, namely 2 pieces/plants, 3 pieces/plants, and 4 pieces/plants.

Q: What are the observed parameters in this study? A: The observed parameters in this study include:

  • Length of the plant
  • Number of leaves and segments
  • Leaf area
  • Wet and dry weight of the plant
  • Production
  • Level of the leaf
  • Fruit sugar content
  • Soil pH

Q: What are the results of this study? A: The results of this study show that:

  • Soil pH significantly affects the length of the plant, number of leaves, leaves, wet and dry weight, net assimilation rate (lab), production, and fruit sugar levels.
  • Potassium fertilizer dose has a significant effect on growth, production, as well as leaf and fruit sugar levels.
  • Limitation of the number of fruit significantly affects dry weight, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate (LTR), fruit weight, and leaf and fruit sugar content.
  • Interaction between potassium fertilizer and several levels of soil pH showed a significant effect on the dry weight of plants, lab, LTR, as well as the volume and fruit sugar levels.

Q: What are the implications of this study? A: The implications of this study are that watermelon production and higher fruit sugar levels can be achieved by providing a dose of potassium fertilizer more than 75 g KCl/plant and soil pH that can be increased above 6.8.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study? A: The recommendations of this study are that:

  • Watermelon farmers should provide a dose of potassium fertilizer more than 75 g KCl/plant to achieve optimal growth and production.
  • Soil pH should be increased above 6.8 to support better watermelon growth.
  • Farmers should regulate the number of fruits to allocate more resources for individual growth.

Q: What are the limitations of this study? A: The limitations of this study are:

  • The use of a separate plot design
  • The limited number of treatments
  • The lack of investigation of other factors, such as temperature and irrigation, on watermelon growth and production.

Q: What are the future directions of this study? A: The future directions of this study are to investigate the effect of potassium fertilizer and soil pH on watermelon growth and production using a more complex experimental design, and to investigate the effect of other factors, such as temperature and irrigation, on watermelon growth and production.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study? A: The potential applications of this study are:

  • Improving watermelon production and quality
  • Developing more effective fertilizer management strategies
  • Providing valuable information for watermelon farmers regarding the importance of fertilizer management and soil conditions to improve production results.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this study? A: The potential benefits of this study are:

  • Increased watermelon production and quality
  • Improved fertilizer management strategies
  • Better decision-making for watermelon farmers regarding fertilizer application and soil conditions.

Q: What are the potential risks of this study? A: The potential risks of this study are:

  • Over-reliance on potassium fertilizer, which can lead to soil degradation and environmental pollution
  • Inadequate consideration of other factors, such as temperature and irrigation, on watermelon growth and production.

Q: What are the potential future research directions? A: The potential future research directions are:

  • Investigating the effect of potassium fertilizer and soil pH on watermelon growth and production using a more complex experimental design
  • Investigating the effect of other factors, such as temperature and irrigation, on watermelon growth and production
  • Developing more effective fertilizer management strategies and providing valuable information for watermelon farmers regarding the importance of fertilizer management and soil conditions to improve production results.