Growing melons with Haifa fertilizers

Fertilization recommendations for various fertilization methods: Base-dressing, Side-dressing, fertigation and foliar feeding

 

Growing medium: Open field.
Soil type: Light.
Plant population: 12000-15000 plants/Ha.
Expected yield: 30-50 T/Ha.

 

The growing period is based on 75 days from transplanting or 85 days from sowing.

 

 

Recommended average rates of nutrients for melon

N

P2O5

K2O

-----------------Kg/Ha-------------

130-150

130-140

260

 

 

A. Base-dressing (Kg/Ha):

The rates are based on the assumption that 40% of the nitrogen, 40% of the potassium and all the phosphate will be applied as base-dressing.

 

Nutrient requirements

Suggested fertilizers

N

P2O5

K2O

AN

SSP

Multi-K

55

100

110

70

550

240

 

 

B. Side-Dressing (Kg/Ha)

Week after planting or emergence

Nutrient requirements

Suggested fertilizers

N

P2O5

K2O

AN

SSP

Multi-K

3

10

-

32

-

-

70

4

30

-

-

90

-

-

5

10

-

32

-

-

70

6

30

-

-

90

-

-

7

10

-

32

-

-

70

9

10

-

32

-

-

70

Total

100

 

128

180

 

280

 

 

AN = Ammonium Nitrate (34%N).
SSP = Simple Super Phosphate (8.4 P).
Multi-K = Potassium nitrate (13% N and 38% K).
In case of calcium deficiency a part of the AN will be replaced by calcium nitrate.

 

Recommended average rates of nutrients for melons

N

P

K

---------------- Kg/Ha -----------------

130-150

44-62

220

 

Fertilization of melon (B)

Growing Medium: Open field.
Soil type: Light.
Plant population: 12000-15000 plants/Ha.
Expected yield: 30-50 T/Ha.

 

The growing period is based on 75 days from transplanting or 85 days from sowing.

 

A. Base-dressing (Kg/Ha):

The rates are based on the assumption that 40% of the nitrogen, 40% of the potassium and all the phosphate will be applied as base-dressing.

 

Nutrient requirement

Suggested fertilizer

N

P

K

AN

SSP

KNO3

55

44

90

70

520

240

 

 

B. Fertigation (Kg/Ha/Day)

Growth period

Nutrient demand

Suggested fertilizer

N

P

K

AN

MAP

Multi-K

Sowing - Flowering

1.2

0.2

1.2

2.0

0.7

3.0

Flowering - Fruit set

3.0

0.3

2.0

6.5

1.0

5.0

Fruit set - Neting

5.0

0.3

4.0

10.5

1.0

10.5

Neting - Harvesting

1.0

-

1.0

2.0

-

2.5

 

AN = Ammonium Nitrate (34% N).
SSP = Single Super Phosphate (8.4 P).
MAP = Monoammonium Phosphate (12% N and 27% P).
Multi-K = Potassium nitrate (13% N and 38% K).
In case of calcium deficiency a part of the AN will be replaced by calcium nitrate.

 

Nutrition NFT database for melon

 

Concentration

 

Rockwool

Parameter

Nutrient Solution

Root Environ.

EC (mS/cm)

2.2

3.0

 

(mg/l)

NH4

18.0

9.0

N-NH4

13.8

6.9

K in sap    
K

293.3

273.7

Ca

190.5

280.7

Mg

30.4

60.8

N, total    
NO3

1007.5

1240.0

N-NO3

227.4

279.9

S, total    
SO4

144.2

336.4

P    
H2PO4

121.3

77.6

Si 21.1 16.9
Na    
     
Fe

0.559

0.838

Mn

0.549

0.385

Zn

0.262

0.458

B

0.216

0.540

Cu

0.032

0.064

Mo

0.048

-

 

Important note: The a/m database was prepared to fit Dutch conditions (low transpiration and low EC of the water). Some modifications may be required to correspond to your local conditions.

 

sources:

  • N. Straver. Nutrient solutions for vegetables and flowers grown in water or substrates. 10th Ed. 1994.
  • C. de Kreij, Sonneveld C., Warmenhoven M.G. and Straver N.A. Guide values for nutrient element contents of vegetables and flowers under glass. 3rd Ed. 1992.

 

 

Nutrients requirement of muskmelon

Variety: Galia.
Soil type: Sandy.
Plant density: 25,000 plants / Ha.
Expected yield: 56 T/Ha.
Growth period (days from seeding/planting to harvest): Selective.

 

 

Time interval
(days after emergence
or planting)

Nutrients requirement (Kg/Ha/Day)

N

P2O5

K2O

1-10

0.15

0.34

0.04

11-20

0.20

0.46

0.04

21-30

0.35

0.80

0.08

31-40

0.90

2.06

0.22

41-50

1.30

2.98

0.30

51-60

2.50

5.73

0.30

61-70

4.30

9.85

0.42

71-80

2.40

5.50

0.54

81-90

1.20

2.75

0.52

91-100

1.00

2.29

0.33

101-110

0.50

1.15

0.16

111-120

0.30

0.69

0.20

Total (Kg/Ha)

151.00

345.84

30.12

Source: B. Bar-Yosef. Fertilization under drip irrigation.

 

Approximate nitrogen requirement

 

lbsN/acre/week

kgN /ha/week

Growth stage

low

high

low

high

Vegetative growth

5

10

5.6

11.2

Early flowering/fruit set

10

20

11.2

22.4

Fruit bulking

10

15

11.2

16.8

First harvest

5

10

5.6

11.2

Source: Blaine Hansen, 1996. Fertilizing Row Crops With Drip Irrigation Nov/Dec. Irrigation Journal.

 

 

Fertigation in open field in Thailand

Plant Density: 12,000 – 18,000 plants/Ha.
Type of soil: Medium – Heavy.
Expected yield: 30 – 40 MT/Ha.

 

Nutrient requirements

 

 

Requirement (Kg/Ha)

N

P2O5

K2O

MgO

CaO

210

150

340

55

180

 

 

 

 

Fertilizers and recommendations

 

Time of application

Suggested fertilizers (Kg/Ha)

Nutrient uptake (Kg/Ha)

Urea

12-61-0

Multi-K

Magnisal 11-0-0+16

N

P2O5

K2O

MgO

Seeding – flowering

15

75

48

-

22

46

22

-

Flowering – small fruit

15

75

255

166

66

46

188

25

Small fruit – 10 days before harvesting

70

95

435

200

122

58

200

30

Total

100

245

738

366

210

150

340

55

 

 

Multi-K = 13-0-46 (Potassium Nitrate).
Calcium should be applied according to soil analysis results.

 

Foliar recommendations

  1. Initiation of flowering: Foliar sprays with Poly-Feed 11-44-11, at 0.5%, 3-4 sprays in 10 days intervals.
  2. Boost yield and quality: Foliar sprays with Multi-K, at 1-2%, 4-6 sprays after fruit set in 10-15 days intervals.

The following recommendations should be adjusted according to local conditions and experience. All Haifa products are compatible with most pesticides and plant nutrients, more than one chemical can be sprayed simultaneously in a single application.

 

 

Fertilization of melons in France

(Suggested by L. Aubertin)

 

Growing method: Open field.
Soil type: Light, calcareous with pH 6-7.5.
Cultivar: Sezanne (mostly) & Cantaloup = Cantalou Charentais.
Growth period: planting: mid-April, harvest: throughout July.
Plant density: 9,000 – 10,000 plants/ha.
Expected yield: 35 T/Ha.

Nutrition intensity is dependant upon growth conditions, as follows:

Growth conditions

Expected yield (Ton/ha)

N

P2O5

K2O

MgO

Open field

18-20

150-200

80-150

200-220

80

Protected by low tunnels (chenilles)

25-35

150-200

100-150

250-300

100

Greenhouse, on soil

40-50

200-350

100-150

300-450

100-150

 

Traditional irrigation

Products

Pre-Plant

Flowering & first fruit Dev.

fruit develop.

Remarks

  ---------Kg / ha----------  
MULTIGRO 20-15-10 6 Months

400-600

    Late varieties Add MgO (High K level in soil)
MULTIGRO 11-11-18+5 4 Months

400-600

    (Possible Complement NCa & PN)
Multi K Prill or Multi-KMg 11-0-39+4  

200

400

top dressing
PRILL'OR 23-0-23  

200-400

  top dressing
Haifa Cal  

200-300

100

top dressing
Magnisal  

50 (5X10)

  Foliar: at first female flowers

 

Drip irrigation

 

Vegetative "re-start"

Flowering & first fruit Dev.

Fruit Develop.

Before Harvest

Remarks

Products

---------Kg / ha----------

 
MAP

100-150

50-100

    Fertigation
SOLUPLANT 12-36-12+2

200

      Fertigation
SOLUPLANT 18-6-26+2  

300

    Fertigation
HUMIK 2-2-4 or 6-4-8  

100L (3x35L)

    Fertigation
Multi K or Multi KMG 11-0-40+4  

100-200

300

100

Fertigation
Magnisal  

50 (5X10)

    Foliar: at first female flowers

 

HUMIK is a Liquid fertilizer Multi K inside in 12L or 20L containers with Duclos Humic acids.

 

 

Plant analysis guide

Nutrient sufficiency ranges (source: A & L, Agronomy Handbook, Ankerman & Large Eds.)

 

 

Melon

N

S

P

K

Mg

Ca

Na

B

Zn

Mn

Fe

Cu

Al

-------------------- % --------------------

------ p.p.m --------

From

2.00

0.30

0.20

2.50

0.50

2.00

0.01

25

20

50

60

5

20

To

6.00

1.00

0.80

5.00

1.00

3.5

0.20

75

80

100

120

20

150

 

Need more information about growing melons? You can always return to the melon fertilizer .