Managing Total Soluble Solids in Melon

Right amount of nitrogen supply is important to boost leaf growth and sugar synthesis, improving fruit quality. Nitrogen form is particularly important and it is critical to maintain a good balance between ammonium and nitrate forms to maintain fast growth and good crop productivity. Trials confirm significant reductions in nitrogen uptake by leaves and yield losses from use of nitrogen-fertilizers with too high a proportion of ammonium compared to nitrate. Crop quality also deteriorates.

Phosphorus supplies throughout the season help ensure the production of high quality fruit with a high sugar content.

Potassium has a critically important role in ensuring top quality fruit. It plays a key role in the transport of sugars to fruit. Potassium is also very important in ensuring maximum sugar build-up in fruit.

Magnesium uptake can be depressed by an excess of other cations (so it is important to maintain a correct balance to avoid compromising uptake). An imbalance of cations will lower sugar content, and pulp and peel firmness.