Reducing Hollow Heart and White Heart in Melon Fruit

Hollow heart and white heart are physiologically related pulp disorders. They occur as a result of environmental and growth stresses, including nutrition deficiencies.

It is most common in watermelon, early on in the season, when conditions quickly alternate between wet and dry, or cold and warm.

Too much nitrogen and excessive moisture during fruit set can encourage hollow heart and lead to a melon with a bland taste. Hollow and white heart, can be minimized by ensuring optimum nutrition and soil moisture management.

 

Crop Nutrition and Hollow or White Heart in Melon Fruit

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is important during flower formation to increase fruit set. It also helps produce thicker skins with well-developed netting. Foliar phosphate can reduce hollow-heart.

Foliar phosphate can reduce melon fruit hollow-heart and white heart. The use of foliar phosphorus prior to harvest has been shown to reduce the incidence of hollow heart in watermelon.

 

Calcium

Poor calcium nutrition in melons can also result in hollow heart and white heart. Fruits are distorted with a poor skin finish. Hollow heart is more common when there is a lack of calcium in the plant.

Trials confirm that calcium nitrate is particularly effective at ensuring good fruit quality, also hollow and white heart.

 

Related articles

Increasing Melon Fruit Set and Weight

Increasing Melon Fruit Set and Weight

Melon plants are frost susceptible and low temperatures can cause growth abnormalities, poor flower and fruit set. Insects, in particular bees, are important to aid pollination and fruit set. Melon fruit set and weight is also influenced by the right...
Reducing Melon Fruit Cracking

Reducing Melon Fruit Cracking

To avoid melon fruit cracking, growers can select more tolerant melon varieties and grow them on soils where drainage is not a problem and where water supply can be properly managed.
Improving Melon Shelf Life

Improving Melon Shelf Life

Melons are best packed in the field to minimize bruising during transportation. They should never be stacked on their ends. The blossom end, in particular, is weak and can be crushed. Melons are also susceptible to chilling damage, so storage...
Improving Melon Fruit Firmness

Improving Melon Fruit Firmness

Most melon consumers are looking for a fruit with firm flesh. Melon firmness is therefore key.

See all melon nutrition articles