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184
Research
Hortic. bras., Brasília, v.36, n.2, April - June 2018
The Cucurbitaceae family, which
includes cucumbers, pumpkins,
muskmelons, squash and pumpkins,
consists of hundreds of wild
and cultivated varieties. Of these,
muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is an
important horticultural crop in arid
and semi-arid regions, due to its good
adaptation to the soil and climatic
conditions (Kusvuran et al., 2012),
with a total annual production of 31.92
million tons (FAOSTAT, 2014).
However, production under field
conditions focuses in a few weeks,
mainly due to climatic factors, then, to
extend the availability of this product
in the market, it is necessary to use
other production methods (Arellano et
al., 2011).
In this situation, horticultural
production under protected systems is an
alternative to traditional eld production,
especially in highly profitable crops
(Pardossi et al., 2002). The development
of muskmelon plants under greenhouse
conditions compared to those developed
in eld, have many advantages such
as precocity, yield increases and water
use and fertilizer eciency (Preciado-
Rangel et al., 2011).
The low restrictive environment and
the increase of fertilization especially
nitrogen, allows high yields (Preciado-
Rangel et al., 2011); however, this
decreases the nutraceutical quality,
because of when there is no deficit
of nitrogen (N) the production of
compounds such as amino acids,
proteins, and alkaloids that contain N
increased (Hallmann & Rembiałkowska,
2012). Therefore, researches of the
factors that enhance the nutraceutical
PRECIADO-RANGEL, P; SALAS-PÉREZ, L; GALLEGOS-ROBLES, MA; RUIZ-ESPINOZA, FH; AYALA-GARAY, AV; FORTIS-HERNÁNDEZ, M;
MURILLO-AMADOR, B. 2018. Increasing doses of potassium increases yield and quality of muskmelon fruits under greenhouse. Horticultura Brasileira
36: 184-188. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-053620180206
Increasing doses of potassium increases yield and quality of muskmelon
fruits under greenhouse
Pablo Preciado-Rangel1; Lilia Salas-Pérez2; Miguel Á Gallegos-Robles3; Francisco H Ruiz-Espinoza4; Alma
V Ayala-Garay5; Manuel Fortis-Hernández1; Bernardo Murillo-Amador6
1Instituto Tecnológico de Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico; ppreciador@yahoo.com.mx; fortismanuel@hotmail.com; 2Universidad Politécnica de
Gómez Palacio, Torreón, Mexico; lilia-nt@hotmail.com; 3Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango, Mexico; garoma64@hotmail.
com; 4Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Baja California Sur, Mexico; fruiz@uabcs.mx; 5Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones
Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Texcoco, Mexico; ayala.alma@inifap.gob.mx; 6Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, Baja
California Sur, Mexico; bmurillo04@cibnor.mx; (autor para correspondencia)
ABSTRACT
Potassium (K) inuences the variables that determine quality of
fruit and the concentration of phytonutrients to human health and
therefore consumer preferences. The objective of this study was to
evaluate the eect of dierent concentrations of K in the nutrient
solution (5, 7, 9 and 11 mM of K) on yield and quality of Cantaloupe
fruits under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted
in pots using a completely randomized design with 15 replications.
Analysis of variance, correlation, regression and multiple comparisons
among means (Tukey p<0.05) were performed. Results showed higher
values of yield, average fruit weight, equatorial diameter, pulp
thickness, fruit rmness, soluble solids content, phenolic content and
antioxidant capacity of fruits at the concentrations of 9 and 11 mM of
K. All variables, except equatorial diameter, increased their values as
K concentrations increased, showing a lineal, positive and signicant
trend, which evidences that the optimal dose of K in muskmelon is
higher than 11 mM, being suggested for future research, to evaluate
concentrations above this value.
Keywords: Cucumis melo, plant nutrition, nutraceutical quality.
RESUMO
Incremento de doses de potássio favorece a produtividade e
qualidade de melão em casa de vegetação
O potássio (K) inuencia as variáveis que determinam a qualidade
dos frutos e a concentração de tonutriente para a saúde humana e,
portanto, as preferencias do consumidor. O objetivo desse estudo foi
avaliar o efeito de diversas concentrações de K na solução nutritiva
(5, 7, 9 e 11 mM de K) sobre o rendimento e qualidade de frutos de
melão Cantaloupe em casa de vegetação. O experimento foi realizado
em vasos, em delineamento experimental completamente casualizado,
com 15 repetições. Foram analisadas a variância, correlação, regres-
são e comparação múltipla de médias (Tukey p<0,05). Obtiveram-se
valores maiores de produtividade, peso médio de frutos, diâmetro
equatorial, espessura da polpa, rmeza da polpa, teor de sólidos so-
lúveis totais, teor de compostos fenólicos e capacidade antioxidante
dos frutos nas concentrações de 9 e 11 mM de K. Todas variáveis, com
exceção de diâmetro polar dos frutos, tiveram seus valores aumen-
tados, com concentrações crescentes de K, evidenciando tendência
linear positiva e signicativa, indicando que a dose ótima de K em
melão é superior a 11 mM. Assim, sugere-se para pesquisas futuras,
avaliar concentrações acima de 11 mM..
Palavras chave: Cucumis melo, nutricão vegetal, qualidade
nutracêutica.
Received on November 9, 2016; accepted on December 10, 2017
185Hortic. bras., Brasília, v.36, n.2, April - June 2018
content of fruit were promoted (Navarro
et al., 2006). In particular, total phenols
have a high antioxidant capacity, highly
desirable nutraceutical characteristic
that can contribute to improved health
(Fischer et al., 2013; Rinaldi et al.,
2013). Therefore, a high content
of phenols and antioxidants, allow
greater competitiveness in domestic
and international markets; however,
studies using dierent K concentrations
in the nutrient solution and quality of
muskmelon were not found.
Muskmelon has low fat and sodium
(Na) content, no cholesterol and
provides many essential nutrients such
as potassium (K), besides being a rich
source of beta-carotene and vitamin C.
The factors that may aect quality of
fruits include genotype, environmental
conditions and fertilization (Beckles,
2012).
Regarding fertilization, in recent
years, to improve nutritional and
nutraceutical quality of vegetable
products for human consumption, the
bio-fortication programs consisting of
cultivation of species to increase their
nutritional value, include trace elements
such as micronutrients (Montoya et al.,
2013; Constán-Aguilar et al., 2014).
Concerning macronutrients, K is
the one that exerts greater inuence on
the characteristics that determine the
consumer’s preferences, the quality
of the fruits and the concentration of
phytonutrients of vital importance to
human health (Lester et al., 2010).
Under this perspective, the objective
of this study was to evaluate the eect
of dierent concentrations of K in the
nutrient solution applied during the
growth period of muskmelon plants and
their eect on yield and nutraceutical
quality of fruits.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Study area
The study was conducted under
greenhouse conditions with automated
control system of environmental
conditions at Instituto Tecnológico
of Torreón, México (25°36’37”N,
103°22’32”W, altitude 1123 m).
During the growing season, minimum
and maximum temperatures inside
greenhouse fluctuated between 20
and 35°C, while the minimum and
maximum relative humidity ranged
from 60 to 80%.
Crop management
Sowing was done directly, placing
a seed of Expedition genotype (Harris
Moran®, USA) in black polyethylene
bags of 20 L, caliber 500 and nursery
type, which were used as pots and placed
in an arrangement called “quincunx”.
Density was of six plants per square
meter leaving one fruit per plant.
Prewashed and sterilized river sand
with a solution of 5% of NaClO was
used as substrate. The treatments were
designed from modifications of the
Steiner nutrient solution and consisted
of increasing levels of K (5, 7, 9 and 11
mM). Each treatment consisted of one
plant/pot, distributed in a completely
randomized design with 15 replications
(one pot per replication). All nutrient
solutions contained (in mM L-1) 8 Fe,
0.865 B, 1.6 Mn, 0.023 Zn, 0.11 Cu and
0.5 Mo and were adjusted to an osmotic
potential of -0.073 MPa and pH of 5.5.
The nutrient solutions were formulated
using high soluble commercial
fertilizers, available in the local market.
Three irrigations were applied daily,
using a drip irrigation system, whose
volume ranged from 0.750 L pot-1 from
sowing to the beginning of owering
(45 days after sowing) and 2.0 L
plant-1 were provided from owering
to harvesting stage, which began 85
days after sowing. Plants were pruned
to a stem and subsequently supported
with stakes which were placed using
raa thread, holding one extreme on the
stem base and the other to a metal wire
which was secured to the rm structure
of the greenhouse. Bees were used to
pollinate owers, introducing them to
the greenhouse during the owering
stage. Several fruits were set after
pollination with bees; however, only one
fruit per plant was left. After pollination,
fruits were pruned and the biggest one
selected, which remained on plant until
harvest. Harvest took place when the
fruits break of from peduncle.
Fruit average weight and quality
Fruits were harvested at full slip
phase, when stem was completely
separated. The fruit average weight was
expressed in kilograms per plant.
Fruit size (polar and equatorial
diameter in cm), pulp thickness (cm),
total soluble solids in Brix grades (°Brix)
were measured on each harvested fruit.
Brix grades were determined with a
hand refractometer with scale from 0
to 32% (Atago® Master 2311), on each
harvested fruit. Fruit pulp firmness
was measured using a penetrometer
(Extech®, FHT200) placing a plunger
of 8-mm diameter and a 2-cm2 portion
that was removed from the skin on
opposite sides of fruit, averaging the two
measurements in Newtons (N). Phenols
content was quantied according to the
methodology of Esparza-Rivera et al.
(2006) and antioxidant capacity by the
method of Brand-Williams et al. (1995).
Statistical analysis
Analysis of variance and multiple
comparisons (Tukey HSD, p<0.05) were
performed. All analyses were executed
using SAS statistical software v. 9.0.
Pearson correlation analysis (p<0.05)
and simple linear regression were
performed considering as independent
variable the K concentrations.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Fruit average weight and quality
The results of this study indicate
that concentrations of K in the nutrient
solutions signicantly inuenced the
fruit average weight (p<0.05, Table 1);
obtaining the greatest yield those plants
treated with the highest concentrations of
K. These results were expected because
K plays a vital role in the lling of fruits.
There is an increase in requirement for
K during the plant’s production process;
so, when the muskmelon plants of this
experiment received enough K, the
eciency of water was improved by
increasing osmotic pressure of cells,
making them more turgid and increasing
the weight and size of fruits.
The report of Tuna et al. (2010)
indicate an increase in muskmelons fruit
average weight with high concentrations
of K, corroborating results of current
study, due to the deciency or excess
of this macroelement limiting growth
and crop yield (Tang et al., 2012; Hafsi
Increasing doses of potassium increases yield and quality of muskmelon fruits under greenhouse
186 Hortic. bras., Brasília, v.36, n.2, April - June 2018
et al., 2014). However, there is no dose
or unique concentration because of
dierences found in yield, due to dierent
varieties, soil and weather conditions,
crop management (Silva-Dias et al.,
2005), source and method of fertilizers
application (Lester et al., 2010). Fruit
weight showed signicant and positive
correlation with concentration of K in
the nutrient solution; this means that,
fruit weight increases with increasing
K concentrations (Table 2). This
correlation occurred due to the fact
that this element plays a fundamental
function in the lling of fruits, promoting
greater rmness and resistance of the
tissues since potassium is absorbed
in large quantities in crops such as
muskmelon. Similar results reported
Demiral & Köseoğlu (2005).
The fruit polar diameter did not
show significant differences among
concentrations of K, however, the values
varied from highest to lowest as follows:
9>11>7>5 mM of K (Table 1). Although
K increases the weight and size of
the fruits, the increase of fruit polar
diameter was slight with only 4.44% in
9 mM compared to 5 mM of K. The fruit
equatorial diameter showed signicant
dierences among the concentrations
of K (Table 1) and varied from highest
to lowest as follows: 11>9>(7=5). Polar
diameter was equal at 7 and 5 mM of K.
The fruit equatorial diameter increased
9.10% at 11 mM compared to 7 and 5
mM of K. The fruit polar and equatorial
diameters were greatest in those plants
treated with concentrations of 9 and 11
mM of K, respectively. The fruits size in
our study was similar to those reported
by Moreno-Resendez et al. (2010).
The fruit equatorial diameter showed
a signicant and positive correlation with
the concentration of K and increased as
the concentration of K increased (Table
2); nevertheless, correlation among fruit
polar diameter and K concentration was
not signicant. The fruit yield achieved
in those plants treated with 11 mM of
K, exceeds 41% of those obtained in
eld (Camberos & Rios, 2000). This
result confirms that under protected
conditions and using nutrient solutions,
the fruit average weight increases. The
results of present study are consistent
with Preciado-Rangel et al. (2002) who
reported that some muskmelon hybrids,
showed greatest demand of K and that
the dierent hybrids require dierent
nutritional conditions to show their full
potential.
Fruit pulp thickness showed
significant differences among the
dierent concentrations of K getting
the greatest values in those plants treated
with 9 and 11 mM of K (Table 1). Fruit
pulp thickness showed significant
and positive correlation with the
concentration of K in the nutrient
solution, displaying a linear relationship,
because of, increasing K concentrations
Table 1. Eect of potassium (K) concentrations in the nutrient solution, on fruit average weight, polar and equatorial diameter, pulp thickness,
total soluble solids, rmness, phenols content and antioxidant capacity of muskmelon fruits. Mexico, Instituto Tecnológico de Torreón, 2015.
K (mM) Fruit average
weight (kg)
Diameter (cm) Pulp
thickness (cm)
Firmness
(N)
TSS
(°Brix)
Phenols content (mg
equivalent Gallic acid
100 g FB-1)
Antioxidant capacity
(µM equiv
Trolox/100 g FB)
Polar Equatorial
51.01 b 13.50 11.10 b 2.95 b 18.11 b 11.90 b 31.46 b 114.90 c
70.95 b 13.51 11.10 b 2.95 b 18.58 b 11.90 b 30.79 b 162.90 b
91.11 a 14.10 11.70 ab 3.45 a 20.88 b 12.20 ab 33.22 b 191.40 ab
11 1.12 a 13.64 12.11 a 3.12 ab 23.92 a 12.70 a 39.27 a 213.10 a
CV (%) 4.66 3.46 3.84 6.70 4.45 2.87 7.79 8.95
1Data expressed as µM equivalent in Trolox per 100 g. FB= fresh base. Values in each column followed by the same letter(s) are not
signicantly dierent at p≤0,05 (Tukey HSD). TSS= total soluble solids. N= Newtons.
Table 2. Correlation coecient (Pearson), determination coecient and simple linear regression equation among potassium concentrations
(mM) and dependent variables, phenols content, antioxidant capacity, yield, fresh weight, equatorial diameter, pulp thickness, total soluble
solids and rmness of muskmelon fruits. Mexico, Instituto Tecnológico de Torreón, 2015.
Dependent variables Correlation
coefficient (r)
Determination
coefficient (R2)
Simple linear regression
equation
Phenols content 0.72** 0.52 PC=23.34+1.29×K**
Antioxidant capacity 0.93*** 0.86 AC=41.49+16.14×K***
Fresh weight 0.63** 0.39 FW=0.89+0.02×K**
Yield 0.67*** 0.46 Y=5.30+0.13×K***
Equatorial diameter 0.59** 0.34 ED=10.41+0.14×K**
Pulp thickness 0.62** 0.38 PT=2.49+0.08×K**
Total soluble solids 0.67*** 0.45 TSS=11.06+0.13×K***
Firmness 0.90*** 0.81 F=12.49+0.98×K***
Signicance level (p)= **p<0.01; ***p<0.001.
P Preciado-Rangel et al.
187Hortic. bras., Brasília, v.36, n.2, April - June 2018
resulted in fruit pulp thickness increase
(Table 2). These results do not match
with those reported by Silva et al. (2014)
who found a quadratic response for
fruit pulp thickness and a linear trend
in the fruit size caused by increased
fertilization with K.
Pulp firmness showed significant
dierences between K concentrations,
exhibiting greatest value in the
concentration of 11 mM of K (Table
1). Pulp rmness showed signicant
and positive correlation with the
concentration of K in the nutrient
solution, increasing as the concentration
of K increased (Table 2). Also, fruit
firmness showed significant and
positive correlation with total soluble
solids content, because of, as fruit
rmness increases, total soluble solids
content also increase. In this regard,
Lester et al. (2010) indicate that fruit
rmness is correlated with the pressure
potential (ψp) because K increases the
accumulation of sugars (solutes) in
fruits (Ribas et al., 2003). Similarly,
Demiral & Köseoğlu (2005) reported
this positive relationship among fruit
rmness and total soluble solids. From
the commercial viewpoint, when fruit
rmness increases, acceptance of the
muskmelon fruits by the consumer is
improved, because they prefer fruits
with rm pulp instead of soft and watery
(Ribas et al., 2003) being 23.6 Newtons
the optimal value for fruit rmness in
muskmelon (Silva-Dias et al., 2005).
Potassium concentrations in the
nutrient solution, stimulated signicant
differences (p<0.05; Table 1) in the
soluble solids content, getting the
greatest values those fruits from plants
treated with 11 mM of K, validating
the positive eect of K on fruit quality
(Demiral & Koseoglu, 2005; Tang et al.,
2012; Silva et al., 2014). Furthermore,
the content of total soluble solids showed
signicant and positive correlation with
the concentration of K in the nutrient
solution, revealing a linear relationship
caused of increasing K concentrations,
also the content of total soluble solids
increased (Table 2).
The concentration of soluble solids
of fruits harvested from plants treated
with the concentrations of K exceeded
the minimum value (9° Brix) (Table 1)
reported as acceptable in market (Mata
& Mendez, 2009). This conrms that
transport of sugars to fruits was eective
since K has an important role in the
transport of solutes through phloem
(White & Karley, 2010) and these fruits
are considered marketable because total
soluble solids are one of the main quality
criteria for muskmelon fruits (Budiastuti
et al., 2012).
The results showed that the increase
of K concentration, exhibited an increase
in phenols content and antioxidant
capacity, both characteristics showed
greatest values in the concentration of
11 mM of K (p<0.05, Table 1); which
is an advantage since the fruits with
greatest phytonutrients content have
great interest because their consumption
is associated with a lower risk of
cardiovascular diseases and certain
cancers types (Llacuna & Mach, 2012).
The antioxidant compounds are essential
in the nutritional quality of fruits and are
rated an essential factor in determining
their price in the market (Frusciante et
al., 2007). Lester et al. (2010) found that
muskmelon fruits from plants treated
with dierent sources of K had greatest
content of antioxidants compared with
untreated fruits.
The benecial eects of K supplement
to the plant were presumably result of
a combination of an improvement
in the assimilation of CO2, higher
photosynthetic activity and greatest
translocation of photoassimilates
from leaves to fruits, improved water
relations, greater enzyme activity and
substrate availability for the biosynthesis
of bioactive compounds; so the amount
of antioxidants of a plant is also a good
indicator of stress tolerance (Kusvuran
et al., 2012).
Phenols content and antioxidant
capacity showed signicant and positive
correlation with the concentration of K
in the nutrient solution, with a linear
relationship caused by the concentration
of K increased in the nutrient solution;
the values of both variables also
increased (Table 2), demonstrating
that K contributes significantly to
the antioxidant capacity and phenols
content in muskmelon fruits. The
current study demonstrated that the
concentrations of 9 and 11 mM of K
positively influenced the increased
yield and fruit quality of muskmelon.
The best concentration to maximize
yield and quality of muskmelon fruits
was 11 mM of K. Given the linear
trend of all characteristics (except fruit
polar diameter) to increase their values
as concentrations of K increased, it
evidences that the optimal dose of K
in muskmelon is greater than 11 mM,
suggesting, for future research, to
evaluate concentrations of K above 11
mM.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to Lidia Hirales-Lucero,
Pedro Luna-García and Manuel Salvador
Trasviña-Castro for technical support.
Diana Dorantes-Fischer for English
edition is gratefully acknowledged.
The corresponding author is grateful
to Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y
Tecnología (Mexico) by supporting
the modality of sabbatical stays abroad
within the framework of the national
call support for sabbatical stays related
to the consolidation of research groups
and/or strengthening of the national
postgraduate program (2017-I).
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