FOLIAR DIAGNOSIS - VEGETATIVE INDEX FOR SEVERAL CULTIVARS OF WATERMELON

Monitoring the nutrient status of a crop by tissue analysis is an impo rtant tool in maximizing yields and avoiding nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. Ten cultivars of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Trunb) Man sfield] were grown under the same fertilization regimen throughout the ir growth cycle and were sampled fortnightly in order to determine tot al and soluble macronutrients. Cultivars grown under favourable greenh ouse conditions had different but generally high nutritional requireme nts. The data from total and soluble vegetative index [relation betwee n mobile nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and immobile cal cium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)] were used to distinguish between differe nt cultivars. In every cultivar, soluble vegetative index was high res pect to the total index.