Effects of Nitrogen on Melon (<i>Citrillus lanatus</i>) at Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

SUMMARY Three experiments testing the effects of nitrogen on melon showed significant varietal differences. Nitrogen increased yields by increasing fruits/plant, seeds/fruit and seed weight, had no effect on fruit weight, size and husk, and increased leaf area through leaf number and leaf size. Fruit growth coincided with a rapid decline in leaf area, indicating that the mottled green fruits contributed appreciable assimilates towards their own growth. The implications of the findings, and the inefficiency of the crop in seed formation, are discussed.