Nutrients

P Phosphorus
Ca Calcium

Melons - Hollowness

Symptoms
A lack of Ca causes hollow fruit centers. The seed will be moving around during transport, thereby bruising the flesh.

Reasons
Calcium deficiency on the fruit Over-large fruit may show hollowness as well.

Melons - Rot

Symptoms
As a result of BER, older fruit develop brown crust-like lesions at the blossom end of the fruit. BER may cause the loss of young fruit.

Reasons
Calcium deficiency (BER) Blossom End Rot (BER) is often caused by lack of calcium in the flower-end of the fruit. It is worse when lack of moisture or use of saline irrigation water restricts calcium uptake.

Melons - Cracking

Symptoms
External splitting of fruit skin.

Reasons
Calcium deficiency Cracking of melon fruit can also be caused by unsteady water supply, inadequate potassium uptake or generally inbalanced nutrition.

Melons - Cracking

Symptoms
Splitting of fruit skin and flesh.

Reasons
Calcium deficiency Cracking of melon fruit can also be caused by unsteady water supply, inadequate potassium uptake or generally inbalanced nutrition.

Calcium deficiency made worse by

  • Acidic soils
  • Sandy or light soils (leaching)
  • Acid peat soils
  • Soils rich in sodium
  • Soils rich in aluminium
  • Drought conditions
  • Fruit high in nitrogen or potassium
  • Large fruit

Calcium is important for

  • New root growth
  • Proper development of leaves and fruit
  • Prevention of post harvest decay