Effect of Different Doses of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium and Iron for Growth and Yield in Round Gourd (Citrullus Vulgaris)

In round gourd, nitrogen deficiency severely reduced the length of vines, size of the leaves and the number of flowers. High dose of the nurient, on the other hand, increased the length of vine, produced more number of leaves and branches, promoted femaleness and developed larger number of fruits. Deficiencs of phosphorus also caused reduction in vine length and violet streaks appeared on the stem. The treatment showed reduction of male and female flowers and prevented setting of fruits. Treatment with high dose of potassium not only promoted vegetative growth but also increased flowering and fruitset. Deficiency of calcium suppressed plant growth, produced thin and woody stem and the fruits were small in size. The mature leaves of the magnesium deficient plants showed chlorosis, whereas iron deficiency resulted in the formation of thin and yellow stem. Among the three parts of the plant, root, stem and leaf, the latter contained more amount of nitrogen, irrespective of the treatment. Concentration of phosphorus increased under 2P and 1/10 N treatments. Root of round gourd contained greater amount of potassium compared to stem and leaf.