The effect of different doses of nitrogen and potassium fertilization on yield and macronutrients and micronutrients uptake in grafted watermelon growing in Çukurova region conditions

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of increasing doses of N and K fertilization on a yield, quality and nutrient intake of watermelon plant (Karain) which is one of the most widely cultivated plants in Çukurova Region. In the study, it is found that different N applications were statistically significant in terms of plant parameters measured except the number of knuckles. It is determined that increasing doses of K caused statistically significant differences (p <0.01; 0.05) on other plant parameters other than trunk diameter. Accordingly, it is seen that no statistically significant differences in all parameters result causing by increasing doses of K on the quality parameters of the fruit, whereas increasing doses of N resulted in significant differences on all other fruit parameters except the thickness of the fruit. It is determined that the effect of the applications on nutrient concentrations varies depending on the application doses. According to the data obtained from the study, it is found that the mean values of macro and micro nutrient concentrations in the fruit peel were higher than the mean values of the fruit meat concentrations. As a result of this study; yield, quality and nutrient uptake can increase significantly as plant nutrient levels were optimized in growth environment.