RESPONSE OF SOME MELON CULTIVARS TO POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION RATE AND ITS EFFECT ON PRODUCTIVITY AND FRUIT QUALITY UNDER DESERT CONDITIONS

This investigation was carried out at Wadi El-Natrown Farm, Agric. Res. Station, Fac. Agric., Cairo University, Beheira Governorate, Egypt, during 2012 and 2013 autumn seasons. Two cultivars viz., Visa (Galia type) and Magenta (Charantais type) were used in this study under three treatments rates of potassium, viz., 100, 150 and 200 kg/fed. There were significant differences between treatments for the measured traits. The treatment of 150 and 200 kg/fed. had the best results for the measured vegetative growth, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant, and the highest crop yield for both cultivars.