Nutrients
Melons - Deformation
Symptoms
Fruit shape becomes irregular.
Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency
Another reason for malformed fruit might be nitrogen or boron deficiency.
Phosphorus deficiency made worse by
- Acidic or very alkaline (calcareaus) soils
- Low organic matter
- Cold or wet conditions
- Crops with a poorly developed root system
- Soils with low P reserves
- Soils with a high phosphate capacity
- Iron rich soils
Phosphorus is important for
- Ensuring good start and continued growth for high yield
- Increases fruit set, fruit development and early maturity
