Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Semangka (Citrullus Vulgaris Schard) dengan Aplikasi Pupuk Kalium

Abstract

People like watermelon that has good quality, therefore it is necessary to increase the yield and quality of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schard). Efforts that can be made by using potassium fertilizer can improve the quality of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schard). This research was carried out at the Tanjung Selamat Regional Technical Implementation Unit, Pancur Batu subdistrict, Deli Serdang district with an altitude of ± 32 meters above sea level, from July to October 2022, the research used a non-factorial Randomized Completed Block Design, namely Potassium Fertilizer with 6 treatments, namely 0 g/plant, 2.5 L liquid potassium fertilizer/ha, 5 L liquid potassium fertilizer/ha, 7.5 L liquid potassium fertilizer/ha, 3.33 Kg solid potassium fertilizer/ha, 10 Kg fertilizer solid potassium/ha.. The research results of applying potassium fertilizer had a significant effect on all observed parameters. The highest vine length, number of leaves, fruit weight per plant, fruit weight per plot were obtained when applying 7.5 l/ha of liquid potassium fertilizer which was not significantly different from 5 l/ha of liquid potassium fertilizer. Meanwhile, fruit diameter and fruit flesh thickness were the highest at 7.5 l/ha of liquid potassium fertilizer and the thinnest fruit skin was in the treatment of 7.5 l/ha of liquid potassium fertilizer, which was not significantly different from the application of 10 kg/ha of solid potassium fertilizer. However, the highest level of fruit sweetness was applied with 7.5 l/ha of liquid potassium fertilizer and was significantly different from other treatments.