The Effect of Pruning and Applying Mutiara NPK Fertilizer on Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Production

Abstract

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is one of the horticultural commodities that has a fairly high economic value. The NTT Provincial BPS noted that in 2021 watermelon production decreased due to many obstacles, therefore efforts were made to prune plant branches and provide Mutiara NPK fertilizer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pruning and Mutiara NPK fertilizer treatments on watermelon production. The research design used was a factorial Randomized Block Design (RAK), Factor I: Pruning, P0 = No pruning, P1 = Pruning (secondary branches on all primary branches), Factor II: NPK fertilizer, N0 = Dose, NPK 1 gr/plant at 2, 3 and 4 MST, N1 = NPK Dose 2 gr/plant at 2, 3 and 4 MST, N2 = NPK Dose 3 gr/plant at 2, 3 and 4 MST. The results obtained: (1) Pruning and NPK fertilizer treatments have a very significant effect on watermelon plant yields. (2) Pruning treatment and a dose of NPK fertilizer of 3 grams per plant provided the best watermelon plant growth and yield with a watermelon vine length of 81.63 cm, number of leaves of 23.73 strands, fruit weight of 87.67 grams and fruit diameter of 32.067 cm.