Abstract

SAMPAIO DE ARAUJO, Humberto et al. Physico-chemical characteristics of zucchini fruits as a function of potassium top dressing levels. rev.colomb.cienc.hortic. [online]. 2014, vol.8, n.2, pp.230-241. ISSN 2011-2173.

Potassium is considered by many researchers as the nutrient responsible for fruit quality. However, there are few studies on it. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium topdressing levels on the physicochemical characteristics of zucchini fruits (Cucurbita pepo L.), hybrid Aline. Five treatments (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 kg ha^-1 of K₂O topdressing) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Soon after the fruit harvest, the following fruit characteristics were evaluated: macronutrient content, hydrogen potential (pH), total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/TTA ratio, percentage of reducing sugars and texture. The potassium content, pH, and TSS/TTA ratio increased in the fruits as the level of potassium increased; whereas, the TTA was reduced. The other characteristics were not influenced by the potassium levels.

Keywords : Cucurbita pepo; nutrient content; total soluble solids; pH; total titratable acidity; texture.

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