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  • From: Marty Kraft <martyk AT allspecies.org>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Speaking of sweeter...
  • Date: Mon, 03 May 2004 08:45:06 -0500

Will the foliar spray technique work on tomatoes too?

Marty Kraft

> From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
> Reply-To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 08:22:05 -0500
> To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Speaking of sweeter...
>
> In theory, epsom salts could make melons sweeter because they have a large
> concentration of magnesium (Mg). Mg is an essential element that plays a
> critical role in photosynthesis. Insufficient Mg could lead to limits on
> photosynthesis, which is the process plants use to produce sugar. When melon
> plants are ripening fruit, the sugar from photosynthesis largely moves from
> the leaves into the fruit. However, this is all irrelevant if the soil has
> adequate Mg and the plant is functioning properly. On the other hand, a
> foliar spray of epsom salts (very low concentration) just before fruit
> maturity just might give the plants a boost, resulting in slightly sweeter
> melons. But I don't think it's necessary for sweet melons, nor do I think
> it's organically sound.
>
> Bill Shoemaker
> Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
> Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center





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