Pepino dulce is a new crop in Poland. Its fruit can be harvested at different stages of ripeness. As the majority of vegetables of the family Solanaceae, pepino fruit is abundant in potassium. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing potassium rates and fruit ripeness stages on macronutrient content and ratios in the fruit of pepino dulce cv. Konsuelo. Both experimental factors, i.e. potassium fertilization levels and the degree of fruit ripeness, had a significant effect on the macronutrient content of pepino dulce. The highest total nitrogen, potassium and magnesium levels were noted in the fruit of plants fertilized with potassium at a rate of 2 g per plant, while the fruit of plants fertilized with the lowest potassium rate (1 g per plant) accumulated the highest amounts of calcium. The highest phosphorus content was reported in the fruit of non-fertilized plants. Fully ripe fruit contained significantly more nitrogen and magnesium, while unripe fruit had a higher content of phosphorus, potassium and calcium. A close to optimal Ca:Mg ratio (2.4 on average), a narrow Ca:P ratio (from 0.6 to 1.7) and wide K:Mg (from 16.1 to 28.4), K:(Ca + Mg) (from 3.7 to 7.9) and K:Ca (from 4.5 to 13.6) ratios were observed in all treatments.

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