1) Botanical Name: Citrullus lanatus
2)
Family: Cucurbitaceae
3)
Chromosome
No: 2n
= 22
4)
Scientific
Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Angiosperm
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus:
Citrullus
5)
Origin:
§ It is a native of tropical Africa.
§ Watermelon is indigenous to tropical
and subtropical Africa. India is considerred as the second home of watermelon.
§ The watermelon is grown many
countries but is more popular in the United States than elsewhere.
§ In India, it has been in cultivation
since long. 'Watermelon is grown in almost all the states in our country except
in north western region.
6)Botany:
§ It
is an annual climbing or creeping herb having large hairy leaves. Its fruits
are generally spherical, oval or elliptical, of varying size and colour.
Flowers are mostly andro-monoecious and sex form is similar in most of the
Indian varieties. Male flowers are borne first in cluster on main as well as
secondary branches while hermaphrodite ones on secondary branches as solitary
ones. Petals start opening from the top between 9 P.M. to 10 P.M. and clear
flowers open from 5:30 to 6:30 A.M. the dehiscence takes place before anthesis.
Anthers dehisce at 21.8oC to 23oC, high fertility can be
observed up to 10 A.M., after which it goes down. At 6 P.M. the fertility is
negligible. The stigma remains receptive for 2 hours before and 2 to 3 hours
after anthesis.
7)
Climatic
requirements:
§ It
can grow well in hot and dry climate where temperature varies from 22oC
to 26oC.
§ Bright
sunny days with high temperature and low relative humidity are best to produce
sweet fruits with less foliar diseases.
§ High
humidity during its growing period may delay ripening and increase incidence of
foliar diseases.
§ It
is very susceptible to frost.
8)
Soil
requirement:
§ It
can be grown on a variety of soils but loam and silt loam soils are found to be
best for better growth and yield.
§ The
soil should be deep, well drained, rich in organic matter, free from hard layer
and exposed to sun.
§ Also,
it does well on the beds of big rivers where soils are sandy with high organic
matter.
§ The
best soil pH is 6 to 6.7.
9)
Water
requirement:
§ Plant
require low saline water,
§ EC
of water should be around 1ds/m,
§ pH
of water should be below 7.0
10)
Land
Preparation:
§ Soil
of greenhouse was ploughed two to three times by using petrol operated power
tiller.
§ 500
kg Neem cake and 3 tonnes of FYM was added in soil before Ploughing.
§ Drenching
of formalin solution was done for soil sterilization. After drenching, soil was
covered with plastic cover for overnight. It avoids infestation of soil borne
diseases and pests.
11)
Bed
Preparation:
§ Soil
was properly leveled before bed preparation. Raised beds of about 50 cm height
and 100 cm width were prepared, keeping 50 cm distances between two beds.
12)
Installation
of Drip Line:
§ Inline
lateral lines were installed in the middle of beds. Distance between 2 drips
was 30 cm and its discharge rate is 2 l/hour. Diameter of riser is 16mm.
13)
Mulching:
§ Covering
of soil with plastic, hay, husk to protect the soil from disease, direct sunlight
and weed is known as mulching.
§ We
have used UV stabilize black and silver plastic mulch of 40 micron thickness.
§ Advantages of Mulching:
1. It
conserves moisture in soil.
2. It
reflects sunlight due to silver colour at upper side of plastic mulch , which
make more availability of sunlight to
the lower surface of leaves .Thus, it
check infestation of sucking pests and increases rate of photosynthesis.
3. It
maintains soil temperature.
4. CO2
will be directly available to plants
5. It
checks weed growth.
6. It
improves soil structure.
7. It
controls erosion.
8. It
improves water infiltration rate.
9. It
avoids competition for nutrient and moisture with main crop by suppressing weed
growth.
§ Disadvantages of Mulching:
1.
It creates high moisture content near root
zone may invite fungus development.
2.
It increases cost of cultivation.
14)Nursery
Management:
i.
Seed
Rate:6 to 8 kg kg per hectare
ii.
Media
Preparation: Seeds of watermelon sown in coco peat
having pH of 6.5 to 7.0 and EC 0.1ds/m.
iii.
Media
Sterilization: Media was treated with carbendazim @ 1 g
/ 1 l of water.
iv.
Plug
tray: Plug tray having 104 holes were used for seedling
raising.
v.
Tray
filling: Tray was filled by fully sterilized coco peat.
vi.
Soaking
of seeds: Seeds of watermelon was soaked in wet muslin cloth
for a night.
vii.
Sowing
of seeds: Seeds of watermelon were sown in tray at 2.0- 2.5
cm depth. Immediately watering was done after sowing of seeds in tray and
treated with 2-3 gmbavistin/ 10 liter water. Seeds germinated within 2 to 3
days.
viii.
Watering:
Daily
watering was done with water cane.
ix.
Plant
protection: Application of Phorat 3G before sowing
of seeds in tray to protect from nematode infestation.
-Application of Tilt (Propiconazole) 5 ml/ 10 liter
of water for controlling leaf miner.
15)
Transplanting:
§ Seedlings
attain two leaf stages after 15 days of sowing. At this stage, seedlings were
transplanted in holes which were prepared on mulched beds by toothed PVC pipe
at the distance of 45 cm.
§ Transplanting
should be done during morning or evening hours followed by frequent irrigation
by water can.
§ Care
should be taken during lifting of seedlings from plastic trays to avoid damage
to roots and other tender parts of seedlings.
§ Immediately
after transplanting application of Humic acid @ 50ml/ 10 liter of water should
done.
16)
Manures
and Fertilizer:
Table Quantity of manures and Fertilizer required
Sr.
no.
|
Manures
/ Fertilizer
|
Kg
/ ha
|
Kg
/ 500 Sq.m
|
Time
of application
|
1.
|
Farm
yard manure
|
200
to 250 quintals/ha
|
10
to 15 quintals/500
Sq.m
|
Basal
|
2.
|
Nitrogen
|
40
kg/ha
|
2
Kg
|
Basal
|
40
kg/ha
|
2
Kg
|
Six
weeks after sowing
|
||
3.
|
Phosphorus
|
50
kg/ha
|
2.5
Kg
|
Basal
|
4.
|
Potash
|
50
kg/ha
|
2.5
Kg
|
Basal
|
17)
Irrigation:
Table Irrigation schedule forwatermelon
Sr.
no
|
Days
after transplanting
|
Irrigation
|
Irrigation
interval
|
1.
|
1 to 15
|
15 minutes / Day
|
2 days
|
2.
|
15 to 30
|
20 minutes / Day
|
2 days
|
3.
|
30 to 60
|
25 minutes / Day
|
2 days
|
4.
|
60 to 75
|
20 minutes / Day
|
2 days
|
18)
Training
and pruning:
§ Training:
Generally watermelon is allowed to spread on soil surface in open field cultivation, but in case of protected cultivation watermelon vines were trained on training structure which was made of GI wires, bamboo poles, plastic thread etc. Watermelon plants were staked with bamboo sticks to avoid bending. Vines of watermelon were trained over trellis, up to the height of 10 feet by providing support of GI wires. This practice was preformed daily to avoid breakage and bending of vines. Fruits of watermelon were hanged on training structure, using plastic thread and plastic net bag.
Generally watermelon is allowed to spread on soil surface in open field cultivation, but in case of protected cultivation watermelon vines were trained on training structure which was made of GI wires, bamboo poles, plastic thread etc. Watermelon plants were staked with bamboo sticks to avoid bending. Vines of watermelon were trained over trellis, up to the height of 10 feet by providing support of GI wires. This practice was preformed daily to avoid breakage and bending of vines. Fruits of watermelon were hanged on training structure, using plastic thread and plastic net bag.
§ Pruning:
Laterals were removed up to 4th leaf stage. The pruned portion was covered with Carbendazim paste to avoid fungal infection. Damaged and infected plant parts were removed. Pinching of main shoot was done to encourage lateral growth.
Laterals were removed up to 4th leaf stage. The pruned portion was covered with Carbendazim paste to avoid fungal infection. Damaged and infected plant parts were removed. Pinching of main shoot was done to encourage lateral growth.
19)
Pollination:
§ Watermelon
plant produce staminate and pistillate
flowers.50% flowers are imergence complete one month after sowing. First female
flower emergence start at six to seventh node on watermelon plant. In case
protected cultivation there is great of hand pollination or installation of bee
hives for successful pollination. Which will be resulted into highest
percentage of fruit setting, but hand pollination is better than bee hives,
because honey bees are highly susceptible to application of insecticides and
fungicides
§ Anthesis
continues from 6 to 7.30 a.m. the dehiscence starts one hour before anthesis
and countinuesupto 6.30 a.m. pollination between 7.30 to 8.30 a.m. because
maximum fruit was recorded in first hour after anthesis and minimum two hour
before anthesis. Usually native or local bees are sufficient to provide
adequate pollination for watermelon bees are not active during cloudy days or
rainy weather.
§ One
active hives should pollinated 8 to 12 acre of watermelons. Since bees
pollinate early in the morning and melons flowers typically close so that spray
material will cause injury to bees. (Generally in evening time).
§ Regarding
use of plant regulators in watermelon application of 2,4,5 -tri-iodo-benzoic
acid at 25-50 ppm once or twice at the two leaf stage and again at four-leaf
stage induces more number of female flowers. It increases fruit set and
ultimately gives a 50% more yield than untreated plants. Apart from this, boron
and molybdenum at 3 ppm and calcium at 20 ppm are also very effective.
20)
Fruit
set:
§ Fruit
set takes place after 2 days of pollination. Unfertilized female flowers become
yellow and drop down.
21)
Physiological
disorder:
1) Blossom
End Rot
§ Blossom-End Rot (BER) is a
physiological or non-parasitic disorder related to calcium deficiency, moisture
stress or both. Prevention recommendations include adequate amounts of calcium,
proper soil pH (6 to 6.5), and a uniform and sufficient supply of moisture. The
incidence of BER usually is quite variable from season to Commercial
Watermelon Production season and tends to occur more readily in oblong
melons. Watermelons having BER are considered unmarketable.
2)
Hollow heart and white heart:
§ HH&WH are two physiological disorders influenced by
genetics, environment and, probably, a number of nutritional factors. To
decrease the incidence of these two problems, only cultivars that have not
shown unusually high incidences of HH or WH should be planted. In addition, the
crop should be grown under optimal (as close as possible) nutritional and
moisture conditions. HH and WH harm watermelon quality and may be severe enough
to cause potential buyers to reject melons.
3)
Sunscald:
§ Sunscald is damage to the melons
caused by intense sunlight. Sunscald can be particularly severe on dark colored
melons. Developing and maintaining adequate canopy cover to afford protection
(shade) to the melons may prevent sunscald. Sunscald reduces quality by making
melons less attractive and may predispose the melon to rot.
4)
Stem Splitting:
§ Stem Splittingcan occur in seedlings
grown for transplanting. This problem seems to be associated with high humidity
and moisture that can occur under greenhouse conditions watering evenly to
maintain soil moisture, avoiding wet-dry cycles in the media and good air
circulation may help alleviate these problems.
22) Harvesting
and Yield:
§ It
is very important that watermelons should be at the proper stage of maturity
when they are harvested. Size of the fruit and the colour of the rind are not
good indicators to know the proper stage. Change of colour of the portion of
the fruit which rests on the ground is a useful guide, the colour changes from
white to creamy yellow at maturity. A metallic sound when the melon is tapped
denotes immaturity whereas a heavy dull sound indicates ripeness.
§ The
drying of the tendrils at the stem is also a sign of maturity. The smooth
appearance and the total absence of hair on the stem which attaches the melon
to the vine is also taken as a sign of maturity. However, the knack of
recognizing a ripe melon comes with experience.
§ The
average yield of watermelon is varying from 4.5 to 5 tonnes per500 Sq.m in
greenhouse cultivation.
23)
Harvesting tech:
The
stem is cut so that .5 inch if the stem is left on the fruit during harvesting
and two to five harvesters through a field might be necessary.
24)
Post-harvest
handling:
Care shouldbe taken during all post-harvest
operations.
i. Sorting: Removal
of deformed, damaged, infected fruits from a lot.
ii. Grading: Grading
should be done according to size, shape, weight of fruit, colour, etc.
iii. Packaging:
watermelons are packed in gunny bags and in baskets for local market and
distance market.
iv. Storage: When
harvested ripe and handled carefully watermelons keep well for one to three
weeks at 2.2o C to 4.4o C and 80-85% relative humidity.
They can be shipped to long distances, even without refrigeration. Colour,
sugar content and flavor, the chief attributes of a ripe watermelon don't
increase appreciably after it has been picked but there is a gradual softening
of the pulp around the seed.
v. Transportation:
The fruits can be loaded in trucks or cart as such or after filling in gunny
bags. If they are loaded as such, a 15 cm thick layer of straw should be put on
the bottom of the truck or cart, sent to market.
vi. Marketing: There
is strong demand of fresh watermelon fruits in many countries. People like to
consume watermelon fruits during off season, even by paying more money. Market
value also depends upon consumer demands.
25) Nutritive Value:
The nutritive value of watermelon in 100
gm edible portion is given here in table.
Table
Nutritive value of watermelon (per l00gms edible portion)
Sl.
No
|
components
|
Content
|
1
|
Moisture
|
95.8
gm
|
2
|
Protein
|
0.2
gm
|
3
|
Fat
|
0.2
gm
|
4
|
Minerals
|
0.3
gm
|
5
|
Carbohydrate
|
3.3
gm
|
6
|
Fibre
|
0.2
gm
|
7
|
Calcium
|
11.00
mgs
|
8
|
Magnesium
|
13.00
mgs
|
9
|
Phosphorus
|
12.00
mgs
|
10
|
Oxalic
acid
|
11.00
mgs
|
11
|
Iron
|
1.90
mgs
|
12
|
Sodium
|
27.3
mgs
|
13
|
Potassium
|
160
gm
|
14
|
Thiamine
|
0.02
mgs
|
15
|
Riboflavin
|
0.04
mgs
|
16
|
Nicotinic
acid
|
0.1
mgs
|
17
|
Vit.
C
|
1.00
mgs
|
18
|
Calories
|
16
KCl
|
26) Aftercare:
§ Watermelons do not require much
attention on intercultural. In early stage the beds and ridges should be kept
weed-free.
§ At the time of topdressing of
nitrogenous fertilizer, weeding and earthing-up are done.
§ When the vines start spreading,
weeding in between rows or ridges becomes neither necessary not feasible since
vine growth can smother the weeds.
§ Vigorously growing weeds should
be manually pulled out, without disturbing vines at later stages.
§ Watermelon is also sensitive to weeds
in initial stages of plant growth. Yield losses up to 30% have
been observed due to weeds.
§ To reduce these losses, intercultural
operations need to be started 15-20 days after sowing.
§ Depending upon soil and environmental
factors, 2-3 weedings would be required.
§ Use of herbicides for weed control in
watermelon is a common practice in developed.
§ In India, Simazine, Alachlor,
Dichlormate, Propanil and Butachlor as post sowing and pre-emergence treatments
are effective.
§ However, Butachlor @ 2.0 kg/ha and
Ttrifluralin @ 1-2kg/ha are also effective.
27)
Plant
Protection:
Table Insect-Pest and their management
No
|
Name
of Pest
|
Symptoms
and damage
|
Management
|
1
|
Fruit Fly
(Bactroceracucurbitae)
|
Rotting of young fruit/ ripening fruit
|
-Fruit fly trap
-Foliar spraying of Fenthion (0.05%)
with 5% jiggery at fruit formation.
|
2
|
Serpentine leaf miner
(Liriomyzatrifolli)
|
Mines have serpent shape with small
larvae on the leaves
|
-NSKE (4%) or Triazophos (0.05%) once
in a 3 weeks
|
3
|
Blister beetle
(Mylabrispustulata)
|
Bright coloured beetles feed on flower
|
Collecting and destroying flying adult
is best and economical
|
4
|
Aphids
(Aphis
gossypii)
|
Colony of aphids on tender leaves,
flower buds etc can be seen
|
As and when observed spray
Phosphamidon, Dimethoate and Oxymethyldemeton(0.05%) alternately
|
5
|
Mite
(Tetranychusneocaledonicus)
|
Colonies of mites on ventral leaf
surface beneath silken web
|
Spray Dimethoate/ Ethion (0.05%) or
wettable sulphur (0.2%)
|
6
|
Thrips
(Thrips
tabaci)
|
It’s found on tender leaves which
later curl inside.
|
SprayPhosphamidon, Dimethoate (0.05%)
or application of neem cake (500kg/ha)
|
7
|
Leaf eating caterpillar
(Margorinaindica)
|
Long shining caterpillars feed on
leaves. Pupae in silken cocoons can be seen
|
Give one spray of Quinalphos or Chlorpyriphos
(0.05%)
|
Disease of
water melon and their management
No
|
Name
of Disease
|
Management
|
1
|
Powdery mildew
(Erysiphecichoracearum)
|
-Spray Dinocap (0.1%) or wettable
sulphur (0.2%) or calixin(0.05%) 2-3 times at 10 days interval
|
2
|
Anthracnose
(Colletotrichumlagenarium)
|
Spray Mancozeb or Hexacap (0.25%) or
Carbendazim (0.1%) at 15 days interval
|
3
|
Yellowing of leaves
|
Spraying of Cymoxanil 8 % + Mancozeb
64 %( Curzate M8) @ 25gm/15lt
|
4
|
Soil borne disease.
|
Drenching of Carbendazim 50 %
(Bavistin) @ 1g /1l water.
Drenching of COC 80% (Blue copper) @
20g/15l water.
Drenching with Dithane M 45(Mancozeb).
|
6
|
Collar rot
|
Drenching of Carbendazim 50 %
(Bavistin) @ 1gm/1lt water.
Spraying of Carbendazim 50 %
(Bavistin).
Soil application of Triochoderma dust.
@ 1 kg / 610 sqm.
|
7
|
Viral disease
|
Control Vector
|
8
|
Bacterial Disease
|
Streptomycin @ 1-2 g in 10 liter of water
|
28)
Maturity
indices:
§ The
fruits fully mature on the vine should be harvested to obtain best quality.
Varieties may differ in certain characters to indicate the maturity.
§ The
TSS range of 11-17% was observed.
§ Fruits
were ready to harvest after 30 to 40 days after pollination.
i.
Aroma:
Ripened fruits usually emit a nutty pleasant flavour.
Ripened fruits usually emit a nutty pleasant flavour.
ii.
Softening
of the rind:
The softening of rind can be observed by pressing
the fruits with the fingers. There is change in rind colour, generally from
green to light green or yellowish, depending upon the variety. Shining surface
of the rind is also indication of ripening.
iii.
TSS:
The TSS of ripened fruit is much more than that of
unripenedfruits. The TSS of ripened fruits varies from 10 to 18 % depending
upon the variety.
iv.
Abscission
layer: The abscission layer forms at the junction of fruit
and vine attachment. When the fruits ripening sugar percentage in the fruits
reaches its maximum level. At this time the fruits can easily be separated out
from the vine. This indicates the fruits maturity and the stage is known as
“Full slip stage”.
29)
Time
of Harvesting:
§ Fruit
should be harvested during cooler hours of day during evening or morning time.
30)
Yields:
§ Yield
depends upon the variety, type of soil and management practices followed for its
cultivation.
31)
Post-harvest
handling:-
Care should be taken during all post-harvest
operations.
vii. Sorting:
Removal of deformed, damaged, infected fruits from a lot.
viii. Grading:
Grading should be done according to size, shape, weight of fruit, colour, etc.
ix. Packaging: Watermelonis
packed in gunny bags and in baskets for local market and distance market.
x. Storage:
Watermeloncan be stored for 2-3 days if they have reach full slip stage. Period
of storage can be increased by lowering the storage temperature to 0°C at
80-90% relative humidity.
xi. Transportation:
The fruits can be loaded in trucks or cart as such or after filling in gunny
bags. If they are loaded as such, a 15 cm thick layer of straw should be put on
the bottom of the truck or cart, sent to market.
xii. Marketing:
There is strong demand of fresh watermelon fruits in mega malls. People like to
consume watermelon fruits during off season, even by paying more money. Market
value also depends upon consumer demands.
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