How to do Watermelon Cultivation, Know Complete information

The cultivation of watermelon has been a traditional practice since ancient times. Watermelon, a resilient local species, thrives in the arid and semi-arid regions of the northern and western parts of the country, including Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat. Here, it is often grown alongside rain-fed crops such as millet, guar, moth beans, sesame, on sandy soils. Watermelon cultivation occurs primarily during the monsoon and summer seasons. Remarkably, it demonstrates resilience to dry conditions, yielding plentiful fruits and seeds even in harsh temperatures and challenging climates, thereby proving to be economically advantageous.

Watermelon, scientifically known as Citrullus lanatus, is a seasonal vine plant, also referred to as Matira. In India, its cultivation predominantly takes place in regions surrounding the northern rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Banas, Mahi, Narmada, and southern rivers like the Penar, Kaveri, Krishna, and Godavari, along with their tributaries. Its cultivation is extensive and often integrated with other crops. With the advancement in irrigation infrastructure, its cultivation as a summer crop is gaining momentum. Watermelon serves as a significant summer and monsoon vegetable crop in various states across the country.

Advanced Watermelon Varieties:

HWS-65: Renowned for its superior quality and high productivity, this variety features round fruits adorned with light green stripes. On average, they weigh between 2.5-3.0 kilograms. With each vine yielding 3-4 fruits, the total harvest amounts to approximately 400 quintals per hectare.
HWS RSS-1: Characterized by its large fruits, dark green rind, and absence of stripes, this variety impresses with its size. On average, each plant bears up to 3.0 fruits, weighing as much as 23.0 kilograms. With an average fruit weight of 7 kilograms and a length of 32 centimeters, it stands out for its robustness.
Thar Standard: Derived from the selection process of the HWS-19 watermelon variety, this strain initiates fruit harvesting 75 days after sowing. Each vine yields ripe fruits weighing between 2.6 to 4.2 kilograms, contributing to a total yield of approximately 10-14 kilograms per plant.

Climatic and Soil Requirements for Watermelon Cultivation:

Watermelon cultivation thrives in hot and arid climates. It is grown as a seasonal crop during the months of September to October, with temperatures ranging between 35-40 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius during May and June adversely affect the crop. The optimal temperature for healthy plant growth is between 30-35 degrees Celsius.
For successful cultivation, well-drained sandy loam soil with good water drainage and arid characteristics is suitable. The pH value of the soil ideally falls between 6.0 to 8.5 for optimal growth. During strong winds or storms, the topsoil of the field may erode from one place to another, weakening the soil's fertility.

How to Watermelon Cultivate:

Watermelon cultivation typically involves rain-fed mixed cropping and large-scale methods during the summer season. It thrives in regions with ample rainfall, along riverbanks, or in flat fields. After the monsoon season concludes, small plots are readied by creating small to large pits and ridges. In December, watermelon is sown as part of a mixed crop. It recommended to select flat fields with efficient irrigation systems and nutrient-rich organic fertilizers. In the first week of February, the field should be plowed twice using a harrow and prepared for sowing with a layer of manure. Before the final plowing, organic manure should be applied at a rate of 200-250 quintals per hectare. Employing methods like ridges, pits, trenches, or drip irrigation, the crop should be cultivated in the prepared fields.

Planting Time, Seed Quantity, and Fertilizers:

Watermelon planting can be done from the beginning of the rainy season until the end of July, with mid-June to late July being optimal. If irrigation facilities are available, planting can be done from February 15th to March 15th, while for rain-fed crops, it's advisable to plant between June 15th and July 15th. Fruits can be available in the market from April to October.
For watermelon cultivation, it's essential to have an adequate number of plants per hectare in the field. When planting using pit, trench, or ridge methods, 2.5 to 4.0 kilograms of seeds per hectare are sufficient. About 18-21 days after planting, when 2-4 leaves have emerged, thinning should be done, leaving 1 or 2 healthy plants per planting spot.
To maintain soil fertility in sandy and loamy soil fields for a good watermelon crop yield, apply 200-250 quintals of cow dung manure annually per hectare, or provide 5-6 tractor-trailer loads of sheep or goat manure. Additionally, apply 80 kilograms of nitrogen, and 40-50 kilograms each of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers per hectare.

Read More...  Farmers Can Earn Good Income by Cucumber Cultivation in Polyhouse, Know the Method

Major Pests and Their Control:

1. Aphids: These pests pose a threat to both adult and young watermelon plants. Aphids are small in size and light yellow in color. Their infestation typically begins soon after seed germination. They attach themselves to the underside of leaves and form a web-like structure upon drying.
2. Fruit Flies: These insects deposit eggs inside the fruit pulp, causing damage to the seeds. Severe infestations of fruit flies can lead to significant damage, up to 80-90% of fruits, thus adversely affecting production.
3. Thrips, Whiteflies, Mites, or Color Bugs: These minute insects, often light black in color, feed on the sap of plants. Their presence results in the secretion of shiny substances, leading to the accumulation of black soot on leaves and branches, ultimately causing complete destruction of the crop.

Control Measures:

1. Implement proper crop rotation practices in densely cultivated vegetable fields.
2. Ensure the area surrounding the field is kept clean and devoid of weeds.
3. To control fruit flies, administer a solution consisting of 50 ml of Malathion or 30 ml of Dimethoate per liter of water as a spray during the early stages of fruit development.
4. In the event of a severe aphid infestation, apply 5% Malathion or Carbaryl, or 2% Malathion dust at a rate of 25 kilograms per hectare by spraying the plants in the morning.