Watermelon is originated in South Africa. It is an important cucurbitaceous vegetable in India. It is an excellent desert fruit and its juice contain 92% water along with proteins, minerals and carbohydrates. In Japan, cubic shape watermelon are popular, they grow watermelon in glass box and give cubic shape. Watermelons are mainly cultivated in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Temperature 20-30°C Rainfall 50-75mm Harvesting Temperature 25-30°C Sowing Temperature 20-25°C

Watermelon grows well in deep fertile and well-drained soil. It gives best result when grown on sandy or sandy loam soil. Soil having poor drainage capacity is not suited for watermelon cultivation. Follow crop rotation as continuous growing of same crop on same field leads loss of nutrients, poor yield and more disease attack. pH of soil should be in between 6-7.

Plough land and bring to fine tilth. In North India, sowing is done February – March month. In North East and West India sowing is done during November to January. Watermelon can be direct seeded or transplant in nursery and then transplanted to main field.

In the North it is sown during middle of January to March and in November to December.

Depending upon sowing method spacing may get vary. In pit method use row to row spacing of 2-3.5m and 60 cm between two plant.

Plant seed about 2-3cm deep.

For sowing different methods of planting like furrow method, Pit method and hill method can be used depending upon climate and season.

Sowing is done on either side of furrows. Sow 3-4 seeds (After germination keep only healthy seedling) at a time and keep plant to plant distance of 60-90cm.

Sow 4 seeds in pit. For that make pit of 60x60x60cm at distance of 2-3.5m between two rows and 0.6-1.2m between plants. Fill pit with well decomposed cow dung and soil. After germination keep only one seedling.

Similar to pit method. In this, pit of 30x30x30cm pits are made at distance of 1-1.5m. Two seeds are sown per hill.

For sowing one acre land, seed rate of 1.5 to 2 kg is required

Before sowing treat seed with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seeds. After chemical treat seeds with Trichoderma viride@4gm per kg of seeds. Dry seeds in shade and then do sowing immediately.

UREA:25 SSP:100 MURIATE OF POTASH:25

NITROGEN:25 PHOSPHORUS:16 POTASH:15

Apply Farm Yard Manure or well decomposed cowdung@8-10tonnes per acre. Apply Nitrogen@25kg, Phosphorus@16kg and Potash@15kg in form of Urea@55kg, Single Super Phosphate@100kg and Muriate of Potash@25kg per acre. Apply whole amount of Phosphorus, Potash and one third amount of Nitrogen before sowing seed. Apply remaining dose of Nitrogen near vines base, avoid touching it and mix well in soil during initial growth period. When crop is of 10-15 days old, for good growth of crop along with good quality, take spray of 19:19:19+Micro-nutrients@ 2-3gm/Ltr of water. Prevent flower drop and increase yield up to 10% take spray of Humic acid@3ml + MAP(12:61:00)@5gm/Ltr of water at flowering stage. Spray Salicylic Acid(4-5 tabs of Aspirin Tablet 350mg)/15Ltr water at initial flowering, fruiting and maturity stage, One or two times with 30days interval. After 55days of sowing spray 13:00:45@100gm + Hexaconazole @250ml/150Ltr water for fast development of fruits and protection against powdery mildew. 65days after sowing to increase in fruit size, sweetness and colour take spray with 00:00:50 @1.5kg/acre using 100gm/15Ltr of water.

Keep bed weed free during early stage of growth. In absence of proper control measures, weed can cause yield loss of 30%. 15-20days after sowing carry out intercultural operations. Depending upon severity and intensity of weeds, two to three weeding are required.

Apply irrigation, every week in summer season. At time of maturity give irrigation only when needed. Avoid over flooding in watermelon field. At time of applying irrigation, should not wet the vines or vegetative parts, especially during flowering and fruit-set. Avoid frequent irrigation in heavy soil as it will promote excessive vegetative growth. For better sweetness and flavour, stop irrigation or reduce watering 3-6days before harvesting.