1.1. Weeding and mulching
Watermelon does not require deep intercultural operation. The field may be made weed free by intercultural operations like hoeing and earthing up along with top dressing of fertilizers. Mulching is very useful in preventing the fruits from touching the ground.
1.2. Pollination
Watermelons produce separate male and female flowers. Male flowers are produced initially, followed by production of both sexes usually at a ratio of 1 female to 7 males. Watermelon flowers are viable for only one day hence important to have pollinating insects.
1.3. Irrigation
Although watermelon is a deep-rooted crop able to tolerate a significant degree of soil moisture stress, peak production requires timely irrigation. After crop establishment (either by seed or transplant), irrigation may be withheld for a period of several weeks to encourage deep rooting. However, irrigation should be managed to minimise water stress throughout the fruit set and fruit-sizing periods. Water stress during early fruit development can result in small, misshapen fruit and the occurrence of blossom-end rot (a physiological disorder in which the blossom end of a fruit ceases to grow and becomes dark and leathery). As harvest time approaches care must be taken to avoid large fluctuations in soil moisture content, as heavy irrigation (or rainfall) can result in fruit splitting. Irrigation should be reduced or stopped 7 to 10 days prior to harvest.
1.4. Vine and fruit pruning
Pruning of plants by removing excess shoots (3-4 main shoots) increases yield and quality of fruits. The following method is followed: “The main vine is pinched off after 5 leaves (at 5-7th node). Then almost 15 days after pinching, three to four (3-4) vines are maintained but only 2-3 vines are allowed to have fruits on tertiary vine arising from secondary vine); the remaining vine which is not allowed to have fruits will support the other 2-3 vines to feed their fruits”. To avoid disease spread, do not prune melons when vines are wet.
Thinning of fruits to 2-3/vine results in good sized fruits. Remove malformed and blossom-end rot fruits as and when noticed so as the remained fruits develop properly.
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