Good agricultural practices of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) – Soil, Climate and Nutrient requirements
Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) fruit has become one of the most preferred fruits in summer season. Muskmelon fruit contains more water content and also rich in Vitamin A and C. In India the muskmelon is cultivated some of the states Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana ,etc. Muskmelon is called with different names in different languages like Muskmelon, Honeydew, melon, cantaloupe, Thalkumbalam Madhuphala, Kharbuja, Kharbooja, Kharbooza, Chibadi, Chibunda, kharmuj, Vrittakarakatali, etc.
Season To Grow Muskmelon
Muskmelon is usually grown from late Novembers to late February and some off-season varieties are also grown by our Indian farmers. Muskmelons can grow better at the temperatures range in between 180C to 25 0C and temperatures below 12 0C the plant growth may be halted with poor performance and muskmelons can withstand upto 45 0C temperature among some varieties.
Varieties Of (Cucumis Melo) Seeds
Muskmelon growing farmers are growing many varieties with different types from many branded seed producers. You can find more click me muskmelon varieties that farmers of India are growing in different geographies.
|
Sl.No. |
Trade Name |
Brand |
Salient features |
|
1 |
NUNHEMS |
· Extremely attractive round with stripes, sturdy, healthy and dense plant. · Madhuras type fruit · Maturity of 55 to 60 days (5 to 7 days earlier than madhuras) · Fruit weight - 1.0 to 1.25 Kgs · Good flesh color and aroma · Mild netted with medium cavity · 12 to 15% TSS |
|
|
2 |
KNOWN YOU Seeds |
· Shape -Globe shaped with smooth, golden-yellow skin, · Weight- about 1-1.5 kg. · Its orange flesh is crispy with brix of 14-16%. · It is early, easy to cultivate and set fruit and can be harvested 70-75 days after sowing. · Season - Late Kharif, Early summer
|
|
|
3 |
|
· Plant is strong with wide adaptability · Rind is buff-yellow with attractive fine nets · Fruit is globe-shaped weighing 1.2-1.5 kg · Flesh is thick, orange, tender, juicy, and rich in aroma · Sugar content is around 12-14% · After sowing, it requires 75-80 days for harvest · 1900 - 2000 seeds per pkt · Season - Late Kharif, Summer |
|
|
4 |
· Plant is vigorous and strong. · Fruit is globe shaped weighing 1.2 to 1.5Kg. · Appearance is attractive buff yellow skin with fine netting. · Flesh is orange, soft and juicy with sweetness & aroma. · It takes 75 to 85 days for harvesting. · It is having good shelf life & transportation as it is late slip-off type. · Suitable temperature is 25 to 35oC. · As the duration is more, need to take for soil & leaf stages especially at later stage of crop life. · Season - Late Kharif, Summer |
||
|
5 |
|
INDO AMERICAN |
· Fruit is medium size, round & closely netted, slightly ribbed with orange skin. · Flesh is thick, deep orange & sweet with good aroma. · The fruit weight-1.8 to 2.0 kg. · Sugar content TSS -12 ⁰ Brix. |
|
6 |
Nirmal Seeds |
· Fruit Weight: 900-1000 g · Flesh Colour: Saffron yellow · Fruit Colour: Yellow with green strips · Attractive fruit colour with uniform size · Less seed cavity with very firm flesh · Very high TSS with excellent taste · Highly tolerant to fusarium wilt disease · Very high yielding hybrid |
|
|
7 |
|
URJA SEEDS
|
· Popular creamish netted color variety · Flesh is orange in color; tolerant to BRIX13 · Ready in 60 to 65 days · Average weight 1.2 to 1.5kg |
Soil Requirements For Muskmelon
Muskmelon crop grows good in different types of soils. The loamy soils are said to be best to grow muskmelons and in sandy type loamy soils the crop may complete early and clay loamy soil the crop may get ready to harvest little late. The best pH range of the soil for muskmelon growing is 5.6 – 6.3.
Nutrient requirements
Muskmelon crop requires all essential nutrients for better performance and higher yields. The requirements of Major nutrients are said to be 70 kg Nitrogen: 50 kg Phosphorous: 70 kg of Potash per acre per crop. Secondary nutrients and micronutrients are also required in certain quantities for muskmelon crop.
Amount and time of application of Nutrients/ Fertilisers
Basal application - Farm Yard Manure/ Compost
Once land preparation is completed, 5 - 6 tonnes of Farm Yard Manure or well decomposed compost pre mixed (*Premix a week before application) with Biofertilizers 5 kg, Trichoderma viride 2 kg; Pseudomonas fluorescens 2 kg & Biofertilisers have to be applied.
Rotovate or cultivate the soil properly to mix the FYM pre mix with soil.
The farm yard manure helps in improving the soil structure, texture, increasing the soil organic carbon content, soil porosity, bulk density, soil microorganisms’ population which leads to the maintenance of proper soil pH and electrical conductivity.
The soil pathogens may also be killed by the Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens culture present in the FYM mix.
Basal application Synthetic fertilisers
|
Sl. No. |
Material/ Trade Name |
Quantity per acre |
|
|
1 |
Neem cake |
250 kg |
|
|
2 |
Diammonium Phosphate |
50 kg |
|
|
3 |
Muriate of Potash |
50 kg |
|
|
4 |
Urea |
25 kg |
|
|
5 |
Micronutrient mixture |
10 kg |
|
|
6 |
Magnesium Sulphate |
25 kg |
|
|
7 |
10 kg |
||
|
8 |
05 kg |
||
Note:
- 5 – 6 days after applying and mixing the FYM premix, synthetic fertilizers have to applied to the soil and properly mixed.
- Ridges and furrows OR raised bunds can be prepared at suitable spacing.
- Farmers who grow with mulch paper, raised bunds may be prepared after mixing the synthetic fertilisers to soil or they may be applied on the raised bed, mixed to the soil on the beds. After that drip lines and mulch may be applied on the bed.
- It is better to irrigate the land 2-3 days before sowing seeds or transplanting for better establishment of the crop.
- Light irrigation is required after sowing or transplanting to maintain the continuous moisture.
Sowing /Planting
Farmers are practicing two types of planting. Direct seed sowing and transplanting pre-raised plants.
Seeds purchased may be soaked in water before sowing for about 1 to 2 hours. Treat the seeds with Metalaxyl 35 %- [Ridomet]- 1 gm per 100 gms seeds before sowing. Sowing the seeds ½ inch depth and then covered by the topsoil.
Spacing in between the plants
The spacing usually followed by farmers to grow musk melons are
- 5 ft [plant to plant] x 3.5 ft [row to row]- 5000 plants or seeds
- 0 ft [plant to plant] x 4.0 ft [row to row]- 3700 plants or seeds
- 5 ft [plant to plant] x 4.5 ft [row to row]- 2765 plants or seeds
Saplings may be also ordered well in advance in the scientifically maintained nurseries where the saplings are raised in protrays with special rooting media and protective structures like poly house or net house. Saplings may also be raised by farmers in protrays with special rooting media provided if one has the facilities. Saplings raised in protrays for better establishment and decreased mortality.
Transplanting
Transplanting is usually done in the evening hours. One seedling is transplanted at the edges of furrows towards the ridges, so that sufficient irrigation or moisture is available to plants.
On the drip irrigation method, the plants are taken out from the cavities of the protrays and transplanted into the pre- punched cavities on the soil. The air bubbles if any must be eliminated during planting by pressing the soil on the roots or sapling root ball. Transplanting tools may also be used for planting the seedlings. Irrigation should be provided immediately to protect the transplants from moisture stress.
The root zone of the saplings transplanted may be drenched in pesticide and fungicide mix Metalaxyl 35 %- [Ridomet]- 0.5 gm/L+ Chlorpyriphos 50 Ec 2 mL/L] to prevent any attack of fungal diseases and insect attack post transplanting.
Gap filling of new plants
The dead plants if any may be uprooted and gap filling can be carried out in evening hours. See that protective irrigation is provided for the new transplants.
Weeding
Manual weeding may be done if required with the small implements and post emergent selective herbicides agil 2 mL/L of water may be sprayed on the weeds ( 1-5 leaf stage) without allowing herbicide spray drift not falling on the muskmelon plants.
Subsequent doses application of nutrients
Subsequent doses application of nutrients differ based on cultivation.
FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FOR NON- DRIP IRRIGATION OR NON - FERTIGATION METHODS.
NUTRIENT RECOMENDATIONS FOR DRIP METHOD OR NUTRIENT APPLICATIONS THROUGH DRIP OR FERTIGATION WILL BE POSTED IN NEXT BLOG
1. Second dose 4 weeks after sowing or transplanting
Calcium Nitrate 15 kg + 12: 32: 16 - 100 kg fortified with general liquid + 25 kg MOP may be applied to soil and covered with soil.
2. Third dose – 7 weeks after sowing or transplanting
Urea - 45 kgs fortified with Bio stimulants + Calcium Nitrate 10 kg per acre + + 25 kg MOP may be applied to soil and covered with soil.
3. Final dose 10 weeks after sowing or transplanting
Ammonium Sulphate 100 kgs fortified with Bio stimulants + Calcium Nitrate 10 kg per acre + 25 kg MOP may be applied to soil and covered with soil.
Harvesting
Muskmelons are usually harvested with average weight and in the plants the green rinds turn to yellow. The stem or petioles of the fruits will have a crack and it is the sign of ripeness.
The picking of the fruit should happen easily from the plant. Properly harvested fruits may be stored for 5-6 days after harvest. Transportation must be planned properly to reduce the damages during shifting.
*****
K SANJEEVA REDDY,
LEAD Agronomist, BigHaat.
Courtesy: Google search
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For more information kindly call on 8050797979 or give missed call on 180030002434 during office hours 10 AM to 5 PM
---------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: The performance of the product (s) is subject to usage as per manufacturer guidelines. Read enclosed leaflet of the product(s) carefully before use. The use of this product(s)/ information is at the discretion of user.
THANK YOU FOR VERY INFORMATIVE DOCUMENTS
Leave a comment