Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L) is a popular summer fruit crop, cultivated by farmers in India. It is a warm-season crop known for its unique flavour and taste, high water content, and cooling effect on the body. They are rich in rich in Vitamin A and C. In India, Muskmelon is mainly grown in Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. India is the 3rd largest producer of muskmelon in the world after China and Turkey.

Season and Climate:  

The muskmelon growing season in India is mainly from November to February. The ideal temperature for germination is 23 - 25°C, and optimum temperature required for its growth and fruit development is around 20 - 32°C.

 

High temperature and low humidity during ripening improve fruit sweetness and aroma. The crop tolerates drought but is sensitive to frost. High humidity can increase disease incidence like downy mildew and anthracnose.

Muskmelon Seed Varieties:

Varieties/Hybrids	Features
Madhuraja Muskmelon	Madhuras type fruit Maturity: 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 fruits with medium cavity 12 to 15% TSS
Urja Kajri Muskmelon	Flesh is orange in color; tolerant to BRIX13 Ready to harvest in 60 to 65 days Average weight 1.2 to 1.5kg Approximate seeds count - 100
Mridula Muskmelon	This variety is prolific and early Round fruit with light yellow skin Average fruit weight: 1.5 - 2 kg Fruit harvesting: 40 days after flowering Flesh is white, tender & very sweet with aroma & unique taste
Urja US-111 Muskmelon	Flesh is orange in color; tolerant to BRIX13 Ready in 60 to 65 days Average weight 1.2 to 1.5kg Approx seeds count - 50
NS 910 Muskmelon	Relative days to maturity (DS) - Green: 60 - 65  Fruit size (kg): 1.5 - 2.0  Fruit shape: Oval Netting on fruit: Good Flesh colour: Deep salmon Flesh texture: good Seed cavity: small TSS %: 13 - 14
Sanvi Muskmelon	Shape: Globe shaped with smooth, golden-yellow skin Weight: About 1-1.5 kg Its orange flesh is crispy with brix of 14-16% Early maturing, easy to cultivate and set fruit and can be harvested 70-75 days after sowing Season - Late Kharif, Early summer
Rudraksh Arjun Muskmelon	Orange sweet flesh Sugar content: 13 - 15 % Hard net outer skin Shape/Size: Round  Weight: 1.5 - 2.5KG Maturity: 65 - 70 DAYS Yield: Approximately 20 - 25 tons/acre
FB Misthan  F1 Hybrid Muskmelon	Fruit flesh: Dense netting with orange flesh, with aroma and sweet in taste TSS: 12 - 15% Fruit weight: 1 - 2 kg Days to first harvest: 70 -75 Days for Maturity After Transplanting Good tolerance against Fusarium & diseases caused by viruses, Good for Long Transport

Soil requirement:

A well-drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter is best for muskmelon cultivation. The soil pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5. Muskmelon is slightly tolerant to soil acidity but cannot tolerate soils with high salt concentration. Light soils support early maturity, while heavy soils promote good vine growth but delay the crop maturity.

Seed rate:

400 - 600 gm/acre 

Methods of Sowing and Planting: 

• Sowing is generally done from October to November in the southern and central parts of India. Seeds are soaked in water for 12-24 hours before sowing to improve germination.
• Muskmelon seeds are sown in pits and raised beds while in riverbed cultivation, they are sown in trenches. 
• Before sowing, treat the seeds with Trichoderma viride at 1.25 gm/lit water or Pseudomonas fluorescence at 5 - 10 ml per 50 ml of water or Metalaxyl 4% + Manconzeb 64% WP at 1-1.5 gm/ liter of water. 
• Seedlings raised in polythene bags matures 15 to 20 days earlier compared to direct seeded crops.

1.Pit Method  

• Pits of about 60 cm wide, 60 cm long and 45 cm deep are to be dug out. Pits should be spaced at about 1.5 - 2 m apart.
• Fill them with FYM or well-decomposed compost.
• Sow 5 - 6 seeds in each pit with a depth of 1 - 1.5 cm.
• Cover the seeds with soil. After establishment, only 2 or 3 plants in each pit will be allowed to grow while rest others will be uprooted.

2.Raised bed

• Prepare beds of 3 - 4 meter wide.
• Sow 2 seeds/hill on both sides of the beds at 60 cm distance between hills.

3.Polybags

• The polythene bags of 15cm x 10cm size punched at base should be filled with equal proportion of soil:FYM or soil:FYM:silt (in case the soil is sandy).
• Seeds should not be sown deeper than 1.5 cm.

4.Protrays

• Seedlings can be raised in protrays under protected conditions.
• Protrays having 98 cells can be used.
• 1 - 2 seeds can be sown per cell.

Field Preparation:

The Main field should be ploughed to fine tilth, and long channels should be formed 2.5 m apart. 

Spacing:

Place the seedlings about 2-3 feet apart in rows that are 5-6 feet apart. 

Transplanting:

• Transplant the seedlings of 20 - 30 days old with at least 2 - 3 true leaves. 
• Seedling is transplanted at the edges of furrows or lower half height of the ridge, so that sufficient irrigation or moisture is available to plants. Irrigation is done immediately after transplanting.  

Manures and Fertilizers: 

Farmyard manure and neem cake can be applied at the time of land preparation. Half dose of N, full dose of P & K can be applied as basal, while the remaining N can be applied at the time of earthing up at 4 weeks after sowing. Application of micronutrients promotes plant growth, increases fruit yield, flesh and thickness of rind.

 

The general dose of fertiliser recommendation for muskmelon is 32:24:12 kg/acre.

Nutrient Type	Fertilizer	Dosage (per acre)
Organic	FYM	8 ton
	Neem cake	40 kg
Biofertilizer	Azospirillum (Sun Bio Azos)	Seed treatment: 10 ml of Sun Bio Azos + cold jaggery solution (per kg seed) Soil application: 1 lit Sun Bio Azos with 50–100 kg FYM/compost Drip: 5–10 ml/lit water
	Phosphobacteria (Sun Bio Phosi)	Soil application: 10 ml Sun Bio Phosi + 50–100 kg manure Fertigation: 1–2 lit
Nitrogen (N)	Urea	70 kg
	Ammonium sulphate	156 kg
Phosphorus (P)	Single Super Phosphate	150 kg
	Double Super Phosphate	75 kg
Potassium (K)	Muriate of Potash	20 kg
	Sulphate of Potash	24 kg
Micronutrient	Gassin Pierre Green Label Magnesium (Mg 2%, S 5%)	2–3 ml/lit water
	Boron 20	1 gm/lit water

Irrigation: 

Proper irrigation is important for muskmelon. Light and frequent watering is needed during early growth stages. The first irrigation can be delayed if the soil has sufficient moisture. For a transplanted crop, irrigation is done immediately after planting, followed by irrigation at weekly intervals. Irrigation can be done when it is necessary at the time of fruit maturity i.e., when withering is seen on the veins in the morning,  as excess water reduces sweetness. A total of 7-11 irrigations may be required for the whole crop season depending on the soil type and growing season. 

‘Drip irrigation’ is recommended for better quality of fruit, minimizing disease and weed infestation and for water conservation.   

Intercultural operations:

1.Weeding:

• To control weeds, flooding of the field should never be allowed. If possible, drip irrigation can be installed
• During early growth stages, the field should be kept free from weeds
• Weeding and earthing up should be done when N is applied as top dressing
• During the initial stages of vine growth, light hoeing is recommended.

2.Mulching:

Mulching can be done with straw mulches so that fruits do not come in contact with water.

3.Pruning:

Remove the secondary shoots up to the 7th node on the main stem to improve plant growth and fruit set. Pruning helps to improve yield and fruit quality.

Use of Plant Growth Regulators (PGR):

Stages of Application: Vegetative, flowering and fruit development stage (Also refer to the product label before application) 

Product name	Content	Dosage	Benefits
Isabion Bio stimulant	Amino acids and nutrients	Foliar: 2ml/litre water	Promotes root growth and vigorous development of the buds, induces a greater flowering  Helps in pollination and good early fruit set.  Improves the quantity and quality of the harvest
Hoshi Sumitomo	Gibberellic Acid 0.001% L	1.25 ml/lit water	Reduces flower and fruit drop  Stimulates flower production, enlarges fruit, and boosts crop yields
Katyayani Alpha Naphthyl Acetic Acid	Alpha Naphthyl Acetic Acid 4.5% SL	1 – 1.5 ml/4.5 lit water	Induces flowering  prevents shedding of flower buds and unripe fruits  Helps in enlarging fruit size, increasing and improving the quality and yield of fruits

Plant protection:

Management of Pests in Muskmelon:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage
Fruitfly
Tapas fruit fly trap	Pheromone lure	6 – 8 per acre
Coragen Insecticide	Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC	0.3 ml/lit
Aphids and Thrips
T.Stanes Nimbecidine	Azardiractin 300 PPM	6 ml/lit water
Polytrin C 44 EC Insecticide	40% (Profenofos) + 4% (Cypermethrin) EC	2 ml/lit water
Sivanto Bayer Insecticide	Flupyradifurone 17.09% SL	2 ml/lit water
Leaf miner
Econeem Plus	Azadiractin 10000 PPM	1.5 – 2.5 ml/lit water
Voliam Targo	45 gm/l Chlorantraniliprole + 18 gm/l Abamectin	1 ml/lit water
Benevia Insecticide	Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD	1.7 to 2.0 ml/lit water

Management of Diseases in Muskmelon:

Product name	Technical content	Dosage
Downy mildew
Anant Dr.Bacto’s Fluro (Bio fungicide)	Based on Pseudomonas fluorescence	2.5 ml/lit water
Flick Super Insecticide	Dimethomorph 12 % + Pyraclostrobin 6.7 % WG	3 gm/lit water
Zampro Fungicide	Ametoctradin 27% + Dimethomorph 20.27% SC	1.6 – 2 ml/lit water
Anthracnose
Econeem Plus	Azadiractin 10000 PPM	1.5 – 2.5 ml/lit water
Bavistin Fungicide	Carbendazim 50% WP	0.6 gm/lit water
Kocide Fungicide	Copper hydroxide 53.8% DF	2 gm/lit water
Wilt
Econeem Plus	Azadiractin 10000 PPM	1.5 – 2.5 ml/lit water
Roko Fungicide	Thiophanate Methyl 70% WP	0.5 gm/lit water
Powdery mildew
Vanproz V-Kure Fungicide Plus Bactericide	Eugenol, Thymol, potassium salts, cationic surface agent, sodium salts & preservatives	1.5 – 2 gm/lit water
Flick Super Insecticide	Dimethomorph 12 % + Pyraclostrobin 6.7 % WG	3 gm/lit water
Merivon Fungicide	Fluxapyroxad 250 G/L + Pyraclostrobin 250 G/L SC	0.4 – 0.5 ml/lit

Harvesting: 

1.Half-slip stage

Fruits are not fully ready for table use, but are good for distant market use. Slight pressure is required to harvest fruit from the stem

2.Full –slip stage

Fruits are completely ready for table use and also best for local market. Pressure is not required to separate fruit from the stem

3.Musky flavour

On ripening, the fruits produce a pleasant musky flavour

4.Change in colour

At the fruit ripening stage, the rind becomes soft, fruit skin colour changes from green to yellow

5.Full netting

On the fruit surface, a net-like structure is developed.

Storage: 

Muskmelons are perishable fruits and can be stored in room temperature only for 2 - 4 days. It can be stored in a cold store at 2-4°C and 85 - 90% relative humidity for 2 - 3 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best season for muskmelon cultivation in India?

The muskmelon growing season in India is mainly from November to February, depending on region and climate.

How much seed is required for muskmelon farming?

About 400–600 grams of muskmelon seeds per acre is required. Use healthy, treated seeds to ensure better germination and uniform plant growth.

How often should irrigation be done in muskmelon?

Light and frequent irrigation is needed in early stages. Later, watering should be reduced during fruit maturity to improve sweetness and quality.

What is the ideal spacing for muskmelon plants?

Maintain 2–3 feet between plants and 5–6 feet between rows for proper growth, airflow, and better yield.