AGRICULTURAL INOCULANTS CORPORATION

“MICROBES AT WORK”

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CULTURAL PRACTICE FOR WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus)

A. Varietal Selection

1. It is recommended to use Sugar Baby var. because of its relatively higher

sugar content, shorter maturity period (normally matures in 70-75 days) and
flexible in terms of soil type. This variety is normally grown between October
and December just after harvesting the wet season crop and before planting
the dry season crop.

B. Site Selection and Soil Type

1. The area to be planted must be accessible to irrigation and not easily water
logged.

2. The type of soil must be from sandy loam to clay loam and essentially free of
nematodes and other harmful pests. If soil has history of harmful pests
fumigate by applying Furadan granules.

3. The optimal pH range is 7.0 +/- 0.5 (slightly acid to slightly alkaline).

C. Land preparation and Planting

1. Dig holes about 30 cm in diameter and 30 cm depth at a distance of 1.5 meters

between hills as well as 1.5 meters between rows. This planting distance
allows for about 4450 holes per hectare.

2. Mix 2.0 bags (100 kg) of Complete fertilizer (14-14-14) and 1.0 bag (50 kg)
of Urea (46-0-0) with 15 bags (750 kg) of organic fertilizer.

3. Put about 200 grams of the fertilizer mixture above in every hole then cover
with 3 to 4 cm soil.

4. Put 3 seeds per hole equidistantly at the center then cover with 3 to 4 cm soil.

5. After planting water the holes with 2 to 3 liters of water. Repeat every other
day until the seeds germinate.
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6. Thin out weak seedlings, leaving only 2 vigorous seedlings per hole, 7 days
after emergence (DAE).

D. Care and Maintenance

1. For effective rat or rodent control apply 1.0 tablespoonful of Biorat (a

biological rodenticide) in places frequented by or in openings made by them
at 5-meter intervals. Place the baits on the side of the levees on in places not
directly exposed to sunlight and slightly cover it with grass or straw. Do not
place in areas where it can be flooded or washed by water. It is preferable to
apply the baits in the afternoon or at dust. Use all the bait once the bag is
opened.

2. Weeding of the area is done at 7 to 14 DAE. Be careful in uprooting the

weeds in the holes.

3. Spray the leaves with 100 ml of foliar fertilizer mixed with 1% of urea (160
grams of urea dissolved in 16 liters of water or the contents of one knapsack
sprayer) at weekly intervals starting at 21 DAE up to 42 DAE.

4. Apply 10 to 15 grams of muriate of potash (0-0-60) fertilizer per hole when

the fruits are 5-6 cm in diameter (baseball size). This translate to about 1.25
bags ( 75 kg) of the fertilizer.

5. Thin out the first deformed fruits and leave only 2 to 3 healthy or vigorous
fruits per plant. It is also advisable to set the fruits on top of hay or straw to
avoid direct contact with the soil.

6. Spray the leaves with 100 ml of foliar fertilizer mixed with 1 % solution of
muriate of potash (160 grams of the fertilizer dissolved in 16 liters of water)
at 49 and 56 DAE.

7. The common pests and diseases of watermelon which can be effectively

controlled are as follows: thrips, aphids and spider mites with Profenofos or
Cypermethrin; ladybird beetle and leafworm with Lannate or Dimotrin 50
WP; downy mildew, fruit rot and leaf spot with Copper fungicide or Dithane
M-45. These crop protection chemicals are compatible with the foliar
fertilizer spray, hence, they can all be mixed together to save on labor.
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8. Watering of the growing plants must be done hole-by-hole at the rate of 2 to 3

liters per hole and as frequent as necessary. It is not advisable to irrigate the
field as it may adversely affect the plants.

E. Harvesting

1. For best eating quality, harvest the fruits upon reaching right maturity period.

2. The fruits are ready for harvest when they produce hallow sounds when thumped
and when the fruits touching the ground have tuned yellowish white.