PACKAGE OF PRACTICES OF MUSKMELON

Introduction:

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) also known as nutmeg melon or kharbooj is crop of Cucurbitaceae family. Among the cucurbits, muskmelon is known for its unique flavor and taste. Muskmelon is rich in vitamin A and C. It is composed of 90% water and 9% carbohydrates. Monoecious or andro-monoecious vines are existing in muskmelon crop. Muskmelons grows best in well-drained loamy to sandy loamy texture of soil. The optimum temperature for its growth is 20-25 ℃. Muskmelon is a summer crop can be cultivated in kharif and rabi season. Muskmelon have medicinal and nutritional properties it contains ascorbic acid, carotene, folic acid, potassium, other bioactive substances. hence it is getting commercial value. It is an important dessert fruit  because Advances in muskmelon production techniques increase the production and quality. Mulching, fertigation, off-season production,high keeping quality are the major technical advances.

Soil and climate

Soil:
It grows well in deep fertile, well-drained, loamy to sandy loamy texture of soil having pH between 6-7.5. Muskmelon cultivation is not suitable for soil with inadequate drainage capability. Early crop can be achieve on lighter soils (Sandy or sandy-loam) whereas heavier soils(clay-loam) gives high yields but in later-season. 

Climate:
Muskmelon is a hot and dry season crop. Plant growth severely retarded at low temperature below 12°C. While, plants can easily with stands to very high temperatures up to 40 °C. Muskmelon cannot tolerate heavy frost. Plants shows sever mortality due to frost and high humidity it reduces plant growth, affect fruit quality adversely and promote leaf
diseases.

Season:

Muskmelon is a summer crop can be cultivated in kharif and
rabi season. Sowing time varies according to region in North
India sowing time is December-January in river beds and
February in Plains. While in South India October-November
planting is favorable and for offseason early production
September planting is done.

Seed rate:

About1.5 to 2kg seeds is required for one hectare for open pollinated varieties where as, for F1hybrids is about 500-800 g per hectare.

Methods of Sowing and Planting:

Muskmelon is direct seeded and transplanted. Seeds are sown in pits and on raised beds while in river bed cultivation seeds are sown in trenches.The pits of the dimension, 60 cm x 60 cm and 45 cm depth are dug at distance of 150 – 200 cm between channels and 60 – 90 cm
apart from hills. Generally, 5-6 seeds are sown in each pit
at a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Later on, when the plants are well
established, only 2 or 3 plants in each pit are allowed to grow
and the rest are uprooted.

Application of fertilizers: 

Apply FYM 20 t/ha, NPK 40:60:30 kg/ha as basal and N @ 40 kg/ha 30 days after sowing. Apply Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria @ 2 kg/ha and Pseudomonas @ 2.5 kg/ha along with FYM 50 kg and neem cake 100 kg before last ploughing.

Water management:

Flowering, fruit setting and fruit development are the important crop growth stages for irrigation. Irregular irrigation during these stages causes flower and fruit drop, fruit cracking. During the summer, irrigation interval is reduced to 4 to 6 days (Goutam et al. 2020) [9]. Avoid flooding in the muskmelon field. Avoid frequent irrigation in heavy soil as it will promote excessive vegetative growth. Irrigate only as necessary during maturity, minimize irrigation frequency 3-6 days before harvesting to improve fruit sweetness and flavor. Use of silver black polyethylene mulching and drip irrigation saves waters and increases yield.

Weed Control

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.

Plant protection:

Aphid and Thrips: They suck the sap from the leaves resulting in yellowing and drooping of leaves. Thrips results in curling of leaves, leaves become cup shaped or curved upward.

• If infestation is observed in field, to control spray the crop with Thiamethoxam@5gm/15Ltr of water. 
• If infestation of sucking pest and powdery/downy mildew is observed, take spray of Thiamethoxam and 15days after spraying, spray with Dimethoate@10ml+Tridemorph@10ml/10Ltr of water.
• For effective control of thrips and aphids we can use bio pesticides like Dr.Eliminator 250ml/acre.

Leaf Miner: Maggots of leaf miner feed on leaf and make serpentine mines into leaf. It affects the photosynthesis and fruit formation.

• If infestation of leaf miner is observed, take spray of Abamectin@6ml/15Ltr of water.
•  For effective control of Caterpillar in chilli we can use bio pesticide like “LARVEX 250 ml / acre”.

Fruit fly: It is a serious pest. Females lay eggs below epidermis of young fruits. Later on maggots feed on pulp afterward fruits starts rotting.

Remove and destroyed infected fruits away from field. If infestation is observed, at initial stage take spray of Neem seed kernal extracts@50gm/Ltr of water. Take spray of Malathion@20ml + Jaggery@100gm in 10litre of water 3-4times at 10days interval.

Disease and their control

Powdery Mildew: Patchy, white powdery growth appears on upper surface of leaves and also on main stem of infected plant. It parasitizes the plant using it as a food source. In severe infestation it causes defoliation and premature fruit ripening.

If infestation is observed take spray of water soluble Sulphur@20gm/10Ltr of water 2-3times with interval of 10days.

Sudden wilt: It can affect crop at any stage. Plant get weak and give yellow appearance at initial stage, in severe infestation complete wilting is observed.

Avoid waterlogging in field. Destroy infected parts away from field. Apply Trichoderma Viride@1kg/acre mixed with 50kg FYM or well decomposed cowdung. If infestation is observed, take spray of Mancozeb or Copper Oxychloride@2.5gm/liter or Carbendazim or Thiophanate-methyl@1gm/liter of water.

Anthracnose: Anthracnose affected foliage appears scorched appearance.

As a preventive measure, treat seed with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seed. If infestation is observed in field, take spray of Mancozeb@2gm or Carbendazim@0.5gm/liter of water.

Downy Mildew: It occurs frequently in muskmelon and less in case of watermelon. Yellowing occurs on upper side of leaves. Later yellowing get increases and center of leaves turning brown. Underside of leaves white-gray light blue fungus appears. Cloudy, rainy and humid conditions are favorable for spread of this disease.

If infestation is observed in field, take spray of Metalaxyl 8%+Mancozeb 64% WP (Ridomil)@2gm/Ltr of water.

Harvesting

Fruit is generally ready for harvesting 90 to 110 days after sowing, depending on variety and agro-climatic conditions. At the fruit ripening stage, the rind becomes soft, skin colour changes from green to yellow, yellow-green to brown, slight odour at blossom end and development of an abscission layer or crack at the stem attachment point. (Goutam et al. 2020) [9].

Full slip and half slip stage are the harvesting stages for
muskmelon

1.Full Slip stage:The mature fruits separate/ slip easily from the stem leaving a complete scar. Fruit's shelf life is less than half at this point. This stage is appropriate for the local market or for eating at home.
2. Half-slip stage: Harvesting of fruits 1 to 2 days before full slip stage, only half of the stems separates leaving an incomplete.Itisfordistancemarket.

Yield: 2000-5000 fruits per hectare  canbe harvested with proper cultural care when grown on bare field, while 6000-12000 fruits when using plastic mulch.