Tips for Successful Watermelon Cultivation

How to Start Watermelon Cultivation

Are you considering entering the watermelon cultivation business? Are you wondering if it is profitable? If you have these questions in mind, you’ve come to the right place. 

First, it's important to understand that in any business, it's common practice to identify potential buyers and, if possible, make arrangements with them to minimize losses. The watermelon cultivation business is no exception. It is crucial to have a market or buyers lined up before you start, as this factor will significantly influence your profit potential.

To ensure a successful venture, conduct a thorough market survey of your potential buyers. Focus on identifying local consumers, especially those likely to buy in large quantities, such as supermarkets, grocery stores, canteens, eateries, fast food restaurants, roadside vendors, and industries or companies that incorporate your products into their processes. It is essential to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with these buyers to ensure they will purchase your produce during the harvest season.

It is crucial to have more buyers than produce available so that if one prospect fails, you have a backup plan to sell your goods as soon as possible.

Essential requirements to start a watermelon farm?

What essential requirements should you consider to successfully launch a watermelon farm cultivation? By understanding these factors, you can set yourself up for greater success in the agricultural industry.

-   Business plan: A business plan is essential for success, summarizing costs, revenue projections, and marketing strategies for the farm project. It should also include operational plans and staffing arrangements.

-    Land:  It's crucial to have access to land for planting your watermelon. While ownership of the land is not mandatory, renting is a viable option. If you choose to rent, ensure that your rental agreement is negotiated and documented to prevent any unexpected issues. For instance, a landowner might want to reclaim the land in the middle of your planting season, so it's important to protect your rights.

- Farm Schedule or Calendar: This is sometimes referred to as the activity calendar. It outlines all the planned activities to be carried out on the farm, along with their scheduled dates throughout the planting season or the duration of the farm project.

-  Basic Farm Tools: Ensure that essential farm tools like cutlasses, hoes, knapsack sprayers, binding wires, staking ropes, staking nets, buckets, and sacks are readily available.

-  Agrochemical & Seedlings: Ensure that the seeds and agrochemicals, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides, are available. Check the expiry dates. It is advisable not to purchase seeds and agrochemicals that have a near-expiry date.

-  Labour Expenses: The best approach is to mechanize every operation on your farm. However, if machines are not readily available or are too expensive, consider hiring laborers with supervision for the tasks.

Getting Started with Cucumber Farming

Remember that both watermelon and cucumber farm management practices are closely related. But, unlike cucumber where there is a need to stake and trellis with rope and bamboo. Watermelon doesn’t require that. 

All you need to do is to prevent the watermelon fruits from having direct contact with the soil by raising them with stones, organic mulching with grasses or cardboard, etc. This is compulsory to ensure healthy fruits and prevent the bursting of fruits due to excess heat and other factors which will be discussed later. 

Let's get started on the core farming operations:

-   Ensuring Proper land preparation.

-   Ensuring proper planting spacing.

-   Ensuring Proper timing

-   Ensure a proper and adequate supply of water by using drip irrigation, overhead irrigation is not good for watermelon.AND nutrients at the required amount at the appropriate stage.

-   Ensuring adequate pollination (to promote a better rate of matured fruits, to increase yield).

-   Ensuring proper pests and disease control and practices.

-   harvesting at an adequate time.

-   Ensure that there is a market and buyers for your products before planting – to avoid fruit wastage, which might lead to loss.

SOIL AND NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS

Watermelon requires adequate nutrients for proper germination. Therefore, if the soil the seeds were planted in lacks the required nutrients, germination will be affected and also lead to stunted growth. It is either the plant did not germinate at all or on time (slow germination rate).

Watermelon needs well-prepared, fertile soil, soil with PH between 6-8 (neutral and fairly alkaline), and must not be water lodged, so they are often planted in raised beds around 6 inches high but can be planted directly on untilled land.

Ensure the soil has a good amount of organic matter within it; manure will give the plants the nutrients they require. To increase the fertility and PH level of the soil, organic manure, ssp ashes, and or lime should be incorporated in the soil during land preparation (at least a week before planting)

To reduce the quantity of manure and lime or ashes to be used, the manure, ssp, and ashes or lime could be mixed and applied to the PLANTING hole a week before planting

To determine the PH and fertility level of the soil, soil test must be carried out before land preparation.

LAND PREPARATION

Land preparation: - This is not just to clear land. It involves 

• Site clearing - which can be done manually or mechanically. The land can be prepared in beds or the land can be cleared only without making ridges if the land is well drained.
• Adding manure, spp lime, and or ashes to increase the soil fertility and PH level. 
• Removal of debris, tree stump, etc. in/ on the bed and flattening of the bed.

Let's talk about fertilization as these start from land preparation

Fertilization 

 This is the application of a chemical (inorganic) or natural substance (organic) to the soil to increase its fertility. To get good yields in watermelon farming, the right type and quantity of fertilizer should be applied at the appropriate time. 

As earlier said, soil tests should be carried out before land preparation,  results obtained from soil tests will determine the type and quantity of fertilizer to be applied. 

Manure should be incorporated in the beds during land preparation or to the planting holes during planting (to reduce the quantity of manure that will be used), to increase the soil fertility.

Some of the types of fertilizers that are commonly used for watermelon farming include-: calcium nitrate, NPK, urea, mono ammonium phosphate, mono potassium phosphate, potassium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, etc.

We have various forms and types of fertilizer-: Manure, Foliar, and granule fertilizers are the most commonly used forms of fertilizer for watermelon farming.

The normal practice is the application of one full "cover or cap" of a drink bottle of:-

-   granule Urea per plant at the second week of planting

-   NPK (15:15:15) per plant at the Fourth week of planting 

-   NPK (with higher P and K content) per plant at the Fourth week of planting

Or spray with liquid fertilizer with

- NPK till the flowering stage starts and

- high P and K contents from the flowering stage

PROCEDURE FOR THE APPLICATION OF GRANULAR FERTILISER

Step 1: Measure 10cm away from the plant.

Step 2: Dig down up to 10cm below.

Step 3: Add one teaspoon/one cover of bottled water of granule fertilizer.

Step 4: Cover up with sand and wet the points of application with water to dissolve the granule fertilizer.

Fertigation

Fertigation is the application of fertilizer through the irrigation system by a drip system. It is a popular and efficient method of fertilizing greenhouse cucumber plants. Fertilizers are either dissolved in a large holding tank and the solution pumped to the crop, or they are mixed in concentrated stock solutions, which are then incorporated, using fertilizer injectors, into the irrigation water.

WATER REQUIREMENT

watermelon plants have shallow roots and require abundant soil moisture at all stages of growth. The soil texture and structure determine how much water is required. watermelon requires a constant supply of water from planting till germination but doesn't like overhead irrigation from fruiting stage till germination. That's why it is planted when rain is about to end like September ending till mid-October,

After planting, if there is no adequate supply of water, the seed might not germinate, or if it thrived and germinated, it might dry off. That is why is it necessary for farmers who depend on rain as a source of water to wet with water after planting if it does not rain till evening.

Moisture fluctuation, especially during the bloom and fruit development stages can result in growth deformity, which can reduce both the yield and the quality of the fruits (misshapen fruit, hollow fruit, carpel separation, bursting or hooked fruit).

Drip irrigation is the most efficient type of irrigation for vegetative farming. The components of the system are usually installed by technicians who are experts in drip irrigation installation.

CHOICE OF SEEDS

The choice of seed to be planted has to be put into consideration, this depends on the rate of resistant to diseases and pests, size and nature of fruit, planting region, availability of the seed, yield expected, and maturity date.

Types of watermelon seed

1. Open-pollinated varieties of watermelon seeds
2. Hybrid varieties of watermelon seeds

Open-pollinated varieties of watermelon seeds are cheaper but the yields are not as high as hybrid seeds and also have low resistant disease compared to hybrid seeds. It is not advisable to plant Open-pollinated varieties (OPV seeds). Such as Sugar baby, kaolack,  etc.

Hybrid varieties of seeds are expensive, though the yield can justify the high price and they are disease-resistant. Hybrid seeds have shorter maturity periods depending on the variety planted.

Different varieties of hybrid seeds

There are many hybrid seeds made by different companies and marketers. A few of them are listed below:-

• Maridadi,
• Erato f1,
• Eghali fi,
• Sweet sangria f1,
• Sweet sarat,
• Crimson sweet variety etc

PLANTING

Planting period

Watermelon should be planted at the onset of rain or offset of rain. Watermelon should not be planted when the rain is at its peak.

In the South usually:

-    Mid-April to early May (depending on when the rain starts),

-    June and September for farmers who depend on rain, and

-    Between September –and April with drip irrigation system. 

Watermelon can be planted throughout the dry season. In the north early season planting is in May and late season planting in July, but with drip irrigation system it can be planted throughout the year, but also with the best timing during the rainy season.*

PLANTING SPACING

It is important to ensure adequate planting spacing on watermelon farms.  Close spacing is not a good practice; it leads to unhealthy plant growth, results in smaller fruits, risk of fungi attack, requires more seeds, and slightly higher fertilizer rates. 

Planting spacing depends on the number of seeds per hole and the variety of seeds. For example, farming with hybrid seeds:-

- Eghali F1. Planting spacing is 1.25-1.5 x 1.25-1.5m for 1 seed per hole. While 1.8x1.8 for 2 seeds per hole. 

or for ridged farm

1.56m (along the row) x 1m (space between ridges) - (for 1 seed per hole)

NUMBER OF SEED PER HOLE

Watermelons are usually planted in 1 or 2 per hole.

Let’s quickly do the Calculation of number of seeds per plot base on 2 seed per hole using different planting spacing. 600m²/(1.8*1.8) = 380seeds + extra seeds for Re-supplying = 450 seeds

Planting depth - 25mm deep - dig with the tip of your finger.

 Factors that influence the germination of planted seeds and their survival.

• Type of seed planted
• Seeds quality
• Depth of planting
• Soil nutrient 
• Adequate water supply 
• Weather conditions

Germination starts after 5-8 days of planting; therefore, re-supplying should be done after 7 - 9 days of planting

Re-supplying

     This is the process of re-planting any seed(s) that does not germinate after 7-9 days of planting.

WATERMELON LIFE CYCLE

The life cycle of watermelon is between 70-90 days depending on the variety of seeds planted.

WEED AND PESTS MANAGEMENT

Mulching and manual weeding can be used to control weeds - Organic Plastic mulching - inorganic

Pests management

Diseases and pests

Watermelons are susceptible to several diseases that attack the roots, leaves, vine, and fruit. Disease control is essential in the production of high-quality watermelons. A preventive measure that combines the use of cultural practices, genetic resistance, and chemical control as needed usually provides the best results for watermelon production.

Insects can be a major problem in watermelon. Melon flies, Beetle, aphids, cutworms, seed corn maggots, leaf miners, and mites can all cause crop losses. Insect attacks can be prevented by spraying appropriate pesticides at the appropriate time and by weeding at the proper time as well

Leaf diseases that can result in serious damage are caused by fungi and can be spread all over the farm by wind and insects. Fungi attacks cannot be cured but can only be prevented by the use of appropriate inorganic and organic fungicide products

Watermelon-associated problems, pests, and diseases attack, symptoms, and preventive measures:

Watermelons are also infected by the same diseases that attack cucumber plants. Below is the list and explanation of only two that are associated with watermelon.

1. Fruits busting

2. Blossom end rot

3. Downey mildew

4. Powdery mildew

5. Anthracnose - Colletotrichum orbiculare_

6. Alternaria leaf spot (Brown spot) - Alternaria spp.

7. Fusarium wilt - _Fusarium oxysporum_

8. Gummy stem blight - Didymella bryoniae

9. Watermelon mosaic disease etc

Watermelon fruits bursting is one of the major damage that watermelon farmers experience. It is caused by:-

Poor water supply is the most common cause of the bursting of watermelon. Whether it’s due to poor irrigation practices or drought followed by heavy rain, excessive accumulation of water can put the fruit under a lot of pressure. 

when the plants absorb too much water too fast, the excess water goes straight to the fruits. Like most fruits, water makes up a large percentage of the fruit. When the soil becomes dry, the fruit forms a tight skin to prevent moisture loss. However, once a sudden surge in water returns, the skin expands. As a result, the watermelon bursts.

High heat intensity:- Water pressure within the fruit can build up when it gets too hot, causing the melons to split open.

preventive measures:- One way to help prevent splitting is by adding mulching, either with grasses, or cardboard underneath the fruit or raising the fruits with stones to prevent the fruits from having contact with the soil.  Also adding shade cover during excessively hot periods may help.

Planting of watermelon with a thick shell may help prevent the bursting of watermelon fruits. Some varieties of watermelon are more prone to splitting than others. Sometimes splitting might be associated with low soil PH. Therefore, soil PH test should be done before planting and the needful should be done based on the test. But if it is not done and fruit bursting occurs, the soil PH should be done and if the test shows a low PH level, side dressing with lime or ashes will help stabilize the PH level.

General precautions to prevent fungi and pest attacks on watermelon farms are listed below.

• Using fungicides and pruning infected or dying plant parts can prevent diseases from spreading. 
• Control pests by the use of appropriate insecticides either organic (neem leaves, soda, detergents, rabbit manure) or inorganic.
• Planting seeds with disease-resistant (preferably, hybrid seeds).
• Regular removal of plant debris.
• Endure an adequate supply of nutrients and water through a drip irrigation system; avoid overhead irrigating systems. 
• Create a barrier between fruit by the use of plastic or organic mulch, stone, cardboard, etc.
• Rotate crop with non-cucurbit for at least 2 years.

The best practice is to remove all plant residue from the soil after harvest or at least two weeks before planting.

The virus can be spread via tools, farm wears, and hands, good sanitation should be practiced at all times to prevent virus transmission - disinfect all tools, equipment, and farm wears.

Remove any infected plants from the field to reduce spread; control weeds in and around the field that may house pests and fungi.

Avoid overcrowding to ensure good air circulation. Prevent the watermelon fruits from having direct contact with the ground.

Note: for effective control of insect and fungi attacks, at least two fungicides and insecticides with the active ingredients listed below should be used.

Prescribed type of fungicides and insecticides to be used

Insecticides - Lambda, DD force, best action, , cyperdifore, confidor, cypermethrine (all contact) imicide.

Fungicides - SAAF, team (contact + systemic), Z-force (contact), red-force (contact), ultima plus (contact), Ridomil gold (contact), Cabri duo (systemic), Scala (systemic), Tanos (systemic + contact), pristine (systemic).

Treatment should be done every 5-7days intervals depending on the active ingredients of the pesticides and fungicides used and weather conditions.

PROCEDURE FOR CARRYING OUT TREATMENT 

Precaution:

-    Ensure that the sprayer tank has not been used to spray herbicide to avoid damage to plants.

-    Rinse the sprayer before and after use.

-    Ensure moderate spraying.

Procedures

Step 1: Rinse the sprayer with clean water.

Step 2: Fill the sprayer up to ¼ with clean water, add the required amount of fertilizer (60ml of boost extra or maxi force or DI-grow or other organic or in-organic foliar fertilizer), and shake the sprayer so that the fertilizer can dissolve.

Step 3: Top the tank to 1/2full, add the required fungicide (50 grams of SAAF, Z-force, red force or utlma plus or rodmil gold) and also the required insecticides (25 - 35ml of lambda-cyhalothrin or DD force or other types of insecticides – depending on the plant's growth stage). 

Step 4: Fill the tank up with agitation, and shake so that it is properly mixed. 

Step 5: Spray the plant at a moderate pressure, ensure that the spraying pressure is not much on each plant to avoid damage to each plant due to spraying, and also ensure the spraying fumes touch all the plants so that no plant is left out from the treatment, because if any plant is affected by fungi it may be contacted by other plants through wind or insects and this might damage the whole farm.  

Step 6: Rinse the sprayer with clean water after use.

Note: if SAAF and lambda-cyhalothrin were used for the treatment this week, the next treatment should be done with other fungicides and insecticides of different active ingredients like Cabri duo, ridomil gold (fungicide), and DD force (insecticide). So that fungi and insects with not develop resistance to the same fungicide and insecticide used.

    Also for organic farmers, inorganic foliar fertilizer will be replaced with organic foliar like DI-grow, bio-stimulant (texamin flower booster). Foliar fertilizer can be sprayed separately for better action.

HARVESTING, SORTING AND STORAGE

Harvesting of watermelon fruits takes place between 70-90 days after planting, depending on the variety planted, maintenance culture, and climatic conditions. 

How to identify ripe fruits:-

• thump the watermelon with your knuckles. If it sounds hollow it is ripe.
• Check the colour of the part of the fruit that was lying on the ground (part lying on the mulching material). If the colour of the spot is white, it means that the watermelon is not ready for harvest. But if the colour is yellow or cream on that spot, then the watermelon fruit is ripe for harvest.
• If the tendrils near the stem of the watermelon are brown and dried up, then the harvest is ready.
• Check for cracks at the stem near the fruit.
• Change in color of the top of the fruits from green to white or yellow or the general change in appearance of the fruits to dull color.

note: the smaller fruits are usually ripe for harvest before the bigger fruits.

Sorting

This is the process of grading already harvested fruits according to their size. 

Procedure

Ensured that the harvested fruits were free from cut.

Pack it together in a shaded area on the farm to avoid direct sun rays.

Rinse the fruit to remove any stain on it.

Sorting should be done according to size and weight; from smallest to biggest size.