Watermelon Production.
Preferred Type in Kenya
The most preferred type in Kenyan Market is the Zebra type (dark green stripes) which should have:
Yield Potential: 25 tons/acre
Maturity: 80 – 90 days for most varieties
Oblong fruits in shape
Average fruit weight 7 – 10 kgs
Rind: light green with dark green stripes
Deep red flesh, crispy & firm
TSS 11 – 12% (Total Soluble Sugar)
Thick rind: Good for long distance transport
Yield Potential: 25 tons/acre
Climatic Requirements
- Long, warm growing periods
- Bright, hot days (27 – 35°C)
- Warm nights (16 – 21°C)
- Cool temperatures & excessive rainfall delay germination, slow growth, and cause poor fruit setting and
hollow fruits - High humidity increases disease susceptibility and reduces flowering
Soil Requirements
- Sandy loam, rich in organic matter with good drainage
- Heavy soils slow crop development and cause cracked fruits
- Soil pH: 6 – 7
- Apply lime if soil pH is too low
Seed Requirements & Sowing
- Seed Rate: 500 – 600 grams per acre
- Single row system:
- Row spacing: 2.0 – 2.5 meters
- Plant spacing: 60 cm
- Double row system:
- Row spacing: 3.5 – 4.0 meters
- Plant spacing: 60 cm
Manure & Fertilizer Application
- FYM: 5-8 tons/acre
Basal:
- 2 bags NPK Yara Power or 2 bags DAP
Top Dress:
- 1st: 2 bags Yara Nitrabor/Calcibor @ 25 Days after Planting
- 2nd: 1 bag NPK Yara Winner @ 45 Days after Planting
Micronutrients:
- Ca, Bo & Mg spray during vegetative, flowering and fruit setting stages
Inter-Cultivation
- Crop Rotation: Use cereals, legumes, or pulses for at least 2 seasons
- Weeding: Regular to keep the field clean
Harvesting & Yield
- Immature fruits have poor content
- Overripe fruits are fibrous
Yield:
Potential: 25 tons/acre under good agronomic practices
Average: 15 tons/acre
Irrigation:
- Irrigate before planting and then once a week
- Avoid irrigation after long dry spells (causes cracking)
- Most critical stages: Flowering & Fruit setting
Pollination
- Cross-pollination by insects (especially honey bees)
- 1-2 bee hives per acre
- Best time: 9 am – 12 pm
- Avoid chemical spraying during morning flowering stages
- Poor pollination causes misshapen fruits
Pest Management
- Major pests: Cucumber beetles, aphids, leafminers, thrips, melon flies
- Monitor with traps and field scouting
- Use pesticides based on pest population
Maturity Indicators
- Color change from dark green to light green/yellow
- Drying tendrils
- Yellow ground spot
- Hollow sound on tapping
