Watermelon is one of the most popular and widely consumed fruits in the world. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and is grown primarily for its sweet and refreshing flesh. To achieve optimal yields, it is essential to apply fertilizer at the right time and in the right amounts. In this article, we will discuss the basal dose of fertilizer in watermelon and fertilizer application at 20 DAS and 30 days.
Basal dose of fertilizer in watermelon:
The basal dose of fertilizer is the initial fertilizer application that is applied at the time of planting. It is often applied in the form of granules or pellets, but liquid fertilizers can also be used. The purpose of the basal dose is to provide the necessary nutrients to the plant during the early stages of growth. In watermelon, the basal dose of fertilizer should be applied at a rate of 60 kg N, 30 kg P2O5, and 30 kg K2O per hectare.
Fertilizer application at 20 days after sowing (DAS):
At 20 DAS, the watermelon plant will have developed its first pair of true leaves and will be actively growing. At this stage, a foliar application of fertilizer can be made to help boost growth and development. A balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be used. A suitable fertilizer application for watermelon at 20 DAS is 1 kg N, 1 kg P2O5, and 1 kg K2O per hectare.
Fertilizer application at 30 days after sowing (DAS):
At 30 DAS, the watermelon plant will be well-established, and the first signs of fruit development will be visible. At this stage, it is essential to provide adequate nutrition to the plant to support healthy fruit development. A fertilizer with a higher ratio of potassium should be used at this stage to promote strong fruit development. A suitable fertilizer application for watermelon at 30 DAS is 1 kg N, 0.5 kg P2O5, and 2 kg K2O per hectare.
Conclusion:
Fertilizer application is an essential practice in watermelon cultivation that must be carefully managed to maximize yields and quality. The basal dose of fertilizer should be applied at planting, and additional applications made at strategic stages of growth to satisfy the growing plant’s nutritional requirements. A balanced fertilizer should be applied at 20 DAS, while a higher ratio of potassium should be used at 30 DAS to support healthy fruit development. Proper fertilizer management will result in healthy plant growth, high yields, and good fruit quality.