Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth and yield of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.)

Abstract

A field experiment entitled "Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on growth and yield of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.)" was conducted at Instructional Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during summer season of 2019 - 2020. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and nine treatments viz.T1 (Farm Yard Manure @ 40 t ha-1), T2 (Compost (NADEP) @ 18 t ha-1), T3 (Vermicompost @ 13.5 t ha-1), T4 (Poultry manure @ 6.6 t ha-1) and T5 (Farm Yard Manure @ 40 t ha-1 + Soil application of Azotobacter+ PSB @ 5 kg ha-1 each), T6 (Compost (NADEP) @18 t ha-1 + Soil application of Azotobacter+ PSB @ 5 kg ha-1 each), T7 (Vermicompost @ 13.5 t ha-1 + Soil application of Azotobacter+ PSB @ 5 kg ha-1 each), T8 (Poultry manure @ 6.6 t ha-1 + Soil application of Azotobacter+ PSB @ 5 kg ha-1 each), T9 Control (RDF- 200:100:100 NPK Kg/ha). The various observations in respect of vine growth and yield of watermelon were recorded periodically. From the present findings, it was observed that the growth parameters in respect length of main vine, number of leaves, number of primary branches, chlorophyll index, days for first female flower appearance, internodal distance and male female ratio were found better with Vermicompost @ 13.5 t ha-1+ soil application of Azotobacter +PSB @ 5kg ha-1 each. Yield parameters viz days required for edible maturity, number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight kg, fruit yield kg per vine and fruit yield per ha-1 (tons) were found to be maximum with Vermicompost @ 13.5 t ha-1+ soil application of Azotobacter +PSB @ 5kg ha-1 each.

Effect of crop geometry, fruit thinning and nutrient management on growth parameters of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.)

“…This may be the reason behind the longest vine production in case of N 3 . The results of present investigation are in agreement with the findings of Ghosh et al (2016) [17] , Tahir et al (2018) [18] , Sonkamble et al (2022) [19] and Sai et al (2022) [20] in watermelon; Atiyeh et al (2002) [21] , Bindiya et al (2014) [22] and Singh et al (2020) [23] in cucumber. Significant differences among the interactions were also recorded.…”

“…This might led to adequate supply of nutrients resulting the production of more vines per plant. The results are in agreement with the findings of Sonkamble et al (2022) [19] in watermelon; Thriveni et al (2015) [25] in bitter gourd; Das et al (2015) [26] , Singh et al (2017) [27] and Singh et al (2018) [28] in bottle gourd; Anjanappa et al (2012) [29] , and Singh et al (2018) [28] in cucumber; Nayak et al (2016) [30] in pointed gourd and Bindiya et al (2012) [22] in gherkin. The interaction effect of the factors was also significant.…”

Influence of Crop Geometry, Fruit Thinning and Nutrient Management on Yield and Yield -related Attributes of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.)

“…Application of organic manures add ample amount of organic matter to the soil which creates preferred microclimatic condition for crop growth inducing better crop stand at reproductive stage resulting more yield per plant. The results are in conformity with the findings of [13] in watermelon; [21] and [18] in muskmelon.…”

“…N3resulted in production of the highest (4.21) number of fruitsperplantandtheleastof3.52fruits per plant were inN1.This might be because of the fact that more vine length and number of primary branches maximized the fruiting buds and ultimately number of fruits per plant increased. The results are in line with the findings of [12] and [13] in watermelon [14]. Also reported similar findings in cucumber and opined that availability of micronutrients and vitamins from organic manures coupled with quick release of nutrients by fertilizers results in higher fruit production.…”