Cucumis melo, Cucurbitaceae
Origin : Iran
Muskmelon is one of the important vegetable crop of India. These are called as mother fruits of several better-known cultivars. It is rich source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It contains about 90% of water and 9% Carbohydrates. In India muskmelon is mostly grown in states like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh
Varieties and hybrids
Pusa madhurima, Punjab hybrid, Punjab sunehni, MH 27, MH 51, MH 10, Arka jeet, Arka rajhans etc.
Other varieties of seeds that are available in our website are as follows
Vivanta Alaska 109, Vivanta Thangam 102 hybrids, Vivanta Kangana 01 hybrids etc.
Climate
It requires temperature of 18-30 degrees and an annual rainfall of 50-75mm for its better growth.
Soil
It grows well in deep fertile and well-drained soil. It gives best result when grown on well drained loam soil. Soil which is having poor drainage capacity is not suited for Muskmelon cultivation. Follow crop rotation as continuous growing of same crop on same field leads loss of nutrients, poor yield and more disease attack. Alkaline soil with high salt concentration is not suitable for cultivation. PH of soil should be in between 6-7.
Land preparation
2-3 Ploughings should be given to make the land fertile and bring to fine tilth. In North India, sowing is done in middle of February month. In North east and west India sowing is done during November to January.
Season
Middle of February is optimum time for muskmelon cultivation.
Seed rate
It requires seed rate of 400gm/acre.
Seed treatment
Treat seed with Carbendazim@2gm/kg of seeds before sowing. After chemical treatment, treat the seeds with Trichoderma viride@4gm per kg of seeds. Dry seeds in shade and then do sowing immediately.
Soil depth and spacing
Prepare 3-4m wide beds depending upon the use of variety. Sow two seeds per hill on bed and keep distance of 60cm between hill. Plant seed about 1.5cm deep. For Sowing dibbling method and transplanting methods can be used.
Transplanting
Sow seeds in polythene bag of 15cm x 12cm size with thickness of 100 gauge in last week of January or first week of February. Fill polythene bag with equal proportion of well rotten cow dung and soil. Seedlings are ready for transplantation by end of February or first week of March. Transplantation is done for 25-30 days old seedling. Apply irrigation immediately after transplantation.Â
Manures and Fertilizers
Apply Farm Yard Manure or well decomposed cowdung@10-15tonnes per acre. Apply Nitrogen@50kg, Phosphorus@25kg and Potash@25kg in form of Urea@110kg, Single Super Phosphate@155kg and Muriate of Potash@40kg per acre. Apply whole amount of Phosphorus, Potash and one third amount of Nitrogen before sowing seed. Apply remaining dose of Nitrogen near vines base, avoid touching it and mixed well in soil during initial growth period. When crop is of 10-15 days old, for good growth of crop along with good quality, take spray of 19:19:19+Micro-nutrients@ 2-3gm/Ltr of water. Prevent flower drop and increase yield up to 10% take spray of Humic acid@3ml + MAP(12:61:00)@5gm/Ltr of water at flowering stage. Spray Salicylic Acid(4-5 tabs of Aspirin Tablet 350mg)/15Ltr water at initial flowering, fruiting and maturity stage, One or two times with 30days interval. After 55days of sowing spray 13:0:45@100gm + Hexaconazole @25ml/15Ltr water for fast development of fruits and protection against powdery mildew. 65days after sowing to increase in fruit size, sweetness and colour take spray with 0:0:50 @1.5kg/acre using 100gm/15Ltr of water.
Weed management
Keep the beds weed free during early stages 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. By using herbicides weeds can be controlled.
Irrigation
Give irrigation once in every week in summer season. At the time of maturity give irrigation only when needed. Avoid over flooding in muskmelon field. During application of irrigation, do not wet the vines or vegetative parts, especially during flowering and fruit-set. Avoid frequent irrigation in heavy soil as it will promote excessive vegetative growth. For better sweetness and flavor, stop irrigation or reduce watering 3-6days before harvesting.  Â
Harvesting
Harvesting should be done when fruits turn to yellow. It can also be done depending upon market distance. For long distance markets harvest fruits at mature green stage where as for local markets harvest at half-slip stage (slight depression in the stem region)