MUSKMELON SEEDLINGS SKIN

Transplant the seedlings of 20 – 30 days old with at least 2 – 3 true leaves. Place the seedlings about 2-3 feet apart in rows that are 5-6 feet apart. Main field should be ploughed to fine tilth and long channels are to be formed at 2.5 m apart. * Seedlings can be raised in protrays under protected conditions. * Seeds should not be sown deeper than 1.5 cm. * The polythene bags of 15cm x 10cm size punched at base should be filled with equal proportion of soil:FYM or soil:FYM:silt (in case the soil is sandy). * Sow 2 seeds/hill on both sides of the beds at 60 cm distance between hills. * After establishment, only 2 or 3 plants in each pit will be allowed to grow while rest others will be uprooted. * Sow 5 – 6 seeds in each pit with a depth of 1 – 1.5 cm. Fill them with FYM or well-decomposed compost. Pits should be spaced at about 1.5 – 2 m apart. * Pits of about 60 cm wide, 60 cm long and 45 cm deep are to be dug out. Early crop raised from seedling grown in polythene bags matures 15 to 20 days earlier compared to direct seeded crops.Before sowing, treat the seeds with Trichoderma viride at 1.25 gm/lit water or Pseudomonas fluorescence at 5 – 10 ml per 50 ml of water or Metalaxyl 4% + Manconzeb 64% WP at 1-1.5 gm/ liter of water. Muskmelon seeds are sown in pits and raised beds while in riverbed cultivation, they are sown in trenches. To get better germination, seeds should be soaked in water for 12 – 24 hours before sowing. Muskmelon is usually direct seeded and transplanted. Sowing is done in between October to November in Southern and Central part of India.Seed rate:Ĥ00 – 600 gm/acre Methods of Sowing and Planting: In case of heavy soils, there exists good vine growth, but the maturity of the crop/fruit gets delayed. Lighter soils enhance the maturity of fruit, thus early harvest. Muskmelon is slightly tolerant to soil acidity but cannot tolerate soils with high salt concentration.

Good tolerance against fusarium & diseases caused by virus, Good for Long TransportĪ well-drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter is ideal for muskmelon cultivation.

Days to first harvest: 70-75 Days for Maturity After Transplanting.

Fruit flesh: Dense netting with orange flesh with aroma and sweet in taste.

Harvesting: Starts from 70-80 days from sowing.Moderately tolerant to downy and powdery mildew diseases.Fruit flesh is thick, deep orange & sweet with good aroma.

MUSKMELON SEEDLINGS SKIN

Fruit is medium sized, round, slightly ribbed with orange skin & closely netted.Early maturing, easy to cultivate and set fruit and can be harvested 70-75 days after sowing.Its orange flesh is crispy with brix of 14-16%.Shape: Globe shaped with smooth, golden-yellow skin.Relative days to maturity (DS) – Green: 60-65.Flesh is white, tender & very sweet with aroma & unique taste.Fruit harvesting: 40 days after flowering.Flesh is orange in color tolerant to BRIX13.Maturity: 55 to 60 days (5 to 7 days earlier than madhuras).High humid conditions will promote the occurrence and spread of diseases like downy mildew, anthracnose and insects like fruitfly. Muskmelons are tolerant to drought but susceptible to frost. Warm nights will hasten the fruit’s maturity. High temperature and low humidity at fruit ripening stage will enhance the sweetness and aroma of the fruit. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 23 – 25☌ and optimum temperature required for its growth and fruit development is around 20 – 32☌. Muskmelon is mostly grown from November to February. India is the 3 rd largest producer of muskmelon in the world after China and Turkey. In India, Muskmelon is mainly grown in Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. Immature fruits are used as vegetables and their seeds are edible. They are rich in rich in Vitamin A and C. The fruit is known for its high-water content and has cooling effect on the body. It is a warm season crop known for its unique flavour and taste. Muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L) is a fruit crop widely cultivated by farmers in India particularly during summer season.

Muskmelon seedlings