Effect of fertigation and drip irrigation on yield and quality of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]

Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different levels of fertigation and drip irrigation on yield and quality of watermelon. Fertigation treatments were 75, 100 and 125 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RD). Irrigation treatments were 0.6 and 0.8 evapotranspiration (ET) rates. One control was taken with surface irrigation and conventional soil application of fertilizers. Levels of fertigation and irrigation exerted significant influence on number of fruits plant^-1 and yield plant^-1. Total yield was highest at 100 % RD (91.1 t ha^-1) compared to 125 % RD (80.13 t ha^-1). Fertigation at 100 % RD recorded highest number of fruits which was on par with 125 % RD. There was increase in number of fruits plant^-1 and fruit yield with increase in irrigation level from 0.6 to 0.8 ET. Fertigation at 100 % RD recorded the highest yield of 8.51 kg plant^-1. Fertigation and irrigation levels had no influence on fruit weight. TSS, lycopene, ascorbic acid and sugar contents did not increase with deficit irrigation of 0.6 ET.