Yield response of watermelon to varying levels of fertigation, drip irrigation and vertical training under rain shelter

Abstract: An experiment was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala, to study the effect of fertigation, drip irrigation, and training levels on the yield and quality of watermelon under rain shelter. The treatments were factorial combinations of three fertigation levels (75, 100 and 125 % recommended dose (RD) of 70:50:120 NPK ha^-1), two irrigation levels (0.6 and 0.8 evapotranspiration (ET) rates) and two training levels (nipping to one vine, nipping to two vines) arranged in randomized block design with two replications and control with surface irrigation, soil application of fertilizer and horizontal training of vines. Levels of fertigation and irrigation exerted a significant influence on fruit weight and yield plant^-1. Total yields were highest at 100 % RD (115.68 t ha^-1) as compared to 125 % RD (94.81 t ha^-1). The number of fruits plant^-1 was unaffected by ferigation and irrigation treatments. Vertical training of two vines in watermelon resulted in the highest number of fruits plant^-1 (6.09). TSS was unaffected by fertilization, irrigation, or training levels. Under a rain shelter, lycopene and ascorbic acid levels were affected by a lack of irrigation.