What are the solutions to a low fruit-setting rate in watermelons?
Watermelon is the most popular fruit of summer, with bright red flesh, delicious and juicy, suitable for young and old alike. However, when growing watermelons, a low fruit-setting rate often occurs, which not only affects the growth of the watermelons but also affects the yield, reducing the economic income of watermelon growers. So what should be done about a low fruit-setting rate in watermelons? And how should it be solved? Let's take a look.
1. Strengthen fertilizer and water management
Fertilizer and water management has a certain degree of influence on the fruit-setting rate of watermelons, especially the fertilizer and water management before and after flowering, which is extremely important. During the flowering period, watering should be controlled, and watering should be done according to the dryness and moisture of the soil, so that the soil is kept in a slightly moist state. By the fruit expansion period, the demand for water increases sharply, and at this time timely irrigation is needed. Also, topdress fertilizer in time, pay attention to the reasonable combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and also pay attention to applying additional other trace elements, so as to ensure normal growth of the plants and increase the fruit-setting rate.
2. Pruning and vine training
Watermelon is a vine plant. To make it easier to manage and to increase the fruit-setting rate, when the main vine grows to 120-150cm and the side vines grow to 50cm, pruning and vine training work is needed. Keep only the main vine and 2-3 strong-growing side vines, and cut off all the other side vines. This can avoid excessive consumption of nutrients, concentrate the nutrient supply, and promote earlier flowering and fruiting. During flowering, slowly cut off the side vines that sprout before and after the female flowers, which can greatly increase the fruit-setting rate.
3. Artificial pollination
Watermelons achieve pollination and fruiting through bees and insects, but if due to some other factors, such as low temperatures, long rainy seasons and so on, there are few bees and insects or their activity is weak, pollination will be affected. Therefore, using artificial pollination is an important point for increasing the fruit-setting rate. During flowering, pick off the male flower that is open at that time, remove the corolla, expose the anther, use a cotton swab or toothpick to pick up the pollen and gently smear it on the stigma of the female flower. When the stigma turns yellow, pollination has succeeded. If cloudy and rainy weather occurs after pollination, protective measures should be taken to prevent rain from causing pollination failure or causing flowers and fruits to drop.
4. Pest and disease control
Pests and diseases can also affect the fruit-setting rate of watermelons, such as the common anthracnose and fusarium wilt, which harm the fruits and leaves. When the disease occurs, it causes the leaves to wither and drop, and in severe cases causes the plants to die, with great harm. Strengthen field management, especially in hot and rainy seasons and during the period when diseases occur, do a good job of drainage measures, open furrows for drainage in time, and when the disease occurs, promptly remove the diseased leaves and diseased fruits, then spray agents for control.
The above are the solutions to a low fruit-setting rate in watermelons brought to you by Qinnong Web. Spraying gibberellin solution during cultivation can significantly increase the fruit-setting rate and sugar content of watermelons. We hope this can help you. For more related agricultural knowledge, please stay tuned to Qinnong Web.