What kind of environmental conditions does watermelon cultivation require?
I. Variety selection As a gift watermelon, one should choose varieties that are small and exquisite, beautiful in appearance, and excellent in quality. As the main planted variety, the single fruit weight should be 1-2 kg. If the single fruit is too large or too small, it loses its function as a gift. At present, the main ones are Huangshuiyu, Xiangyu Crystal, Huameiren, Xiangyu Black Rose, Furongmi, ...
1. Soil conditionsFor cultivating watermelon, it is advisable to choose loam soil that is loose, has good air permeability, can drain water, is required to be rich in organic matter, has a pH value of 6.5-7.8, is on high and dry terrain, and is convenient for irrigation and drainage. When the soil salt concentration is below 0.2%, growth is good. Watermelon fields cannot be continuously cropped; generally, a rotation is required once every 5-6 years, otherwise fusarium wilt is severe. Crop rotation selection: the previous crop has a relatively large impact on watermelon yield, quality, and disease resistance. A good previous crop can improve yield and quality, increase disease resistance, and lay the foundation for high and stable yields. For cultivating watermelon, the best previous crop is wasteland, followed by second-year wasteland and cereal crop stubble. Bean stubble and vegetable fields are not ideal, and watermelon stubble cannot be continuously planted.
2. Temperature
Watermelon likes a high-temperature and dry climate and is not cold-tolerant. The germination temperature is generally above 15°C, and the optimum germination temperature is 25-30°C.
The emergence temperature is above 15°C, with the optimum being 25-28°C.
The growth temperature is above 13°C, with a maximum of 40°C, and the optimum growth temperature is 18-32°C.
When the day-night temperature difference is 8-16°C, watermelon accumulates more assimilates, consumes less through respiration, has higher sugar content, and good quality.
3. Continuous cropping obstacles
Watermelon is unsuitable for continuous cropping. Using soil disinfection and planting grafted watermelon seedlings are the main measures to solve the obstacle of continuous cropping in watermelon fields.
4. Light
Watermelon likes sufficient light. More than 10-12 hours of light is beneficial to assimilation, while an 8-hour short-day photoperiod and a relatively high temperature of 27°C are beneficial to female flower formation.
5. Moisture
Watermelon has a strong root system and is drought-tolerant. It requires dry air, with the optimum relative air humidity being 50-60%. Watermelon has a large water requirement, but is not waterlogging-tolerant.