Why does watermelon fail to grow new roots? How to solve it

1. Improper fertilizer and water management

When planting watermelons, base fertilizer is generally applied. Most base fertilizer is farmyard manure or organic fertilizer, which can raise soil temperature, improve soil structure, increase soil organic matter content, and continuously provide nutrients for watermelon growth. However, if incompletely decomposed organic fertilizer or farmyard manure is applied, the fertilizer will release a large amount of heat during decomposition, causing root burn and seedling burn. Therefore, applying undecomposed organic fertilizer is one of the causes of watermelons not growing new roots.

Solution: When applying farmyard manure or organic fertilizer, it must be fully fermented and decomposed, especially farmyard manure. If it is not fermented and decomposed, it can also cause seedlings to be infected with pathogens.

2. Excessive fertilization

If the amount is not controlled when fertilizing, the ion concentration in the soil becomes too high, exceeding what watermelon growth requires. This causes the cell tissues of the watermelon root system to lose water and undergo plasmolysis, so new roots do not grow. In this case, the plant will also show wilting and water deficiency. The main reason is that melon growers apply excessive nitrogen fertilizer.

Solution: Be sure to pay attention to the amount when fertilizing. It is not advisable to apply too much or too concentrated fertilizer. After excessive fertilization occurs, water in time to dilute the fertilizer concentration so that it is diluted for the plant and the plant is prevented from losing water and wilting.

3. Heavy clay soil

If planted in plots with heavy clay texture, soil compaction, and poor permeability, the root system will lack oxygen or suffocate, causing root vigor to weaken, hindering the root system's absorption of nutrients, affecting normal root growth, and resulting in the phenomenon of no new root growth.

Solution: When planting, choose loose-textured soil, cultivate frequently, avoid soil compaction, and increase soil permeability, especially after rain, when the soil is very prone to compaction.

4. Pests and diseases

In addition to the above reasons, pests and diseases are also one of the causes of watermelons not growing new roots. For example, root-knot nematode disease invades the watermelon root system, weakening its absorption capacity, thereby causing plant weakening and yellow leaves. Root galls of various sizes appear on the roots, causing no new root growth.

Seasonal solution: When planting, plow and disinfect the soil to eliminate overwintering eggs and reduce pest damage. When disease occurs, root irrigation with a nematicide can be used for control, with good results.

The above is an introduction to the causes and solutions for watermelon not growing new roots. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.