Optimal Planting Date of Watermelon Under Irrigation Conditions at Metema District of Northwestern Ethiopia
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Watermelon has been introduced recently as a significant cash crop in the Amhara region. As an emerging crop, the agronomic practices of watermelon have to be studied to maximize productivity. One aspect of this is determining the planting date of watermelon. Hence, field experiments were conducted under irrigation conditions at Metema district in 2021 and 2023. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with five sowing dates (December 15, January 1, January 15, February 1, and February 15), each replicated three times. Agronomic data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance, with significant treatment means distinguished using LSD at a 5% significance level. The findings indicated substantial variations (P < 0.05) among the sowing dates in terms of fruit length, diameter, average fruit weight, and marketable and total fruit yields per hectare. The highest total fruit yield (30.75 tons per hectare) was recorded from the January 1 sowing date, followed by 27.20 tons per hectare from the December 15 sowing date. Hence, planting watermelon between the second week of December and the first week of January is recommended for the Metema district and similar agro-ecological regions. Moreover, further research is required to determine the optimal nitrogen fertilizer rates and irrigation frequency to reduce the incidence of fruit cracking and enhance crop performance.
Authors: Negash, Asnakew Takele, Endalew, Tegegne Ashagrie, Kassa, Azeze Wubie, Mohamed, Hayat Yasin
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7115939555