Agro-Climatic
- Season: Summer & Rainy
- Temperature: 25–30°C
- Soil: Sandy loam, well-drained
- pH: 6.0–7.5
Seed & Sowing
- Seed Rate: 2.5–3 kg/Acre
- Spacing: 250×100 cm / 300×120 cm
- Depth: 2–3 cm
- Method: Direct sowing / Nursery
Irrigation
- First irrigation at true leaf stage
- Critical at fruit setting stage
- Drip irrigation recommended
Harvesting & Yield
- 50–60 days after sowing
- Harvest every 3–4 days
- Yield: 14–18 tons/acre
Land Preparation
- Deep ploughing followed by 1–2 harrowings to achieve fine tilth.
- Apply 7–8 tons/acre well-decomposed FYM and mix thoroughly.
- Apply Trichoderma (ANTIROT) @ 1 kg/acre to prevent soil-borne diseases.
- Apply CROPCARE (Amino Acids) @ 5 kg/acre during land preparation.
- Ensure well-drained sandy loam soil with pH 6.0–7.5.
Manure & Fertilizer Application
Apply basal dose at sowing. Adjust based on soil fertility.
| Stage | Nitrogen (N) kg/acre | Phosphorus (P) kg/acre | Potassium (K) kg/acre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basal dose | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Second dose (30 DAS) | 50 | 0 | 0 |
| Third dose (50–60 DAS) | 25 | 0 | 0 |
Micronutrient spray: ZnSO₄ @ 0.25%, Boron @ 0.2%, MgSO₄ @ 0.5% during flowering & fruiting.
Weed Management
- Apply Pendimethalin @ 0.75–1.0 kg/ha as pre-emergence.
- Manual weeding at 20–25 DAS and 40–45 DAS.
- Use mulching (black plastic or crop residues) for better control.
- Perform shallow hoeing and earthing-up.
Plant Protection
Common Pests
- Fruit Fly: Install traps, spray Malathion @ 2 ml/L
- Aphids / Whiteflies: Imidacloprid @ 0.5 ml/L
- Red Beetle: Carbaryl @ 2 g/L or Neem oil
- Fruit Borer: Coragen @ 0.3 ml/L
Common Diseases
- Powdery Mildew: Sulfex @ 2.5 g/L
- Downy Mildew: Ridomil Gold @ 2 g/L
- Anthracnose: Indofil M-45 @ 2.5 g/L
- Damping-off: Seed treatment with Thiram/Captan
Additional Practices
- Sowing Time: Feb–Apr (Summer), Jun–Jul (Rainy)
- Spacing: 250×100 cm (Summer), 300×120 cm (Rainy)
- Seed Rate: 2.5–3 kg/acre
- Irrigation: Maintain moisture; avoid waterlogging
- Drip Irrigation: Saves 70–80% water and improves yield
- Harvesting: 50–60 days after sowing, at tender stage
Disclaimer:
The information provided is based on observations from trial stations. Yield and performance may
vary depending on soil, climate, season, and crop management practices.