Intercultural Operations: For getting good yield and quality fruits, apical
shoot should be removed and side shoots allowed for growing. Only 3-4 side shoots is
allowed. To keep crop free of weeds, start intercultural operations 20-25 days after sowing.
Depending upon seasons, 2-3 weeding are be required. Herbicides like pre plant application of bensulide @ 4 kg/ha or trifluralin @ 1.2 kg/ha can be used for weed control.
Use of Plant Growth Regulators: Various recommendations on plant growth
regulators (PGRs) in watermelon are given below:
Name of PGRs Concentrations (mg/l) Method of application Attributes affected References
GA3 25-50 Foliar spray at two to four true leaf stages Increases fruit yield Arora et al., 1984
Ethrel MH 500 100 Foliar spray at two to four true leaf stages Increases fruit yield Dixit et al., 2001