Watermelon Cultivation in India: Best Agricultural Practices for Maximum Yield

Table of Contents

• An Overview of Watermelon Cultivation in India
• Which are the Different Varieties of Watermelon in India?
• Step-by-Step Guide to Watermelon Farming
  • Soil and Climate
  • Land Preparation and Sowing
  • Irrigation & Fertilizer Management
  • Disease & Plant Protection
  • Pollination
  • Harvesting of Watermelon
  • Storage and Transportation
• Which are the Major Watermelon Producing States in India 2023-24?

An Overview of Watermelon Cultivation in India 2026

Watermelon, which is also known as Citrullus lanatus, has grown worldwide for thousands of years. It is a flowering plant species in the Cucurbitaceae family and is also a highly nutritious fruit that contains about 92% water, 7% carbohydrates, 0.2% protein, and 0.3% minerals. It is also high in vitamins A, C, and B-complex. The fruit also contains antioxidant properties such as lycopene, which is good for your heart health.

India is one of the largest producers of watermelon, with a production of 3,721.26 thousand metric tonnes according to the National Horticulture Board (NHB).

Which are the Different Varieties of Watermelon in India?

There are different varieties of Watermelon grown in different parts of India. Here is a list of some of the different varieties available in the country:

Step-by-Step Guide to Watermelon Farming

Soil & climate, lan preparation, sowing, etc. are some of the steps of watermelon cultivation. Let’s have a look at all of them:

Soil and Climate

Watermelon is a summer crop that grows in hot, dry regions. Watermelons can be cultivated on well-drained sandy to sandy loam soils and medium black soils, rich in organic matter. These plants grow well in slightly acidic soil; therefore, the ideal soil pH is 6.0-7.5. Highly acidic soil can also harm the plant. Watermelon cannot survive in cold weather unless grown in a greenhouse with proper protection. The best temperature for seed germination and plant growth is between 24-27°C.  

Land Preparation and Sowing

To prepare the land, ploughing should be done until the soil becomes soft and fine. Watermelons typically get seeded directly in fields. If protection against freezing is required, it is sown in nurseries or greenhouses before it is planted in the main field. Watermelon is usually sown between February and March in North India, and November and January in West and Northeast India. The seeds are typically placed 2-3 cm below the topsoil. There are three main methods of sowing watermelons which are discussed below:

The methods of sowing you choose depends on the climate and season.

Irrigation & Fertilizer Management 

Watermelon is a fruit that grows in summer (humid) and warm climatic conditions. For this reason, the land must be irrigated thoroughly for the fruit to grow. Here are some steps on how to irrigate the watermelon crop properly –

• Water the beds two days before sowing and five days after sowing.
• Irrigate once a week as the plant grows.
• Prevent water stress, especially during pre-flowering, flowering, and fruiting stages, to ensure good fruit development.
• Apply water only to the root zone. Avoid water on the vines, leaves, flowers, and fruits to prevent diseases and damage. Keep moisture near the roots to help the plant develop a strong taproot.
• A total of 7-9 irrigations are needed for the entire crop cycle.
• For transplanted seedlings, irrigate immediately after transplanting, then every 10-14 days.
• Drip irrigation is highly recommended because it improves fruit quality, reduces disease and weed pressure, and conserves water.
• Gradually decrease irrigation as the fruits ripen and completely stop irrigation before harvesting.

Watermelon needs a healthy dose of fertilizer to grow, just like any other crop. You can determine which type of fertilizer to use and when to use it by reviewing the table below:

Disease & Plant Protection

Here are some of the diseases that can occur in a Watermelon plant and ways you can prevent them

Pollination

Pollination is also an important step in the watermelon cultivation process. Because male and female plants grow on the same plant but separately, watermelon plants cannot mature into fruits on their own.

There are two methods for pollinating a Watermelon plant. The first happens naturally through honeybees. Bees transfer pollen from flower to flower as they gather nectar. For this reason, putting up an artificial beehive in the watermelon field is a smart idea. To increase pollination frequency, you can place 1 or 2 beehives per acre. During natural pollination, spraying chemicals in the morning during the flowering stage is not recommended.

The second approach involves manual pollination. Manual pollination should be done in the early morning. Pluck the male flowers and remove the surrounding petals. The stamen of the male flower (which holds pollen) is to be brushed against the stigma of the female flower (which is in the centre). This helps pollen cling to the female flower.

Harvesting of Watermelon

Watermelons are ready to harvest when the tendrils around the stem begin drying, and the white section of the fruit touching the ground turns yellow.

You can also tell when the Watermelons make a thudding sound when thumped (whereas immature fruits make a thick sound). Fruits mature only when they are linked to the vine. Therefore, immature fruits must be left alone if not yet ready. To harvest mature fruits, cut the stem about an inch away from the fruit with a knife. After harvesting, the fruits are evaluated according to their size. Store them at 15⁰C for up to two weeks. Around 25 – 30 t/ha of watermelon fruits are obtained in 120 days.

Storage and Transportation

Watermelon stays fresh for around 15 days at 15°C. Lower temperatures can lead to chilling damage. It does not withstand prolonged travelling. To reduce damage and bruise during truck transport, place the fruits on a layer of dried grass.  Watermelons should not be stored or transported with apples, tomatoes, muskmelon, or bananas because the ethylene released by these fruits speeds up softening and the development of off flavour in watermelons. Long periods of storage have a considerable risk of causing freshness and colour deterioration.

Which are the Major Watermelon Producing States in India 2023-24?

According to the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Animal Husbandry, the total production of watermelon in India 2023-24 was 3,721.26 metric tonnes. Below are the top watermelon producing states: