Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), large fruit with a spherical shape and a dark green and a smooth rind is a vining annual plant of the Cucurbitaceae plant family related to pumpkin and cucumber which is said to have originated from the Kalahari Desert in Africa with proof of being first cultivated in Ancient Egypt.
The water content in watermelon which is approximately 92%, makes it one of the top thirst-suppressing fruits. It has a sweet and crunchy flesh of different colors orange, white, yellow, however, the most common type is the deep reddish one. While some have seeds that are brown, white, yellow, green, etc, some varieties are seedless.
Watermelon has been recognized to have various health benefits with the tendency to limit heart-related disorders. It is extraordinarily nutritional and due to its high nutritional content, it is widely consumed. The crunchy and sugary nature also makes it everyone’s favorite.
Growing watermelon is one of the most lucrative agribusinesses in Nigeria because of its high turnover of cultivation in a short time and contrary to what is being speculated, watermelon can be grown anywhere in Nigeria.
Watermelon is not seasonal, and it can be grown all year round, thereby allowing one to harvest three sets of watermelon fruits within a year.
Watermelon farming is very simple to start and cultivate as it does not have to do with much work/ technical knowledge.
However, to succeed in watermelon farming, just like any other farming activity, choosing the right seeds to plant comes first like the kind of seeds you plant is directly proportional to your yield.
There are different seed products bred to assist growers to succeed in this business from reputable producers such as Syngenta, Baker Brothers, East-West Seeds, and Sakata.
Some of the well-known varieties are Greytop F1, Greymax F1, Elghali F1, Sweet Sangria F1, and Super Kaolak which are high yielding, disease tolerance, and resistant varieties. Check www.seedhub.ng
Watermelon is highly financially rewarding and marketable and the start-up costs for this business are very low.
Though there are three planting seasons for watermelon, early planting is from March to May, mid planting season, June /July, and late planting, August /September, with a good irrigation facility, watermelon can be planted all year round.
Growing this fruit requires a light, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 that is also rich in organic matter as these will give the plants the desired nutrients.
Watermelon needs adequate water and prospers well in a hot and dry climate, this could be the reason for being popularly cultivated In the Northern part of the country but that’s still not saying it can only be grown in the North!
To plant in the South, the beginning of the wet season or towards the tip of the wet season is suitable.
The explanation for this can be as a result of the low moisture levels related to this period. Remember, watermelon loves a hot and dry climate, it won’t grow well in wet soil.
The space to be used should be plowed before planting to create room for the movement of roots and enhanced penetration of water.
Diseases in watermelon can occur at any time during its production cycle and of course, can affect all plant parts resulting in reducing yield and quality.
Diseases are caused by;
- Pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes)
- Chemical havoc such as inappropriate use of pesticides or pollution.
- Environmental conditions, such as soil moisture, soil imbalance in terms of nutrients, or pH level.
To achieve expected yield and quality, diseases in watermelon are best tackled by involving Integrated pest management (IPM) which comprises using different strategies like planting high-quality seeds/disease-resistant varieties, crop rotation, planting at the right time, effective weed management, sanitation, adopting proper pest control measures, and choosing the appropriate irrigation system to manage pests and diseases rather than a single management practice such as chemical control only.
Using a drip system is preferable to sprinkle because it does not wet foliage, a condition that favors the spread and development of many diseases.
Watermelons take 80 to 90 days after sowing to mature, however, some varieties take lesser days. They are ready to be harvested when the fruit loses its shiny appearance on top and becomes dull when the underneath of the fruit starts to turn yellow from a greenish-white and the strand nearest to the fruit starts to turn brown and dry out.
All the elements of this fruit have health benefits and can be utilized to produce nutritious value-added products such as yogurt, watermelon juice, wine, powder, jam. etc.
Why not try this out?🤷♀️
