Climate and soil requirement for growing Squash melon
Squash melon is a warm season crop but has a wide range of adaptability and can be grown at a temperature between 250C to 300C. Growth is slow at low temperature. Tinda can be grown in soil ranging from sandy loam to silt loam.
Improved Squash melon Variety
1.Tinda 48
Its vines are 75-100 cm long. Leaves are light green and deeply lobed. Fruits are medium sized with an average weight of 50 g each. Their shape is flat round, pubescent and shining light green. Flesh is white. It yields 25 q/acre.
Agronomic Practices for Squash melon cultivation
Sowing time
1. February-March 2. June-July
Seed rate
1.5 kg per acre
Spacing
The seeds are sown on both sides of the beds of width 1.5 m at a spacing of 45 cm. Seeds may be soaked overnight in water to ensure proper germination. Sow at least two seeds at one spot.
Manure and Fertilizers for Squash Melon
It requires 40 kg N (90 kg Urea), 20 kg of P2O5 (125 kg of Single Superphosphate) and 20 kg of K2O (35 kg of Muriate of Potash). Apply one-third of N along with a full dose of P2O 5 and K2O at the time of sowing. Apply rest of the N during the early period of the growth.
Irrigation of Squash melon
The seeds are sown on the pre-irrigated furrows on the top of a ridge on both sides of the beds. Subsequent irrigation is applied on the second or third day after sowing. During summer, irrigate after 4.5 days. In the rainy season, irrigation is applied depending on the intensity of rains.
Harvesting of Squash melon
Fruits are ready for first picking after 60 days of sowing. First fruits should be picked as early as possible so as to facilitate further fruit setting. The other pickings should be done when fruits are medium in size and tender. Picking is done at 3-4 days interval.
Seed Production
For seed production, an isolation distance of 800 m is maintained from other varieties of squash melon. Three field inspections should be conducted, first before flowering, second at flowering and fruiting and third before harvesting of the seed crop. All off type and diseased plants should be rogued off. The mature fruits turn their color into dull. These are picked and crushed with hands in fresh water so as to separate the seeds from the pulp. The heavier seeds settle at the bottom and are retained.
Source-
- Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.
