Discover key facts about watermelon cultivation, from soil needs to common pests. Ideal for enthusiasts and students interested in horticulture and sustainable agriculture.
Which type of soil is most suitable for successful watermelon cultivation due to its drainage and fertility characteristics?
Explanation: Sandy loam is ideal because it provides good drainage and retains enough nutrients for watermelon growth. Clay soils drain poorly and can stunt plants, peaty soils may hold too much water, and rocky soils lack nutrients and root space.
In temperate climates, what is the recommended season for planting watermelon seeds to ensure optimal growth and fruit development?
Explanation: Late spring ensures warm soil and air temperatures, which watermelons need to thrive. Planting in early winter or mid autumn exposes seedlings to cold, while late summer is too late for full maturation.
What agent is most commonly responsible for pollinating watermelon flowers in open-field agricultural systems?
Explanation: Bees are the primary pollinators of watermelons, transferring pollen effectively between flowers. Wind is not efficient due to the flower structure, self-pollination occurs rarely, and butterflies play a minor role.
Which nutrient should be most emphasized when fertilizing watermelon during its fruiting stage to promote large, sweet fruits?
Explanation: Potassium is crucial during fruiting for size and sweetness. Nitrogen encourages leaf growth over fruit, calcium helps overall plant structure but is less critical at this stage, and phosphorus is more important during early root development.
Which pest is a frequent problem in watermelon fields, characterized by feeding on foliage and sometimes transmitting viruses?
Explanation: Aphids frequently affect watermelons by feeding on sap and spreading diseases. Termites rarely target watermelons, cutworms mainly cut seedlings at soil level, and ladybugs are beneficial insects that eat pests like aphids.