PLANTING MATERIALS, AND NUTRIENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT

FRUIT CROPS PLANTATION CROPS VEGETABLE CROPS HERBS

Watermelon Dragon fruit Coconut Black Pepper Carrot Okra Spearmint Lemon Grass
Planting Seeds Seeds Seedling (from seed nuts) Seeds Seeds Seeds Seeds Seeds
Materials Stem cuttings Marcotting Division Division(Bulbs)
(propagation Stem cuttings Cuttings
) Stolons
Runners
Nutrient and Water Management
Water 400 to 600 mm/100-day 500 – 2000 mm/year 1300-2300 mm/year 600 to 900 15-35 mm/week 547 mm/year 1000 mm / 700-3000
Requirement mm/year season mm/year
Nutrient
Requirement
Soil Aged manure, seaweed, Compost or other organic Aged manure, seaweed, Compost or other Wood ash, bone Manure, Organic Compost,
Amendments and/or compost matter and/or compost organic matter meal, lime shredded paper, matter, well- Well-rotted
chopped leaves, drained soil, manure,
grass clipping, pH level, Perlite,
and chopped mulch Vermiculite,
pine barks Sand
Macro Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Nitrogen, Nitrogen, Nitrogen, Nitrogen,
Nutrients Potassium and Potassium and Potassium Phosphorus, and Phosphorus, Phosphorus, Phosphorus, Phosphorus,
Potassium and Potassium and Potassium and Potassium and Potassium
Micro Iron, manganese, zinc and Iron, manganese, zinc Iron, manganese, zinc and Iron, manganese, Iron, Iron, Iron, Iron,
Nutrients boron and boron boron zinc and boron manganese, manganese, manganese, manganese,
zinc and boron zinc and boron zinc and boron zinc and boron
Fertilization Apply 10 to 15 tons of Application of combined Apply 50 kg FYM or Fertilizer The general Generally, it is During land Combined
manure per hectare. Apply complete fertilizer (14-14- manure or green manure application 72-98 fertilizer recommended preparation application of
complete fertilizer at the 14) and organic every 3 from the 5th year kg ha-1. N, 60 kg recommendatio to use 100 kg N, - FYM 25-30 compost,
rate of 100 to 150 months as much as onwards. Apply 1.3 kg ha-1 P and 13 to n is 126 kg/ha 60 kg P2O5, Tonnes mycorrhiza,
kilograms per hectare at possible or every six urea (560 g N), 2.0 kg 42 kg ha-1 K. Nitrogen (N), 71 and 50 kg K2O During and NPK
planting time by hand months. A dose of 2 kg of superphosphate (320 g These fertilizers kg/ha for maximum Planting fertilization at
placement 5 to 8 cm below organic plus 25 g of urea P2O5), and 2.0 kg muriate should be applied Phosphorus yield. Half the N - 100 kg Urea the rate of
the soil and 5 to 6 cm away plus 75 g of a complete of potash (1200 g K2O) in at the depth of 12 Pentoxide and the full dose 300 kg SSP 120-90-90 kg
to the side where seeds are fertilizer per plant is two equal distributions to 15 cm a (P2O5), and 175 of P2O5 and 60 kg MOP NPK/ha.
placed. suggested. during June-July and distance of 25 to kg/ha Potassium K2O are applied 5 weeks
December-January. 30 cm from base. Oxide (K2O). at the cultivation after planting
It is required to time. Half if - Urea
well mix these given 30 days 50 kg
manures and after sowing and
fertilizers in the after that
soil with the help perform earthing
 of fork or any up operation.
other
instruments.

PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Watermelon
Major Pests Symptoms Management Image
Melon Fly Yellowing leaves Netting or row covers
Tunneling or scars Regular insecticides
Rotting fruit Sanitation and disposal
Maggots inside
Premature wilting

Aphids Sticky honeydew Use insecticidal soap

Curling leaves Attract beneficial insects
Stunted growth Prune affected areas
Yellowing foliage
Distorted shoots

Spider Mites Yellowing leaves Apply neem oil

Fine webbing Increase humidity
Stippling damage Use miticides
Leaf curling
Premature wilting

White Flies Sticky honeydew Use sticky traps.

White winged insects Apply neem oil.
Yellowing leaves Release natural predators.
Reduced vigor Prune affected leaves.
Sooty mold growth Apply insecticidal soap.
Maintain good plant health
Beetles Leaf damage Handpick beetles.
Holes in leaves Apply insecticides.
Defoliation Use row covers.
Chewed fruit Rotate crops.
Scarring on stems Practice crop sanitation.
Encourage natural predators

Root-knot Nematode Stunted growth Plant resistant varieties.

Wilting plants Crop rotation.
Root galls Use nematode-free soil.
Yellowing leaves Apply soil solarization.
Reduced yield Implement proper irrigation.
Nematode-targeted chemicals.

Major Diseases
Powdery Mildew White powdery spots Apply fungicides.
Leaf curling Prune infected leaves.
Yellowing leaves Improve air circulation.
Reduced fruit quality Plant resistant varieties.
Stunted growth Avoid overhead watering.
Remove affected plant debris

Anthracnose Circular lesions Use disease-resistant varieties.

Sunken spots Apply fungicides.
Dark fruit rot Practice crop rotation.
Leaf wilting Remove and destroy infected plant debris.
Spore-bearing structures Improve air circulation.
Avoid overhead irrigation.

Downy Mildew Yellowing leaves Apply fungicides regularly.

Fuzzy gray growth Space plants for air circulation.
Angular leaf spots Avoid overhead watering.
Leaf curling Use resistant varieties.
Reduced fruit quality Practice crop rotation.
Remove infected leaves.
Fusarium Wilt Wilting plants Plant resistant varieties.
Yellowing leaves Practice crop rotation.
Stunted growth Use disease-free seeds.
Brown vascular tissue Maintain soil health.
Leaf necrosis Avoid over-irrigation.
Apply fungicides if necessary.

Gummy Stem Blight (Black Rot) Dark lesions on leaves Plant disease-resistant varieties.
V-shaped lesions at leaf margins Practice crop rotation.
Wilting vines Space plants for air circulation.
Stem cankers Apply fungicides preventively.
Fruit rot Remove and destroy infected plant debris.
Avoid overhead watering.

Watermelon Mosaic V Mottled leaves Use virus-free seeds.

Yellowing patterns Remove infected plants.
Stunted growth Control aphid vectors.
Reduced fruit size Use reflective mulch.
Mosaic patterns Promote plant health.
Plant resistant varieties if available

FRUIT CROPS PLANTATION CROPS VEGETABLE CROPS HERBS

Watermelon Dragon fruit Coconut Black Pepper Carrot Okra Spearmint Lemon Grass
Weed Mechanical - tillage, hoeing Mulching Manual Weeding Mulching Mechanical - Mechanical- Mechanical - Mechanical-
Control and hand weeding Mechanical Weeding Mulching Hand Weeding Hand weeding, Hand pulling Hand Pulling, Hand pulling
Cultural - transplanting, Chemical Application Chemical Herbicides Mechanical torsion weeder, Cultural- Hoeing, Cultural-
proper fertilizer application, Cover Crops Control and basket Mulching Mulching and Mulching
irrigation, use of cover Mechanical Methods Herbicides weeder Chemical- Weed Barrier Chemical-
crops Weed Barrier Fabric Interplanting Cultural - Proper herbicides Fabric, herbicides
Chemical - Herbicides Regular Maintenance Spacing Spacing, tillage, Regular
Integrated Pest Weed-Free cover crops Mowing,
Management (IPM) Zones Chemical - Edging, Hand
Pre-Emergent Herbicides Cultivation
Herbicides Cultural -
Integrated Pest Proper
Management Spacing,
 (IPM) Regular
Maintenance
and
Chemical -
Pre-Emergent
Herbicides,
Post-Emergent
Herbicides,
Glyphosate-
Based
Herbicides

HARVEST AND POSTHARVEST ACTIVITIES

FRUIT CROPS PLANTATION CROPS VEGETABLE CROPS HERBS
Watermelon Dragon fruit Coconut Black Pepper Carrot Okra Spearmint Lemon Grass
Harvesting
Maturity - dull hollow sound - harvested 28-32 days - color - Color Change - harvesting - Harvest - development - Starts
Indices - white to cream or pale after flowering - sound - Size and within 100-120 typically occurs of the plant's flowering
yellow of the skin area - fruit exhibits a full color - weight - Glossiness days from 3 to 7 days after aroma - determined
- Shriveling of tendrils on change from green to - age - Aroma sowing flowering. Okra - plant begins by its height
nodes bright pink or red - eye appearance - Taste Test - small or should be to flower and the
- Slight ribbing on surface of - shell texture - Dry Matter medium sized harvested when - indicating the number of
fruit - water content Content preferred the fruit is bright highest leaves
- Brix test - taste - On-Vine Drying green, the pod concentration
- aroma - Harvest Period is fleshy and of essential
- Visual seeds are small. oils and flavor
Inspection After that period, compounds
the pod
becomes pithy
and tough, and
the green color
and mucilage
content
decrease.
Methods of To safely harvest melons, Harvested using pruning Manual coconut harvesting Hand Harvesting: To harvest, Harvest okra Spearmint can Lemongrass is
Harvesting use a sharp knife to cut shears. involves: The most loosen soil pods using be harvested usually
them from the vines, avoid 1. Identifying ripe coconuts common method around the garden pruners by simply harvested by
pulling them to prevent by their brown color. for harvesting carrot with a or scissors cutting the cutting the
cracking, and handle them 2. Prioritizing safety with black pepper is spade or trowel leaving a short stems about 1- outer stalks at
carefully during windrowing protective gear and by hand. Skilled before pulling up stub attached to 2 inches above ground level
and transportation to precautions. laborers carefully from the greens; the fruit. the ground with a sharp
 prevent breakage, with a 3. Using a specialized tool pick the ripe this will help Okra should be level using knife or
particular emphasis on not for cutting coconut stems. pepper berries avoid breaking harvested “cut- sharp scissors scissors,
stacking them on the 4. Carefully cutting using their hands the greens off and-come- or pruning ensuring not to
blossom end. coconuts without or small hand from the carrot again”—that shears. It's damage the
damaging them. tools like scissors roots. Carrots means pick best to harvest central clump,
5. Collecting coconuts in a or pruners. Hand mature roughly pods every in the morning and then
secure container. harvesting allows around the other day so when the removing the
6. Cleaning and sorting for selective same time, but that you get essential oil tough outer
coconuts based on size picking of ripe you don't have pods when they content is at its leaves to
and quality. berries while to harvest them are tender and highest for the access the
7. Handling coconuts with leaving unripe all at once. taste best. most flavor. tender inner
care during transport. ones to mature Leaving them in stalks.
8. Considering post- further. the soil is the
harvest processing based best
on use. preservation.
9. Storing coconuts in
ideal conditions.
10. Regular quality checks
to prevent spoilage.

Postharvest Pack the fruits in bamboo Fruits are harvested using Effective postharvest Postharvest Wash carrots as Okra should be For After
Handling crates lined with old pruning shears and are coconut handling involves handling of black soon as cooled within a postharvest harvesting,
newspaper or rice straw collected in plastic crates several essential steps: pepper is possible after few hours after handling of lemongrass
when transporting. before hauling to the essential for harvesting to harvest to spearmint, it's should be
Line platforms with rice packing area. Fruits are Cleaning maintaining its remove soil prevent pod essential to cleaned, dried
straw when displaying and then sorted and those Drying quality. Key steps particles and darkening and promptly thoroughly to
storing watermelons. The passing quality standards Sorting and Grading include cleaning plant debris, and deterioration. remove reduce
fruits of some varieties can by the buyer are packed in Packaging to remove to reduce field The best damaged or moisture
be stored for a month under fiberboard boxes or Storage impurities, drying heat. To prevent storage yellowed content, and
this condition. cartons for delivery to the Transport to reduce infection of temperature is leaves, gently stored in a
local market. The fruit has Processing moisture content, carrot by 10°C (50°F). wash the cool, dry place
a relatively short shelf life Quality Control and fermentation bacterial soft rot, Pod quality can remaining to maintain its
even at low temperatures Hygiene for black pepper it is be maintained leaves to aroma and
and extending its Compliance to remove the recommended for up to 10 remove dirt, flavor.
marketability after harvest Value Addition outer skin. to wash the days at this and store them
is one of the main Market Timing Winnowing carrot with 0.2 temperature. in a perforated
challenges. separates % chlorinated plastic bag in
peppercorns from water (2 mL the refrigerator
husks, followed sodium to maintain
by grading based hypochlorite freshness for
on size and (Eau de Javel) / up to one to
quality. Proper L of water). two weeks.
packaging and Proper
storage prevent temperature
moisture and pest and humidity
damage. control are
Transportation crucial to
ensures careful preserving the
handling, and flavor and
quality control aroma of
checks maintain spearmint.
standards.
Ultimately, the
processed pepper
is distributed to
markets,
preserving its
distinct flavor and
aroma. Careful
execution of each
step is vital for
this prized
spiceries. The
fruit has a
relatively short
shelf life even at
low temperatures
and extending its
marketability after
harvest is one of
the main
challenges.
References:

Japan International Cooperation Agency, Agriculture and Food Authority Horticultural Crops
Directorate, & Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries State Department for Crop
Development & Agricultural Research. (n.d.). Watermelon Production (6th ed.). MOALF/SHEP
PLUS.

Cresastre. (2010, November 2). BLACK PEPPER CULTURAL MANAGEMENT. AGRICULTURE ON

THE MOVE. https://letsplantsomething.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/black-pepper-cultural- management

Watermelon | Diseases and Pests, Description, Uses, Propagation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/watermelon/infos#!

Magsasaka, J. (2023, March 19). Watermelon (Pakwan) Cultivation Guide: All You Need to Know in Planting, Growing and Harvesting Watermelon. Retrieved from
https://www.juanmagsasaka.com/2020/12/watermelon-pakwan- cultivation-guide-all.html