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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research
Effect of variety and some cultural practices on yield, quality, cracking
and blossom-end rot of watermelons (Citrullus lanatus)
E.E. Ali1, A. M. Badreldin 2, M.D. Mohamed 1
and K.A. Mirgani2
Abstract:
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) requires light soils for successful
production. In the heavy clays its production faces many problems such as
small size fruits, cracking and blossom-end rot (BER). For its production in
the vast clays of central Sudan, varieties that are resistant to BER and
cracking are required. Three experiments were conducted at the heavy clays
of the University of Gezira experimental farm to study the effect of variety
and some cultural practices on the above mentioned problems. The introduced
elongated variety "Charleston Grey" was found to be highly susceptible to
cracking and BER. The introduced round variety "Crimson Sweet" gave the
highest percentage of cracked fruits. The round local types "HSD 0319"
and "HSD 0177" gave the lowest percentage of cracked fruits with BER. Three
types of organic fertilizers, human waste (5 tons/fed), processed organic
fertilizer (2 tons/fed) and farm yard manure (5 tons/fed) had no significant
effect on yield or quality parameters of the variety "Charleston Grey". The
addition of calcium in the form of gypsum banded at the rate of20 kg/l00 m1
or as wauxal suspension foliar spray (3 litres/ha) did not significantly
reduce cracking or BER of variety "Charleston Grey".
Keywords:
Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 1(1998) PP. 49-52
