Glasnik Zaštite Bilja, Vol. 29 No. 6, 2006.
Original scientific paper
Production and protection of watermelon
Petar Mitrović
; Naučni institut za ratarstvo i povrtarstvo, Novi Sad
Abstract
In recent years, production of watermelons has taken an place in the vegetable produktion in Serbija. With regard to acreage and yield, the most important watermelongrowing regions of Serbia are Bačka, Srem and Mačva. Dutch, Danish and American hybrids predominate in the production (Farao, Top Gun, Dumara, Lady, Samanta, Giant Frech, Stargazer, Vasco,Varda, Crimson Knight, Sultan, etc.). According to commercial catalogues, all of these hybrids are mostly resistant (tolerant) to major diseases (Colletotrichum lagenarium, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melo). However,depending on wheather conditions in individual years (1997. 1999, 2001), phytopathogenic fungi caused significant redukctions in watermelon yield and quality. Disease occurrence was amplified by monoculture. The popularity of this practice was due to farm size and availability of irrigation facilities. In addition to the above fungi, significant damage is also caused by the fungus Didymella bryoniae. Significant damage is also caused by harmful insects (larvae of Elateridae, Scarabeidae, Noctuidae and Delia platurae). Mysus persicaeis is frequently encountered on the aboveground parts, while Aphis fabae and Phylotreta spp. are registered in some years. Tetranichus atlanticus causes significant damage in some years, as was the case in 2003. Yield reductions and poor development of the vegetative mass observed in some productionfield were due to poor agrotechical practices, i. e., small amounta of mineral fertilizers and absence of organic fertilizers. It was concluded that improvements in watermelon yield and quality may be ensured by the application of organic fertiliyers, increased use of mineral fertiliyers, correct crop rotation, improved agrotechnical practies, watermelon grafing on Lagenaria rootstocks and the application of fungicides and insecticides.
Keywords
agrotechnical practies; hybrids; watermelon production; fertilizers; parasites; regions
Hrčak ID:
164207
URI
Publication date:
21.12.2006.
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