DEPENDENCE OF THE DURATION OF DEVELOPMENTAL PHASES OF WATERMELON VARIETIES ON IRRIGATION REGIMES AND MINERAL FERTILIZATION RATES
Keywords:
watermelon, developmental phases, irrigation regime, mineral fertilization, phenology, limited field moisture capacity, varietal response.Abstract
This study investigated the effect of irrigation regimes and mineral fertilization rates on the duration of developmental phases of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) varieties under irrigated field conditions during the 2022–2024 growing seasons. The experiment was conducted using a two-factor design with four irrigation regimes based on limited field moisture capacity (60–70–65%, 65–75–70%, 70–80–75%, and 75–85–80% LFMC) and four mineral fertilization levels (control, N₁₀₀P₈₀K₄₀, N₁₂₀P₁₀₀K₅₀, and N₁₄₀P₁₂₀K₆₀ kg/ha). Two watermelon varieties, ‘Shirin’ and ‘Sharq ne’mati’, were evaluated. The results showed that the sowing–emergence phase was not affected by the tested factors, while the duration of later phenological stages varied significantly depending on irrigation and fertilization treatments. Optimal soil moisture combined with balanced mineral nutrition accelerated flowering and fruit formation while extending the active growth period. The irrigation regime of 70–80–75% LFMC combined with N₁₂₀P₁₀₀K₅₀ or N₁₄₀P₁₂₀K₆₀ ensured the most balanced phenological development. Varietal differences indicated higher growth potential of ‘Shirin’ and greater adaptability of ‘Sharq ne’mati’. The findings highlight the importance of integrated water and nutrient management for regulating watermelon development and improving cultivation efficiency.
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