Watermelon responds well to fertilizers, especially to organic matter. The amount required depends on the nutrient status of the soil. In general application at a rate of 20–30 t/ha organic manure, 50–60 kg N, 10–15 kg P and 20–30 kg K per ha is suitable for good performance.
A soil test is recommended for each field to be planted. The fertilizer doses to be applied depend on variety, fertility of soil, climate and season of planting. Changes in bed spacing often lead to needed changes in fertilizer amounts.
Generally well decomposed FYM (15-20 t/ha) is mixed with the soil during plough.
The recommended dose of fertilizer to be applied per hectare is 100 kg N, 50 kg P2 O5 and 50 kg K2 O.
Watermelons are a relatively long-season crop; therefore, applying fertilizer in small amounts several times throughout the season will maximize production.
Current recommendations include applying All required phosphorus (and should remain available throughout the growing season because it is relatively immobile in the soil.) plus one third of the N and K before planting and following this with two more applications at 3 and 6 weeks of the remaining N and K.
It is better to complete all the fertilizer applications just before the fruit set.
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