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An experiment was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala, to study the effect of fertigation, drip irrigation, and training levels on the yield and quality of watermelon under rain shelter. The treatments were factorial combinations of three fertigation levels (75, 100 and 125 % recommended dose (RD) of 70:50:120 NPK ha-1), two irrigation levels (0.6 and 0.8 evapotranspiration (ET) rates) and two training levels (nipping to one vine, nipping to two vines) arranged in randomized block design with two replications and control with surface irrigation, soil application of fertilizer and horizontal training of vines. Levels of fertigation and irrigation exerted a significant influence on fruit weight and yield plant-1. Total yields were highest at 100 % RD (115.68 t ha-1) as compared to 125 % RD (94.81 t ha-1). The number of fruits plant-1 was unaffected by fertigation and irrigation treatments. Vertical training of two vines in watermelon resulted in the highest number of fruits plant-1 (6.09). TSS was unaffected by fertilization, irrigation, or training levels. Under a rain shelter, lycopene and ascorbic acid levels were affected by a lack of irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different levels of fertigation and drip irrigation on yield and quality of watermelon. Fertigation treatments were 75, 100 and 125 % recommended dose of fertilizer (RD). Irrigation treatments were 0.6 and 0.8 evapotranspiration (ET) rates. One control was taken with surface irrigation and conventional soil application of fertilizers. Levels of fertigation and irrigation exerted significant influence on number of fruits plant-1 and yield plant-1. Total yield was highest at 100 % RD (91.1 t ha-1) compared to 125 % RD (80.13 t ha-1). Fertigation at 100 % RD recorded highest number of fruits which was on par with 125 % RD. There was increase in number of fruits plant-1 and fruit yield with increase in irrigation level from 0.6 to 0.8 ET. Fertigation at 100 % RD recorded the highest yield of 8.51 kg plant-1. Fertigation and irrigation levels had no influence on fruit weight. TSS, lycopene, ascorbic acid and sugar contents did not increase with deficit irrigation of 0.6 ET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]