Evaluating the Combined Effect of Intergrated Nutrient Management and Biostimulants Fertilizers on Growth and Flowering Characteristic of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.)

The study was conducted in the early summer season (January-March) and late summer season (AprilJune) 2024 in Ananthamangalam, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the combined effect of integrated nutrient management and bio stimulants fertilizers on growth and flowering characteristics of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.). The research included 10 treatments and 3 replications using Randomized Block Design (RBD). In the early and late summer season, T8 - RDF 75 % + VC + Azotobacter + Boron + Seaweed extract @ 3ml/l + Humic acid @0.1% recorded, the maximum results at 30, 45 and 60 DAS in vine length (101.8, 124.95, and 190.22 cm) and (89.83, 113.26 and 179.16 cm), number of branches (5.34, 7.12, and 9.05) and (5.11, 6.81 and 7.97), number of leaves (12.33, 26.63 and 36.40) and (10.67, 25.66 and 35.33) respectively. Also, the days required for the first flower (46.46 and 50.41) and the days required for 50% of flowers (53.27 and 60.85) recorded minimum days in both the early and late summer seasons. The study concluded that T8- RDF 75 % + VC + Azotobacter + Boron + Seaweed extract @ 3ml/l + Humic acid @0.1% showed the best results in both seasons. When compared between the two seasons late season summer crops recorded maximum vegetative characters and flowering characters than early season summer crops.