BASIC PRACTICES FOR VEGETABLES PRODUCTION

Transcription

1 BASIC PRACTICES FOR VEGETABLES PRODUCTION SOUTH SUDAN AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SSADP) APRIL 2017

2 Table of Contents 1. Basic Practices for Leafy Vegetables... 3 (Amaranth, Night shade, Jute mallow, Spider flower and cow pea leaves) Basic Practices for Chinese cabbage, Kale/Swiss chard Basic Practices for Cabbage Basic Practices for Carrots Basic Practices for Cucumber Basic Practices for Okra Basic Practices for Onions Basic Practices for Sweet Pepper Basic Practices for Tomatoes Basic Practices for Water Melon Table of Figures FIGURE 1: AMARANTH SOWING USING EMPTY PLASTIC BOTTLE FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY (LEFT) AND SEED COVERING USING COMPOST... 3 FIGURE 2: AMARANTH CROP AT EARLY STAGES, SOWN IN LINES FOR EASY MANAGEMENT... 4 FIGURE 3: VEGETABLE COW PEA CROP AT EARLY STAGES (FOR LEAVES) SOWN IN LINES... 4 FIGURE 4: APHIDS ATTACKS IN CABBAGE... 8 FIGURE 5: BLACK ROT DISEASE IN CABBAGE... 8 FIGURE 6: THINNING CARROT TO CORRECT SPACING... 9 FIGURE 7: EFFECTS OF NEMATODES IN CARROTS (LEFT) AS CAN BE DIFFERENTIATED TO THAT OF PYTHIUM (RIGHT) FIGURE 8: TRELLISING PREPARATION IN CUCUMBER FIELD WITH DRIP IRRIGATION FIGURE 9: V SHAPED CUCUMBER TRELLISING FIGURE 10: DISORDERS RELATED TO POOR POLLINATION IN CUCUMBER FIGURE 11: BEES ON CUCUMBER POLLINATION FIGURE 12: A WELL TRELLISED AND MANAGED CUCUMBER FARM FIGURE 13: OKRA FIELD FLOWERING DURING FIELD DAY FIGURE 14: USE OF ONION MARKERS TO ENABLE TRANSPLANTING ON CORRECT SPACE FIGURE 15: THRIPS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON ONIONS FIGURE 16: EFFECTS OF ALTENARIA PORRI LEFT AND THAT OF BOTRYTIS SQUAMOSA RIGHT ON ONION FIGURE 17: PEPPER TRELLISING BY POLES AND TWINES HELP TO SUPPORT PLANTS FROM FALLING FIGURE 18: SPOON SHAPED LEAVES OF SWEET PEPPER DUE TO RED SPIDER MITES ATTACK FIGURE 19: TRELLISING FOR BUSH VARIETY OF TOMATO FIGURE 20: TRELLISING STANDING TOMATO VARIETY WITH BAMBOOS FIGURE 21: CROP ORIENTATION TO ENABLE EASY PASSAGE DURING FARM OPERATIONS AND FURROW IRRIGATION FIGURE 22: DISORDERS (IRREGULAR SHAPE) DUE TO POOR POLLINATIO OR INSUFFICIENT IRRIGATION OR INJURY P a g e

3 1. Basic Practices for Leafy Vegetables (Amaranth, Night shade, Jute mallow, Spider flower and cow pea leaves) Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe followed by harrowing to a fine tilth; Prepare raised beds (30-45cm) 1m wide spaced at 1.5m from center to center is required. Propagation Two types: 1. Direct sowing. 2. Transplanting. Sowing Using makers, make seed sowing rills 25cm apart with 4 lines per bed, 0.5-1cm deep. Seed rate: 1Kg/Feddan Using a seed can, drill the seeds into rills by shaking the seed can; Cover the seeds using fine sand, composite or soil; Apply enough water by sprinkler, watering cans, or drip irrigation; Seeds can be mixed with sand at a ratio of 1:3 (1 part of seed to 3 parts of sand) to enable good spacing between the seedlings/plants. Figure 1: Amaranth sowing using empty plastic bottle for high efficiency (left) and seed covering using compost 3 P a g e

4 Figure 2: Amaranth crop at early stages, sown in lines for easy management Figure 3: Vegetable cow pea crop at early stages (for leaves) sown in lines 4 P a g e

5 Transplanting This can be done 3-4 weeks after sowing and transplanted at 15x15 or 15x20cm. Crop nutrition The use of manure (composite/animal) is highly recommended at 20kg/10M 2, together with the use of industrial fertilizers (nitrogenous) 25kg/Feddan. Irrigation Use of watering cans, drip irrigation or sprinkler irrigation and ensure enough moisture throughout the growing period. Pest and diseases There are little challenges from pest and diseases for leafy vegetables; mainly aphids which can easily be controlled by proper cultural practices and chemical spray. Weed management Good land preparation, hand weeding or uprooting are the main important weed management practices. Use of non-selective weed killers such as glyphosate and paraquat can be used 3 weeks before sowing. This will reduce weeding during production. Harvesting Thinning of large size crop starts 3-4 weeks after sowing and can be repeated every after 1 week until the entire crop is harvested. To have continuous market supply, it is advisable to produce at least ¼ of an acre (Feddan) every one or two weeks. For transplanted crop: harvesting is continuous for about 4 to 5 months by cutting new sprouts every time. To encourage new sprouts, application of nitrogenous fertilizers such as SA and UREA is highly recommended at a rate of 25-50kg/Feddan. 5 P a g e

6 2. Basic Practices for Chinese cabbage, Kale/Swiss chard Land preparation Same land preparation as for Amaranth and other leafy vegetables as previously discussed. Transplanting Transplanting is done 3-4 weeks from seed sowing (read on nursery preparation and management in the nursery bulletin. For continuous crop a by monthly planting program can be adopted. Plant spacing of 45x30 cm 3 lines per bed or 90x30cm two lines per bed in zig zag pattern is recommended. The seed required is about 150g per feddan. Plant nutrition Use of composite or farm yard manure is encouraged together with nitrogenous fertilizers such as SA and UREA (50Kg/Feddan) for good yield and quality crop. Irrigation Furrow irrigation, use of water cans and drip irrigation can be used depending on situation to ensure good moisture supply all the time. Weed management Good land preparation, hand weeding or uprooting, and use of non-selective pre-emergence herbicides can be applied for weed management. Disease and Insect pests Leafy vegetables are harvested after a short time in the field, which makes them not to be prone to attacks from many pest and disease agents. Aphids is the most common pest that attack these crops and can easily be controlled by chemical application. Read SSADP Farm input reference tables for South Sudan for chemicals and their application. Harvesting Harvesting starts after days and can continue for 3-4 months by harvesting mature shoots and continuous management such as weeding, irrigation and fertilizer application. 6 P a g e

7 3. Basic Practices for Cabbage Nursery preparation Prepare raised beds 1m width and 1.5m from center to center; Mark 6 sowing drills per bed, 15cm between one drill to another; Using a seed can, drill the seeds into rills by shaking the seed can; Cover the seeds using fine sand, composite or soil; Apply enough water by sprinkler, watering cans, or drip irrigation; Cover beds by using black plastic and hold it firmly on the bed by soil earthing up; Observe the seed beds for seed emergence three times a day (morning, midday and evening). Seedlings will emerge after 2-4 depending on weather conditions; Remove the plastic immediately after seed emergence (even one!). Delayed plastic removal will result to burns and death of seedlings; Apply DAP fertilizer between the seed rills one week after planting; Spray proper insecticide for pest control; About 130g of cabbage seed is enough per acre/feddan if well sown and managed; Seedlings are ready for transplanting 3 to 4 weeks after sowing. Transplanting after 6-8 weeks has proved to be more beneficial to farmers in some parts of Tanzania if seedlings are more spaced at 5cm from plant to plant and well managed in nurseries. This reduces mortalities due to transplanting shock and saves money from field management as half of the time is spent in the field. Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe followed by harrowing to a fine bed; Prepare raised beds (30-45cm) round topped, spaced at 1m from center to center if furrow irrigation is used and 1.5m from center to center if drip irrigation is used. Transplanting Select seedlings by size, i.e. large, medium and small and transplant each at a time; Irrigate the farm to field capacity one day before transplanting; Using marking stick, mark planting holes at recommended spacing of 30-45cm depending on fertilizer usage and general management, double lines per bed in zigzag pattern; Apply starter solution and transplant immediately. Weed management This is done to ensure that the crop grows free from weeds throughout the growing season by hand weeding, uprooting, use of herbicides. Mulch or plastic mulch in case of drip irrigation are recommended. Crop nutrition Application of DAP shortly after transplanting is highly recommended, and then followed up by application of any nitrogenous fertilizer three weeks after. Each type of fertilizer should be applied at a rate of 50Kg/Feddan; Depending on crop performance, the application of foliar fertilizers with trace elements should be done every after two weeks; Insects Mainly cut worm, grasshopper, aphids, lopper and diamond back moth (See pest and diseases fact sheet for control). 7 P a g e

8 Figure 4: Aphids attacks in cabbage Diseases Black rot (Xanthomonas campestris) Cabbage soft rot (Erwinia, Pectobacterium na Pseudomonas) Cabbage soft rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) Figure 5: Black rot disease in cabbage Control Good land preparation, avoid water logging condition, use crop rotation, use resistant varieties, good crop nutrition, observe field sanitation. Harvesting About 16,000-24,000 heads of cabbage can be harvested per feddan depending on planting density and matures days after planting, depending on varieties. 8 P a g e

9 4. Basic Practices for Carrots Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe followed by harrowing to a fine bed; Prepare raised beds (30-45cm) 1m wide spaced at 1.5m from center to center. Using makers, make seed sowing rills 25cm apart with 4 lines per bed. Sowing Using a seed cans, drill the seeds into rills by shaking the seed can; Cover the seeds using fine sand or soil; Apply enough water by sprinkler, watering cans, or drip irrigation; Cover beds by using black plastic and hold it firmly on the bed by soil earthing up; Observe the seed beds for seed emergence three times a day (morning, midday and evening). Carrot seeds will emerge after 3-5 depending on weather conditions; Remove the plastic immediately after seed emergence (even one!). Delayed plastic removal will result to burns and death of seedlings; Seed rate, 1kg/Feddan. Thinning This is done 3 weeks after emergence to reduce the seedlings in rills, then repeated two weeks later by leaving plants at 8cm between the plants. This can easily be achieved by putting 3 fingers in between the plants. Figure 6: Thinning carrot to correct spacing Weeding Good land preparation reduces weed growth, however application of pre-emergence herbicides such as glyphosate for weed control before sowing is also useful; Hand weeding and weed uprooting is necessary throughout the growing period to keep the crop weed free. Fertilizers Application of DAP shortly after emergence is highly recommended, then followed up by NPK three weeks after then three weeks later depending on plant performance. Insect Pest White grub Diabrotica Nematodes 9 P a g e

10 Diseases Damping off (Pythium, Fusarium, Rizoctonia, Verticillum). Control/Management: Water management; avoid too much irrigation, use preventive fungicides Black spot (Altenaria). Control/Management: Avoid excess irrigation, use drip irrigation, good cultural practices, good crop nutrition (nitrogen), use preventive fungicides. Restrict movements into affected area; Powdery mildew. Control/Management: Restrict movement into affected area, use preventive fungicides, use over-head irrigation, and use adjuvant; Pythium root rot (Pythium spp). Control/Management: as for above fungi diseases. Figure 7: Effects of nematodes in carrots (left) as can be differentiated to that of pythium (right) Maturity: Carrot matures after 90 to 120 days depending on varieties. 10 P a g e

11 5. Basic Practices for Cucumber Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe followed by harrowing to a fine bed; Prepare raised beds (30-45cm) round topped, spaced at 1m from center to center. Sowing Sowing is done by putting one seed per hill 25cm apart, single line or by transplanting using seed trays. ½Kg of seed is needed per feddan. Weed management This is done to ensure that the crop grows free from weeds throughout the growing season by hand weeding, uprooting, use of herbicides, plastic mulch or use of dry grasses as mulch. Crop nutrition Application of DAP shortly after transplanting is highly recommended, then followed up by application of any nitrogenous fertilizer after two weeks and application of NPK two weeks later. At least 50Kg of NPK and DAP should be applied in a feddan; Depending on crop performance, the application of foliar fertilizers with trace elements should be done every after two weeks. Trellising Is done by using thick poles of about 1-2, spaced at 2m apart. By using twines, tie one line at the top and another one at the bottom and make V shaped crisscrosses. The plants tendrils will stick onto the twines and enable it to stand erect while growing. This will reduce diseases and fruit rot due to direct soil and water contact of the vines hen creeping on the ground. Figure 8: Trellising preparation in cucumber field with drip irrigation 11 P a g e

12 Figure 9: V shaped cucumber trellising. Note: strong strings at top and bottom and stage of crop at trellising Pollination This is a very import factor to be considered as cucumbers are insect pollinated. They have male and female flower separate, large and sticky pollen that cannot be transported by wind. Without attracting pollinators like honey bee, the production may highly be affected both in yield and quality. It is important to plant sunflower and other flowering plants on the borders of the farm to attract insect pollinators. Whenever necessary, bee hives can be integrated with cucumber production. Figure 10: Disorders related to poor pollination in cucumber 12 P a g e

13 Figure 11: Bees on cucumber pollination Figure 12: A well trellised and managed cucumber farm Insects Spotted and striped cucumber beetles (Diabrotica) Aphids: Aphis spp. They suck plant juice/sap and transmit virus to plants Pickleworm: Diaphania nitidalis Leaf miner: Liriomyza spp. Spotted spider mites: Tetranychus urticae 13 P a g e

14 Diseases Powdery mildew: Erysiphe cichoracearum and Sphaerotheca fulginea. Downy mildew: Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Anthracnose: Colletotrichum lagenarium. Angular leaf spot: Pseudomonas lachrymans. Bacteria wilt: Erwinia tracheiphila. Harvesting Starts 40 to 45 days after sowing depending on weather condition and variety. 14 P a g e

15 6. Basic Practices for Okra Figure 13: Okra field flowering during field day Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe followed by harrowing to a fine bed; Prepare raised beds (30-45cm) round topped, spaced at 0.75m from center to center for single row or 1m from center to center for double row. Planting Irrigate to field capacity, one day before planting to have good moisture for the seeds and plant at a spacing of 90x30cm row double or 75x30cm single row. It is advisable to soak the seeds overnight before planting for easy and quick germination. Seed required is 5kg/feddan. Weed management Weed management is done to ensure that the crop grows free from weeds throughout the growing season by hand weeding, uprooting or use of herbicides. It is advised to use nonselective pre-emergence herbicides for weed control before planting. This will enable crops to grow without weed competition from the beginning, then later hand weeding can be done. Crop nutrition Application of DAP during planting is highly recommended, then followed up by application of any nitrogenous fertilizer two weeks after and then followed by NPK (preferable uniform ratio) two weeks later. Depending on crop performance, the application of foliar fertilizers with trace elements should be done every two weeks. DAP and NPK requirement is 50Kg each for DAP and NPK per feddan. Irrigation Ensure the supply of enough moisture throughout the growing season by use of drip irrigation, gravity irrigation or overhead. 15 P a g e

16 Insect pest Okra is attacked by many insect pests such as cut worms, aphids, cotton stainer, boll worms, nematode, and spider mites. To be aware of the type of insect within the crop surrounding, it is advisable to have routine insect scouting of the farm. This can be done at least twice per week. General insect control measures Regular insect scouting; Removal of crop residues immediately after harvesting; Use of crop rotation; Observe field sanitation; Use of recommended insecticides. Diseases Common disease for okra are: Damping off, Fusarium wilt, Powderly mildew and bacterial blight. General control Use good certified seeds; Use correct plant density; Regular scouting; Field sanitation; Crop rotation; Use recommended fungicides. Harvesting Harvesting should be done when the fruits are still tender, 5 to 6 days after flowering. Delayed harvesting will reduce yields as the plants will not produce new flowers because all the energy produced will be spent in supporting the older fruit in grain seed development. 16 P a g e

17 7. Basic Practices for Onions Nursery preparation Prepare raised beds, 1m width and 1.5m from center to center; Mark 6 sowing drills per bed, 15cm between one drill to another; Using a seed cans, drill the seeds into rills by shaking the seed can; Cover the seeds using fine sand or soil; Apply enough water by sprinkler, watering cans, or drip irrigation; Cover beds by using black plastic and hold it firmly on the bed by soil earthing up; Observe the seed beds for seed emergence three times a day (morning, midday and evening). Carrot seeds will emerge after 2-4 depending on weather conditions; Remove the plastic immediately after seed emergence (even one!). Delayed plastic remove will result to burn and death of seedlings; Apply DAP fertilizer between the seed rills one week after planting and any nitrogenous fertilizer three weeks after; Spray proper insecticide for pest control; About 1.5kg of onion seed is enough per acre if well sown and managed; Seedlings are ready for transplanting 6 weeks after sowing. Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe followed by harrowing to a fine bed; Prepare raised beds (30-45cm) 1m wide, spaced at 1.5m from center to center. When furrow irrigation is used, beds can be narrowed to 60-75cm; 3-4 lines per bed especially if the soil is sandy in order to allow the beds to absorb sufficient moisture/water from the furrows to the center of the beds during irrigation. The bed length should also be between 3-7m. The use of raised beds rather than sunken beds will enable production of good yield and quality of onion bulbs Transplanting After seedlings are uprooted from the seed beds, ensure that both roots and leaves are pruned before transplanting. This enables quick sprout of new roots and leaves; Select seedlings by size I.e. large, medium and small and transplant each at a time; Irrigate the farm to field capacity one day before transplanting; Using makers, mark planting holes at recommended spacing of 15x6-10cm, 6 lines per bed. Figure 14: Use of onion markers to enable transplanting on correct space Weed management This is done to ensure that the crop grows free from weeds throughout the growing season by hand weeding, uprooting or use of pre- and post-emergence herbicides. 17 P a g e

18 Crop nutrition Application of DAP shortly after transplanting is highly recommended, then followed up by application of any nitrogenous fertilizer after three weeks and application of NPK three weeks later. Both DAP and NPK should be applied at 50Kgs per Feddan; Depending on crop performance, the application of foliar fertilizers with trace elements should be done every after two weeks. Insects The most important insect pests of onions are: Thrips: Thrips tabaci. Symphilids: Wireworm, cutworm and White Grub. Figure 15: Thrips and their effects on onions Diseases The most important diseases are: Purple blotch Altenaria porri Botrytis leaf blight Botrytis squamosa Fusarium basal rot Fusarium oxypurum cepae Dowdry mildew Peronospora destructor Figure 16: Effects of Altenaria porri left and that of botrytis squamosa right on onion 18 P a g e

19 Harvesting When at least 60% of the foliage have collapsed from the neck to the ground, onions are considered to be mature and ready for harvesting. This is about days after transplanting depending on variety and weather condition. Harvesting is done by uprooting the crop, then heaped for 3-5 days in the field while covering the bulbs by foliage to protect from strong sun. Heaping and leaving onions in the farm for a few days allows the foliage to wilt to avoid sprouting after the foliage are chopped off. This enables good storage, prolong shelf life and quality of the bulbs. 19 P a g e

20 8. Basic Practices for Sweet Pepper Nursery preparation and management Prepare raised beds, 1m width and 1.5m from center to center; Mark 6 sowing drills per bed, 15cm between one drill to another; Using a seed can, drill the seeds into rills by shaking the seed can; Cover the seeds using fine sand or soil; Apply enough water by sprinkler, watering cans, or drip irrigation; Cover beds by using black plastic and hold it firmly on the bed by soil earthing up; Observe the seed beds for seed emergence three times a day (morning, midday and evening). Seeds will emerge after 2-4 depending on weather conditions; Remove the plastic immediately after seed emergence (even one!). Delayed plastic removal will result in burn and death of seedlings; Apply DAP fertilizer between the seed rills one week after planting; Spray proper insecticide for pest control; About 130g of sweet pepper seed is enough per acre if well sown and managed; Seedlings are ready for transplanting 4 weeks after sowing. Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe, followed by harrowing to a fine bed; Prepare raised beds (30-45cm) round topped, spaced at 1m from center to center. Transplanting Select seedlings by size, i.e. large, medium and small, and transplant each at a time; Irrigate the farm to field capacity one day before transplanting; Using marking stick, mark planting holes at recommended spacing of 45cm, double lines per bed in zigzag pattern; Apply starter solution and transplant immediately; Weed management This is done to ensure that the crop grows free from weeds throughout the growing season by hand weeding, uprooting or use of herbicides, mulch and plastic mulch where available. Crop nutrition Application of DAP shortly after transplanting is highly recommended, then followed up by application of any nitrogenous fertilizer two weeks after and NPK three weeks later. Both fertilizers should be applied at 50kg/feddan; Depending on crop performance, the application of foliar fertilizers with trace elements should be done every after two weeks. Trellising Use thick poles (1.5-2inches) 1.5m high and spaced every after 2m in zigzag pattern both sides; Using twines (strings), join the poles horizontally along the beds both side. This should be repeated every after 20cm high. The twines will prevent plants from falling by holding them in between. 20 P a g e

21 Figure 17: Pepper trellising by poles and twines help to support plants from falling Insects Red spider mites: Tetranychus merganser Aphids: Aphis gossypii White fly: Bamesia tabaci 21 P a g e

22 Nematodes: Meloidogyn spp. Figure 18: Spoon shaped leaves of sweet pepper due to red spider mites attack Diseases Bacterial spot: Xanthomonas campestris powdery mildew: Oidium Wilts: Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia Bacteria Wilt. Control: Good land preparation, avoid water logging condition, use crop rotation, use resistant varieties, good crop nutrition, observe field sanitation. Harvesting: Sweet pepper matures after days from transplanting. 22 P a g e

23 9. Basic Practices for Tomatoes Nursery preparation and management Prepare raised beds 1m width and 1.5m from center to center; Mark 6 sowing drills per bed, 15cm between one drill to another; Using a seed can, drill the seeds into rills by shaking the seed can; Cover the seeds using fine sand or soil; Apply enough water by sprinkler, watering cans or drip irrigation; Cover beds by using black plastic and hold it firmly on the bed by soil earthing up; Observe the seed beds for seed emergence three times a day (morning, midday and evening). Seeds will emerge after 2-4days depending on weather conditions; Remove the plastic immediately after seed emergence (even one!). Delayed plastic removal will result in burn and death of seedlings; Apply DAP fertilizer between the seed rills one week after planting; Spray proper insecticide for pest control; About 50g of tomato seed is enough per acre if well sown and managed; Seedlings are ready for transplanting 3 weeks after sowing. Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe followed by harrowing to a fine bed; Prepare raised beds (30-45cm) round topped, spaced at 1m from center to center. Transplanting Select seedlings by size, i.e. large, medium and small, and transplant each at a time; Irrigate the farm to field capacity one day before transplanting; Using marking stick, mark planting holes at recommended spacing of 30cm, single lines per bed for bush and 50cm double row in zigzag pattern for standing variety; Apply starter solution and transplant immediately. Weed management This is done to ensure that the crop grows free from weeds throughout the growing season by hand weeding, uprooting or use of herbicides; mulch and plastic mulch is recommended. Crop nutrition Application of DAP shortly after transplanting is highly recommended, then followed up by application of any nitrogenous fertilizer two weeks after and NPK three weeks later. Tomato also requires significant amount of calcium therefore it is important to apply 25-50kg of calcium nitrate per feddan 5 to 6 weeks after planting; Depending on crop performance, the application of foliar fertilizers with trace elements should be done every after two weeks. Trellising Use thick poles (1.5-2 ) 1.5m high and spaced every after 2m on top of the bed; Using twines (strings), join the poles horizontally along the beds with two lines of strings putting the plants in between. This should be repeated every after 20cm high. The twines will prevent plants from falling by holding them in between. 23 P a g e

24 Figure 19: Trellising for bush variety of tomato Figure 20: Trellising standing tomato variety with bamboos 24 P a g e

25 Insects Some important insect pests of tomato are: White fly, Aphids, American bollworm, Red spider mite, Cutworm, Leaf miner and Nematodes. Disease Tomato is highly affected by many diseases; fungal, bacterial and viral. Some of the diseases are: Early and late blights Powderly mildew fusarium wilt bacteria wilt verticilium wilt damping off tomato mosaic virus Harvesting Tomato matures after 55 to 75 days from transplanting depending on varieties and weather 25 P a g e

26 10. Basic Practices for Water Melon Land preparation Deep land preparation (30-45cm) using tractor, oxen plow or hand hoe followed by harrowing to a fine bed; Make planting beds 1.5M apart and 30cm high. Sowing Sowing is done by planting one seed per hill or transplanting (seed trays) 1m apart on edges both sides of the furrows with a seed rate of ½Kgs per feddan. Irrigation Use furrow or drip irrigation to ensure enough moisture throughout the growing season. Weed management This is done to ensure that the crop grows free from weeds throughout the growing season by hand weeding, uprooting. Use of herbicides or plastic mulch in case of drip irrigation. Figure 21: Crop orientation to enable easy passage during farm operations and furrow irrigation Crop nutrition Application of DAP shortly after transplanting is highly recommended, then followed up by application of any nitrogenous fertilizer three weeks and application of NPK three weeks later. The fertilizer application rate of 50kgs DAP, 25Kgs SA or UREA and 50Kgs NPK are recommended Depending on crop performance, the application of foliar fertilizers with trace elements should be done every after two weeks Crop management Orient the growing vines of the plant towards the center of the beds to enable easy passage for management and free flow of water in furrows during irrigation without affecting the crop; 26 P a g e

27 To maintain uniform colors of the fruits, it is important to be turning the fruits regularly; Use mulches to protect the fruits from direct contact with the ground to avoid fruit rot especially during wet season. Pollination Melons and other members of the cucurbit family are insect pollinated. They have male and female flowers separately, large and sticky pollen that cannot be transported by wind. They are mainly pollinated by honey and bumble bees. It is therefore important to attract these pollinators by planting flowering crops such as sunflowers around or introduce bee hives. Figure 22: Disorders (irregular shape) due to poor pollinatio or insufficient irrigation or injury NOTE: 1. Dry grass as mulch applied to avoid direct contact of fruits to the ground 2. Fruit color change (right) due to delayed turning of the fruits. Color distortion will affect the quality of the crop Insects Red spider mites Root knot nematode Aphids Leaf miner Control Use good cultural practices and recommended insecticides. Diseases Anthracnose: Colletotrichum lagenarium Watermelon mosaic virus Fusarium wilt: Fusarium oxysporium Black rot: Didymella bryoniae Downy mildew: Pseudoperonospora cubensis Control Use of resistant varieties, good cultural practices, use recommended fungicides. Harvesting Water melons mature after 75 to 90 days depending on varieties and weather condition. A typical sign for maturity is browning and drying of tendrils of a specific fruit. Other ways that can be used to determine maturity include sampling and fruit knocking. Sharp sound rather than dull sound indicates maturity. 27 P a g e