The musk melon and watermelon crops in Punjab are in danger as scientists of Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) discover wilting of vines due to lack of soil aeration. 

A team of scientists and agricultural experts from PAU Wednesday conducted a field survey of muskmelon and watermelon crops in villages of district Mohali and Patiala districts.  The expert team included scientists from the Departments of Plant Pathology and Vegetable Science along with officials from KVK Patiala and FASC centers of Mohali and Patiala.

During the survey, the team observed that most farmers had cultivated the muskmelon hybrids under polythene mulch on raised beds, however, excessive irrigation in heavy soils with poor drainage had resulted in wilting of vines due to lack of soil aeration. The scientists also observed low to moderate incidence of downy mildew and powdery mildew diseases in muskmelon fields.

The experts advised farmers to adopt integrated disease management practices and proper weed management to minimize disease spread. Farmers were also guided to apply light irrigation and create perforations in mulch sheets at waterlogged spots to improve aeration around plant roots. Meanwhile, the watermelon crop was found largely healthy with only minor disease incidence.

PAU scientists reiterated that proper irrigation management, improved drainage, timely disease monitoring and integrated crop management practices are crucial for sustaining crop health and enhancing productivity in cucurbit cultivation.