Effect of time of planting on growth and yield of snapmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. momordica Roxb. Duthie & J. B. Fuller)

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of time of planting on growth and yield in snapmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. momordica Roxb. Duthie & J. B. Fuller)” was carried out at College of Horticulture, Dapoli, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli Dist. Ratnagiri during year 2024-25. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with seven treatments as time of planting replicated thrice. The various treatments were T­1 ­- Planting on 1st week of April, T­2 ­- Planting on 1st week of May, T3­ - Planting on 1st week of June, T4 ­- Plating on 1st week of October, T­5 ­- Planting on 1st week of November, T­6 ­- Planting on 1st week of December, T­7 ­- Planting on 1st week of January. The results indicated significant effect of time of planting on various growth and yield parameters in snapmelon. Among various treatments, T­1 ­- planting on 1st week of April recorded superior performance with respect to germination and growth parameters such as days for germination (3.00), germination (97.77%), length of vine (4.08 m), number of primary branches (12.13), days to first female flower (26.30), nodal position of first female flower (7.70), fruit set (51.13%) as well as number of fruits per vine (3.57). The planting time T­1 ­- Planting on 1st week of April significantly influenced yield and yield attributing characters i.e. days to first harvest (68.70), fruit yield/vine (4.71 kg), fruit yield /ha (53.07 t). Thus from present investigation it was concluded that planting in 1st week of April is beneficial with respect to growth, yield as well as for higher return is recommended.