Fruit Cracking in Muskmelon

Pre or post harvest fruit cracking causes severe losses to both farmers & vendors REASONS 1 Check growing tips, if they are blocked (Leaf curl virus or thrips attack) 2 Irregular irrigation schedule. Sudden irrigation after severe water stress leads to cracking 3 Irregular environmental conditions. Much difference in day & night temperatures causes cracking 4 Calcium & Potassium deficiency REMEDY 1 Follow uniform irrigation schedule 2 Control sucking pest. Install Blue and Yellow sticky traps in large quantity (Yellow 60 & Blue 40 per Acre) right from planting. Carryout sprays of Garlic Extract, Neem Oil, Butter Milk, Fish oil, Bougainvillea leaf extract as they are very good retardants of sucking pests. 3 Give Calcium & Boran at weekly interval from 20th day of sowing 4 Use Ortho Silisic acid in summers to avoid Stress due to high temperature & will also causes hindrance to sucking pest attack.