Agronomy
In most areas of the world where watermelons are grown for seed production,
seeds are sown direct into the field in preference to raising plants in nurseries.
The plants are either grown on ‘mounds’, flat ridges or on the flat.
The system adopted locally depends on the irrigation system to be used, and to
some extent on custom.
The seeds are spot sown, usually two to three seeds per station, 90–120 cm apart in the row, with 120–180 cm between the rows; 1–3 kg of seed are sufficient to sow 1 ha. (6.25 ไร่).
A higher seeding rate is required when the seeds are drilled.
The seed is slow to germinate early in the season if soil temperatures are low.