- Address : P.O. Box 11, Gannoruwa rd, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- E- Mail : director.hordi@doa.gov.lk
- Telephone :(+94) 081-2388011-12-13
- Fax :(+94) 081-2388234
Kekiri
Cucumis melo
It is a nutritious crop that cures diseases such as diabetes, gastritis and urinary stones.
Released Varieties
Although there are no varieties recommended by the Department of Agriculture, many locally grown varieties are popular among farmers.
Climatic requirements/ Areas suitable for cultivation
It is a crop that prefers tropical climates. The crop grows successfully in the range of temperature 300 – 350 C . The crop can be grown up to 1000 m above sea level. It is a crop that can be grown year round.
Soil
It can be grown with a wide range of soil types and is best suited for well drained soils containing more organic matter. The pH value of the soil range between5.5 – 7.5.
Seed requirement
500g of seeds is sufficient for one hectare of land. One gram of seeds contains 90 – 100 seeds
Spacing
Inter row spacing and the intra row spacing is 1.0m
Land preparation and Planting
Plough the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm and crush the larger particles to a slightly rougher texture. The planting holes are prepared as 30cm3 (length, width and depth) and the holes are filled with a large amount of decomposed organic matter and mixed with the topsoil. It is filled up to a 10 cm height. Plant about 3-4 seeds in prepared pits. At 2 weeks of emerging, remove weak seedlings allowing two healthy seedlings to grow
Cultivation Time
Year around cultivation
Fertilizer
Time of application | Urea kg/ha | TSP kg/ha | MOP kg/ha |
Basal fertilizer | 75 | 200 | 60 |
Top dressing (04 weeks after emergence of seedlings) | 75 | – | 60 |
Top dressing (08 weeks after emergence of seedlings) | 75 | – | 60 |
Note 1: It is better to apply phosphorus and potassium as basic fertilizers after a soil test.
Irrigation
It is necessary to irrigate daily until the seeds germinate. Watering every 3-4 days is sufficient depending on the requirement and climatic conditions. Unnecessary irrigation can cause vines and seed rotting.
Weed Control
It is important to control weeds in the early stages of the crop. Mulching also control weeds.
Pest Management
Melon fly, Aulacophora beetle, Epilachna beetle, aphid, white fly
Apply recommended pesticides, maintain field sanitation
Disease Management
Causal Organism: Erysiphe spp.
Symptoms
- Spots develop on the upper surface of on the plder leaves
- It causes the leaves turn yellow and whiter
- Fruits are not infected
Management
- Apply recommended fungicides, maintain field sanitation
- Using good quality seeds
- Used fungicide Sprays (Mancozeb , Captan)
- Weed Control
Causal Organism: Pseudoperonospara cubensis
Symptoms
- Infection of downy mildew begin as irregular yellow patches on leaves
- These chlorotic lesions later turn brown
- If conditions are favorable, white fluffy growth of the fungus develops on the undersides of leaves. Leaves may take on a blighted appearance.
Management
- Apply recommended fungicides, maintain field sanitation
- Mancozeb 64% + Metalaxyl 8% WP
- Captan 50% WP
- Flutriafol 25% SC
- Potassium bicarbonate 82% SP
- Azoxystrobin 250 / l SC
Causal Organism: phythium spp
Symptoms
- Begin as brownish , water soaked lesions that quickly become large, watery soft and rotten
- The rot generally begins on the parts of fruit in contact with the soil
- White cottony mycelium is apparent on rotten tissue especially during humid weather
Management
- Apply recommended fungicides, maintain field sanitation
- Spray thiram 80% WP 14g in 10l of water or Thiophonate methyl 50% WP + Thiram 30% WP 10g in 10l of water
- 6g Topsin 70% WP in 10l of water
Harvesting
When the fruit is well matured, harvest while cutting the stalk with a sharp knife.
Yield
25,000 – 30,000 Kgs per hectare..