Aastha

Aastha

A high yielding jubilee hybrid with strong plants, 'Early maturing' uniform fruits and deep red granular flesh.

High yield - more income to growers.
Uniform 'Early maturing' (75-80 days) fruits - better yield & marketability, superior produce price.
Excellent flesh quality - delight for consumers, repeat demands from market.
Best suited to North India market.


Soil	Sandy loam rich in organic matter with good drainage
pH	6 to 7
Temperature (°C)	Crop 18°C – 25°C of germination. 30°C – 35°C is required for growth while temperature range of about 35°C – 40°C during fruit development is ideal for good quality and sweet fruit. Cool nights and warm days can increase sugar accumulation in fruits.
Plant Population (Per Acre)	300 to 400 gm (4,500 to 6,000 Plants)
Spacing (cm)	6.5 to 8 feet X 1 to 1.5 feet
Land preparation	2 to 3 deep plough, Prepare the land to a fine tilth, prepare beds Prepare raised beds of 1.2 m width and 30 cm height for sowing. Direct Sowing Dibble the single seed at each hole. Do not sow deep or on the soil Transplant Select the healthy seedling from nursery. Age of the seedling should be 15 to 18 days. Hardening sholud be done befor transplant to main field.
Market Segment	Summer Round
Sowing Season	Summer
Best Practices	• Grow maize or install shade net around the field boundary, • During Summer avoid -irrigation at 12-2 PM because it will create a shock to the plants, and it may cause wilting. • Avoid Spray in morning hours to encourage bee activity; 1 or 2 beehives can be placed per acre.
Irrigation	Summer avoid - irrigation at 12-2 PM because it will create a shock to the plants, and it may cause wilting. Winter give irrigation before 10 am and the soil should be dry by the evening because remaining moisture in the soil will help the GSB pathogen to infect plants. Stop - 3 – 6 days before harvesting to maintain better sweetness and flavor of fruits. Increase frequency and reduce the quantity.
Nutrient Management (N:P:K)	FYM 12 to 15 MT/ acre N:P:K requirement @ 80:100:120 kg per acre. Dose & Timing: Basal Dose: Apply 50% N and 100% P, K as basal dose during final land preparation. Top Dressing: 25% N at 30 days after sowing and 25% N at 50 days after sowing.
Harvesting & Drying	Fruits are harvested when it produces dull sound upon tapping or the fruits surface on the ground level produces light yellow color are the harvest index for watermelon.
Pest & Disease and it's control	Fungal disease - Gummy Stem Blight, Downy Mildew, Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt, Powdery Mildew Virus - WBNV Insect - Fruit Fly, Leaf minor, Trips
States	River Bed Area

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