Watermelon
A nutritional benefits horticultural crop
watermelon is an important fruit crop.it is newly introduced for the highly economic importance .Watermelon contains high quantity of nutrients and minerals.which play an important role in human body.Watermelon seeds have also many health benefits due to the prescence of important amino acids ,fiber and mineral compounds.
introduction:
A watermelon is a type of edible fruit.it plays an important rule in the maintaining of human health.watermelon ia a botanically concidered fruit that belongs to family Cucurbitaceae.it has diff types.some varities have green color on the outside and a red pink flesh in the inside.some varities have yellow flesh and seed less.watermelon have diff shapes.many people like to eat watermelon in summer because they consider it cool and refreshing.it us second largest fruit in the world.it has great economic importance in the world.it is 29.6% million tones production in the world.
Physical characteristics:
It is large and in round shape.it has hairy leaves and have yellow flowers.the watermelon fruit has deep green thick or light green verticle stripes.the fruit color is inside is red with black seeds.flesh colors can be dark red ,red or yellow.in india about 25 varieties are grown.it has diff varieties name as: New hampshire midget,madhuri 64, black magic, sugar baby,Arka manik .
Watermelon varieties have 3 classes.open pollinated ,F1 hybrid,and seedless.
Cultivation:
Watermelon is grown on sandy soil.which have organic matter and have good drainage of water and have high PH range.PH range should be 6.5-7.5. In pakistan watermelon is started to cultivate in December .Watermelon is a warm season croup grown on subtropical and hot rigion areas.Temperature range is 24 -27C.the seed germinate best when the the temperature highers than 20C.
Plant and transplanting:
Watermelon can be direct seeded in the field or can be transplant in the form of nursery.and then transplanted in rhe field.seeds should be soaked in the warm water before sowing for 12 hours.3.5 kg of seed of watermelon is required for planting for one hactere area.the space in the rows should be 2 to 2.5 meters A part.
N 55 kg/hac P 55 kg/ hac and K also 55 kg/ hac should be apply after 30 days of sowing.
Weeds and insect control:
The weeds depends on the season .there are 2to 3 weeding operations are required.the first weeding should be done after 20 to 25 days of sowing.where as the remaining weeding is done at any time of the month.the leaf -eating beetles are the biggest watermelon pest.these damage the flowers.,the main problem of growing watermelon is milldew.A fungus makes the flowers as they are coated with white powder.
Harvesting and storage:
The crop is done to ready for harvest in about 75 to 100 days after sowing.for local market harvest should be done when the crop is full mature.and if want for transporting to distant marketes then the crop should be done slightly earlier.watermelons can be stored for 15 days at 15C.the watermelons can not be stored with apples and bananas because the ethylene can be produced during storage from these fruits.because they softness the fruit and produced off flavour to the watermelons.
Nutritional value of fresh watermelon.
Watermelon is one of the common fruit that consumed in many countries.watermelon contains more than 91% of water and up to 7% of carbohydrates.
Nutrient value per 100 g of flesh.
Component
Nutrient value
% of recommended daily allownce
Energy
30Kcl
1.5%
Carbohydrates
7.6 g
6%
Protein
0.6 g
1%
Total fat
0.15 g
0.5%
Dietry fiber
0.4 g
1%
Vitamins:Niacin
0.178 mg
1%
Vitamin A
569 mg
19%
Vitamin C
8.1mg
13.5%
Electrolysis:potassium
Iron
Manganese
Zinc
112 mg
0.24 mg
0.038 mg
0.10 mg
2.5%
3%
1.5%
1%
Health benefits:
Heart health:watermelon plays an important rule in the damaaging of heart patients.it contains high level kf lycopene that protect cells from damage.and lower the health of heart disease.potassium is an important component of cell and body that controles heart rate and blood pressure.
hydration and dygesstion: watermelon is a best example of fruit that helps you to stay hydrated. It contains fiber that encourge a healthy digestive tract and helps to kerp you regular.
Skin and hair benefits:vitamin A helps to kerp skin and hair moisturized and it also encourage healthy growth of new elastin cells.Vitamin C is also beneficial in this regard.that promotes healthy collagen growth.
Cancer prvention: As the other fruits an vegetables watermelon is also helpfull in the reducing of cancer through the antioxient properties.Vitamin A is known to protect from lungs and cancer.
Body temperature:watermelon maintain the body temperature of the human.And it helps to clean your kidney.
Conclusion:-
Watermelon is a very good source of important nutrative components and contains a very high concentrations of nutrients for human consumpsion.it also contains diff components in medical values.it would be effective in health care management watermelon rind and seed is a rich source of an important amino acid and minerals.
Authors:
Mian ibtisam latif&Dr.muhammad yaseen
Department of agriculture extention
