Model Cultivation Techniques of Interplanting Tomatoes with Muskmelon in Sunlight Greenhouse
1. Variety Selection
Choosing the right varieties is crucial for successful farming. It's important to select varieties that are resistant to low temperatures, have good light tolerance, strong disease resistance, excellent quality, high yield, and good commercial value for storage and transportation. For watermelons, consider varieties like Silicon Valley Xinkang, Xiyan No. 5, Heimi No. 5, and Jindi No. 2. For melons, Tai Nong No. 2, Yin Di No. 3, and Early Health Snow Dense are recommended. For tomatoes, Shanghai 903, American Red Sword, and Strider are suitable choices.
2. Planting Schedule and Seasonal Arrangement
Summer melons are typically planted from late August to early September, with harvesting taking place from late December to January, and the latest harvest by early February to meet the demand of the New Year and Spring Festival markets. Tomatoes are usually sown in mid-October, with seedlings transplanted between mid-November and mid-December, and harvested from mid-February to mid-June, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
3. Seedling Cultivation
3.1 Nutrient Soil Preparation
For both watermelons and tomatoes, it's best to use soil that has not been used for the same crop in the last 3 to 5 years. Topsoil from wheat, bean, or onion fields is ideal. Fully decomposed organic fertilizer should be mixed with the soil. For watermelons, mix the soil with 1:5 ratio of compost and add 0.25 kg/m³ of 55% Dextrocon wettable powder and 0.50 kg/m³ of 10% Phoxim granules. For tomatoes, mix soil at a 1:3 to 1:5 ratio, adding 1 kg of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and potassium sulfate per cubic meter. Also, apply 0.10 kg of 50% Carbendazim mixed into the soil and cover with plastic for 10 to 15 days before use.
3.2 Seedbed Construction
Choose open areas with sufficient sunlight, well-drained land, and convenient access for watermelon seedlings. For tomatoes, use a greenhouse with good heat retention and ample light. Construct seedbeds with a width of 250 to 300 cm, 20 cm in height, and fill them with nutrient soil using 10 cm pots. Place them evenly on the bed for optimal growth.
3.3 Seed Soaking and Germination
Before planting, expose seeds to sunlight for a day. Watermelon seeds should be soaked in 50% Carbendazim WP diluted 600 times for 15 minutes, then rinsed and soaked in warm water (28–30°C) for 6 hours. After draining, place them in clean, damp gauze and germinate at 28–30°C until 60–80% of the seeds show white sprouts. Tomato seeds should be soaked in 55°C water for 15 minutes, then in 10% phosphoric acid trisodium solution for 20 minutes, followed by 6–8 hours of soaking in water. Keep them at 25°C for germination, watering once or twice daily. Sow when 50% of the seeds have sprouted.
3.4 Timely Sowing
One day before sowing or on the morning of the day, water the seedbeds thoroughly. For watermelons, plant one seed per pot, ensuring the bud is slightly below the surface. For tomatoes, sprinkle a layer of nutrient soil in each hole, plant 3–5 seeds, cover with 1 cm of soil and fine sand, and cover the bed with plastic film. Make sure the film is tightly sealed for watermelons.
3.5 Seedling Management
Watermelon seedlings require a daytime temperature of 28–30°C and night temperatures of 15–18°C. After emergence, gradually reduce the temperature to 25°C during the day and 14–16°C at night. For tomatoes, maintain a daytime temperature of 25–30°C and night temperatures of 15–18°C until the first true leaves appear. Gradually lower the temperature to 20–25°C during the day and 10–16°C at night for hardening off before transplanting. Control irrigation and ensure proper ventilation throughout the process.
4. Field Preparation and Planting
4.1 Land Selection
Select fertile, well-draining soil with high organic content for watermelons. Avoid land where melons or solanaceous crops were grown in the past 3–5 years. In summer, turn the soil twice and apply lime, then use solarization to disinfect the field. For tomatoes, clear the field and prepare it accordingly.
4.2 Fertilization
Apply fully decomposed organic fertilizer at 180 m³/hm² as base fertilizer. Combine with 22.50 kg/hm² of 55% Dukesson wettable powder and 22.50 kg/hm² of 10% Phoxim granules. Mix well and cover with plastic, allowing it to heat up to over 60°C for 10–15 days to disinfect the soil.
4.3 Ridge Preparation
Apply 600 kg/hm² of potassium sulfate, 225 kg/hm² of urea, and 600 kg/hm² of diammonium phosphate or superphosphate, along with 2250 kg/hm² of oil cake as base fertilizer. Deep plow to 30–40 cm, level the field, and create ridges with a width of 80–90 cm and a groove of 40–50 cm. Cover with 70 cm or 140 cm wide plastic film, securing it tightly to prevent moisture loss.
4.4 Proper Planting
Plant watermelons on a sunny afternoon or cloudy day. Dig "D"-shaped holes and space plants 45–55 cm apart. For tomatoes, adjust spacing based on watermelon density. When planting, mix 0.5 kg of root-strengthening agent with 0.5 kg of 50% Carbendazim WP diluted 500 times, and pour it into the hole after watering. Ensure the root zone is level with the ridge surface and seal the hole properly.
5. Field Management
5.1 Temperature and Light Control
During the seedling stage, avoid excessive ventilation. At noon, when light is strong, provide shade if temperatures rise too high. Use ventilation to cool the greenhouse in the early stages to prevent disease. Maintain a nighttime temperature of 13–18°C for watermelons. For tomatoes, keep daytime temperatures at 25–28°C and night temperatures above 15°C. During fruit set, maintain 20–25°C during the day and 10°C at night. Ensure the lighting surface is clean and use reflective films to enhance brightness.
5.2 Water Management
After transplanting, give water to help seedlings settle. Avoid irrigation during vine extension and pollination periods. Water only when the soil is dry, and never flood the ridges. Use drip irrigation if possible, applying small amounts frequently—around 50 m³/hm². After fruit setting, control irrigation to prevent overwatering. For tomatoes, water promptly after planting, and begin watering when the first fruit swells to the size of a walnut, adjusting based on growth conditions.
5.3 Fertilizer Application
During the flowering period, apply 450 kg/hm² of compound fertilizer or 225 kg/hm² of urea and compound fertilizer, plus 300 kg/hm² of zinc and potassium fertilizer. For tomatoes, apply a small amount of organic fertilizer in the furrow when they start to form buds, and apply 225 kg/hm² of diammonium phosphate, 225 kg/hm² of urea, and 150 kg/hm² of potassium sulfate compound fertilizer during fruit development.
5.4 Pruning and Vine Management
For watermelons, use double-vine pruning, selecting the main vine and leaving 2–3 female flowers on the 10th to 16th node. Allow a side vine to grow naturally at the base. For single-vine pruning, leave only one main vine, with 2–3 fruits left at the 8th to 13th node. Remove diseased leaves and tendrils regularly, and perform artificial pollination to improve fruit set. For tomatoes, use single-stake pruning, keeping 4–5 fruits per inflorescence for large varieties and 5–6 for medium ones. Apply 25–50 mg/kg of red coloring agent to promote fruit setting and remove lower leaves as needed.
6. Harvesting and Packaging
Harvest timing depends on the variety, transport distance, and storage conditions. Watermelons typically mature in 60–75 days, while melons take 65–80 days. For nearby markets, pick 90% mature fruits; for long-distance transport, choose 80–90% mature ones. Cut the stem 5 cm from the fruit. After harvest, allow the produce to cool down before grading and packing. Pack 2–4 fruits per box, stacking 3–6 boxes, and store at 4–6°C with good ventilation. Tomatoes take 50–70 days from flowering to maturity. For distant markets, pick the first red fruits, while local markets can receive fully ripe red tomatoes.
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