Effects of plant density on yield and quality of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus thunb) under Gezira conditions, Sudan

An experiment was conducted at the Gezira Research Farm in the winter season of 2009/10 and the kharif season of 2010 to study the effects of plant density on watermelon yield and quality. Treatments consisted of three intra-row spacing of 50, 70 and 90 cm and three number of plants per hole; 1, 2 and 3. Treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results indicated significant differences among treatments in number of branches plant in both seasons. However no significant differences were observed in vine length in both seasons and number of leaves/plant in the winter season, but in kharif season significant differences was observed in number of leaves/plant. Results of yield components indicated no significant differences among treatments in number of fruits per hectare. There were highly significant differences in marketable fruits yield in both seasons. Also, there were significant and highly significant differences in total soluble solids in the winter and kharif seasons, respectively. The results indicated that 70 cm intra-row spacing with one plant/hole gave the optimum plant density for watermelon, since it resulted in optimum growth and the highest marketable yield and best quality.