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Time of India

Mulching technique leads to rich yield of melons

1 2 Prayagraj: The mulching technique has proved to be a boon for farmers involved in production of watermelon and muskmelon in the Prayagraj region this summer season. Farmers have cultivated bumper crops of juicy watermelons (Saraswati) and muskmelons (Mradula, Boby, and Sarau) in Prayagraj, Kaushambi and Fatehpur districts using the technique that involves covering the soil surface with materials like organic matter or plastic to create a protective layer which benefits plant growth and soil health. Agro-expert Manoj Kumar Srivastava told TOI: "After digging out potato crops, the majority of farmers this year opted for watermelon and muskmelon cultivation in the region through the mulching method, and the technique helped them achieve bumper yield of the seasonal fruits." Farmers in the Prayagraj region cultivated watermelons and melons on around 1,500 beegha of land. These are not only smaller in size but also in the shape of a square using hybrid varieties of Taiwan seeds. Further, these varieties of watermelons and melons have a higher content of TSS (Total Solid Sugar) value. A farmer Ram Surat Patel said: "We cultivated seeds brought from Taiwan to yield a good amount of crop with limited resources. These small-sized watermelon and melon in round and square shapes are more in demand as they have a high TSS value of up to 14 to 15%." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Farmers, however, claimed that they took technical guidance before cultivating hybrid varieties of watermelons and melons. Currently, hybrid varieties are being cultivated in Prayagraj, Mooratganj in Kaushambi and Khaga in Fatehpur district. A senior horticulture official said: "Through silver mulching, which is largely adopted by farmers in UP, MP, Maharashtra, Punjab, and other states, crops of seasonal fruits could be cultivated with a lesser amount of water. Crops of watermelon and melon are also being cultivated through the same technique in the region." However, the flip side of the story is that due to bumper crop production, the farmers are forced to sell their crops at lower prices this year.