Menu Close

Is watermelon a water intensive crop?

Is watermelon a water intensive crop?

Tree nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and cashews are actually some of the most water-intensive crops grown today. One study that averaged the global water use of various crops found that pumpkins, squash, and watermelons require roughly 20 to 90 times less water to grow than tree nuts (excluding rainwater).

How much water do watermelon seeds need?

Watermelons do not need a particularly large amount of water at planting times, though they benefit from a thorough drenching of 1 to 2 inches of water every week. Make sure the soil is wet to a depth of 6 inches every time you water.

Which crop is most water consuming?

“Sugarcane is one of the most water-intensive crops,” according to Wada. It takes an average of 210 liters of water to produce one kg of sugarcane. The water footprint of refined sugar is 1,780 liters of water, nine full bathtubs, per kilogram, according to the Water Footprint Network.

Does watermelon need lots of water?

Watermelons need water throughout the season, but a particularly important time to water watermelons is while they are setting and growing fruit. The reason for this is that watermelon fruit is made up of 92 percent water. This means that the plant must take up an enormous amount of water while the fruit is developing.

Is it difficult to grow watermelon?

Watermelons are surprisingly easy to grow as long as the plants have plenty of room to spread, good drainage, lots of sunlight, and a sufficiently long growing season. Gardeners in northern climates should choose early ripening varieties.

Which crop is called thirsty crop?

Farmers who once grew millet, sorghum, and other cereals have turned to sugarcane in Maharashtra, which fetches more money but is a very thirsty crop. Likewise, farmers have taken to growing rice and wheat in Punjab and Haryana, two parched states where the groundwater has sunk even further.

What crop uses the least water?

Drought Tolerant Vegetables

  • Lima beans.
  • Pole beans.
  • Corn.
  • Cowpeas, black-eyed peas and field peas.
  • Edible amaranth.
  • Quinoa.
  • Mustard greens.
  • Okra.

Can you overwater a watermelon?

Watermelons will grow best in soil that is moist but not overly wet. In any case, overwatering can result in crown and root rot, which can affect the fruit production. When watering watermelons, it’s essential to water at the base of the vine.