Name: Sukari F1
SKU: DFL342
Availability: InStock

• Maturity: 80 –90 days
• Fruits are oblong in shape
• Avg fruit weight is 7 –8 kgs
• The rind is light green with
dark green stripes
• The flesh is deep red,
crispy & firm
• TSS 11 –12 %
• Thick rind: Good for long
distance transport
• Yield Potential: 25 tons/Acre

Gives best result when planted with yara Power fertilizer

Planting guide

Watermelon Planting Guide

1. Ideal Growing Conditions

Factor	Requirement
Climate	Warm, sunny, and dry; optimal temperature 22–35°C
Rainfall	Moderate; avoid excessive rain during fruiting (causes rot)
Soil Type	Well-drained sandy loam or loam
Soil pH	Between 6.0 – 7.5
Sunlight	Full sun exposure (6–8 hours daily)

2. Land Preparation

Clear the field of weeds and debris.
Plough and harrow to a fine tilth for good root penetration.
Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure (8–10 tons/acre) to enrich the soil.
Form raised beds or ridges if soil is poorly drained.

3. Seed Selection

Use certified Sukari F1 hybrid seeds — a high-yielding, sweet variety with good shelf life and tolerance to common watermelon diseases.

4. Planting

Item	Detail
Planting time	At onset of dry season under irrigation, or at start of short rains
Spacing	1 m between plants × 1.5–2 m between rows
Seed rate	0.5 kg per acre (approximately 4,000 seeds)
Depth	2–3 cm deep
Method	Direct seeding or transplanting (2–3 week old seedlings)

5. Fertilization and Foliar Application

Stage	Recommendation
At Planting	Apply Yara Power or DAP, mixed with Mastahumix or Paranomix for strong root establishment. During the dry season, include Waterbank to retain soil moisture. Also apply a foliar high in Phosphorus (P) plus growth hormones to stimulate early root and shoot development.
Top Dressing (3–4 weeks)	Use CAN or Nitrabor plus Sulfur to promote healthy vegetative growth. Apply standard foliar or high Nitrogen foliar together with Rootmasta to enhance root and vine development.
Flowering and Fruiting	Apply potassium-rich fertilizers such as NPK 23:10:5 or MOP to improve fruit size and sweetness. Add Sulfan to enhance fruit color and flavor. Use High K foliar together with Azatone, Plantone, or Pluto to boost fruit filling and sugar content.
Important Tip	Always add a sticker/spreader (e.g. Integra or similar) when applying foliar sprays to improve absorption and effectiveness.

6. Irrigation

Water regularly during germination and vegetative growth.
Reduce watering when fruits begin to mature to enhance sweetness.
Avoid waterlogging — drip irrigation is highly recommended.

7. Weed, Pest & Disease Management

Weeds

Control by hand hoeing or mulching to retain soil moisture.

Pests

Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and leafminers → Use insecticides like Imidacloprid, Spinosad, or Abamectin.
Fruit flies → Use traps or Lambda-cyhalothrin sprays.

Diseases

Powdery mildew → Use Sulphur (⚠️ avoid during flowering as it causes flower abortion) or Difenoconazole.
Fungal diseases (Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt, or stem rot) → Use Thiophanate-methyl or Carbendazim.
Rotate crops and avoid continuous watermelon cropping to reduce soil-borne pathogens.

8. Pollination

Watermelon relies on bee pollination.
Maintain honeybee activity and avoid spraying insecticides during flowering (especially in the morning).

9. Harvesting

Indicator	Description
Maturity period	75–90 days (variety-dependent)
Signs of maturity	Tendril near fruit turns brown/dry, dull skin, yellow underside, hollow sound when tapped
Yield	20–30 tons/acre (under good management)

Harvest with a small stem attached and handle gently to avoid bruising.

10. Post-Harvest Handling

Store in a cool, shaded area with good ventilation.
Avoid stacking too high to prevent crushing.
For transport, cushion fruits with grass or paper.

Additional information

Pack Size	50gm, 100gm, 250gm, 500gm, 1kg

The Farmers Centre

Sukari F1