The use of growth stimulants in combination with micro fertilizers in the cultivation of table watermelon in the Republic of Dagestan

Relevance. In the «Strategy for the socio-economic development of the Republic of Dagestan for the period up to 2030», vegetable growing is a priority area for the development of the agro-industrial complex in order to ensure the country's food security. The Republic of Dagestan is one of the few subjects of the Russian Federation where the national standard for the consumption of vegetable products has been reached. Arbuz canteen is the most common crop among melons, but at the present stage, developments are required to improve the technology for cultivating canteen watermelon in rain-free conditions, ensuring stable yields with high fruit quality. The purpose of the studies was to determine the effectiveness of the use of growth stimulants and
methods of using micro-fertilizers in increasing the yield and quality of the fruits of table watermelon.
Materials and Methods. The object of research is a hybrid of the Dutch selection Karistan F₁ early ripening. Research was carried out in 2022-2024. in rain-free conditions on meadow soils of the Babayurt district of the Republic of Dagestan. Pre-sowing soaking of seeds with Zircon and Cytovite and treatment of plants with micro-fertilizers Reasil Forte and Vigor Forte were studied.
Results. It was established that pre-sowing seed treatment with Zircon together with Citovit and 2- fold treatment of plants (Vigor Forte+N₃₀P₃₀K₃₀) at the beginning of whip formation and before whip closing promotes germination and improves morphometric indices of seeds, lengthens vegetation period 5-7 days, provides yield at the level of 30 t/ha, while increasing the yield of standard products and profitability up to 138.8%.
Conclusions: Pre-sowing soaking of Karistan F₁ watermelon seeds with a mixture of Zircon + Cytovite (1 ml/l dose) leads to an increase in seed germination, and carrying out two leaf treatments of crops with a mixture of Vigor Forte + NPK leads to an increase in the growing season by 7 days, contributes to an increase in yield compared with the control by 6.4 tons/ha (by 26.2%), while increasing the profitability of production costs to 138.8%.

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