CHAPTER XXXI

WATERMELON
The watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) is a coarse, trailing, annual herb with branching tendrils.
The widely spreading vines often reach lengths of 12 to 18 feet and the roots spread quite as far
as the vines. It is a native of tropical Africa and requires a long and relatively hot season for its
best development. It is grown most extensively in the South, where it is an important field and
truck crop, and also in the central states. Early-maturing varieties are grown in the North,
however, the growing period frequently being lengthened by starting the plants under protection
for a few weeks before setting them in the field. Since the plants require much room, they are not
so common in home and market gardens as most other vegetables. The citron is a hard and
white-fleshed race of watermelon.
Watermelons of the Kleckley Sweet variety were planted at Norman, Okla., Apr. 19. Several
seeds were planted in each hill. The hills were 6 feet distant in rows 7 feet apart. When the
seedlings were well established all but the most vigorous one of them were removed from the
hill.
Early Development.--The first excavating was done May 20. The plants had made rather slow
growth and were just beginning to "vine." Each had three or four vines varying from 3 to 12
inches in length.
The taproots were about 5 millimeters in diameter and tapered to 2 millimeters near their ends
at a depth of about 15 inches. One taproot forked dichotomously at a depth of 10 inches, the two
branches diverging widely in the more compact subsoil. Horizontal branches began to appear 2
inches below the soil surface. These averaged about four per inch of taproot. None exceeding 4
inches in length occurred below the 12-inch soil level. Four of the larger ones were 2 millimeters
in diameter and pursued a somewhat devious course to distances of 26 to 38 inches from the base
of the plant. Except on the last 3 inches, of these white, fleshy roots, laterals occurred at the rate
of four to six per inch. These laterals were rather uniformly 0.5 millimeter thick and 2 inches
long; they were entirely unbranched, They grew in all directions but usually at right angles to the
main root. The smaller branches from the taproot varied from less than 1 inch to 2 feet in length.
Otherwise they were very similar to the longer ones.
The roots rather thoroughly occupied the 8-inch furrow slice to within 1 or 2 inches of the
surface but seemed to avoid penetrating the compact deeper soil. The root habit was so similar to
that of the muskmelon that no drawings were made.
Half-grown Plants.--A second examination was made June 10. Each of the thriving plants had
several vines 4 to 8 feet long. The general habit of the root system had not changed. The chief
difference was an increased lateral spread to a maximum distance of 5 feet. The depth of root
penetration had increased only slightly (to 24 inches). On the first foot of taproot about 12
laterals per inch arose. On an average, 1 of these had developed strongly, 3 were of medium
length, and the rest were small. Seven short branches per inch, as an average, were found in the

second foot of soil. In fact little absorption was occurring at this level. Small laterals were not
abundant on the first 12 to 18 inches, i.e., the oldest portion of the larger roots. But elsewhere, as
on the shorter laterals, rootlets about 2 inches long occurred at a rate of 6 to 12 per inch. Tertiary
branches were entirely absent. At this stage of development, however, a differentiation in the size
and length of the secondary branches was taking place. Approximately 1 root per inch was
making a more vigorous growth than the others. Many of these later developed into strong
laterals.
It is of interest to note that, the muskmelon, planted at the same time had vines quite as long as
those of the watermelon, taproots of the same length, and also a lateral spread of roots of
approximately 5 feet.
Mature Plants.--The period from June 10 to July 26 was one of very rapid growth in the
development of the watermelon. The vines, which now intermingled between the hills, were 15
to 18 feet in length. Fully grown fruits were abundant. Some had been ripe for a period of 10
days.
The taproots were, 15 millimeters thick near the ground line, 2.5 millimeters in diameter at a
depth of 12 inches, and some penetrated to the 45-inch level. As is common among the cucurbits,
the deeper portion of the root system was relatively poorly developed. Below 12 inches only
short horizontal and obliquely or vertically descending branches were found. These occurred at
the rate of only one to four per inch. Below 2 feet the laterals did not exceed 3 inches in length,
the last 4 inches of root end being free from branches.
The surface-absorbing system had made a truly remarkable growth. It was, in general, similar to
that of the muskmelon but very much greater in extent. It consisted of 24 main roots and their
very extensive branches. The four largest of these had diameters of 1 centimeter at their origin
and tapered to about 4 millimeters at a distance of 15 feet from the plant. A diameter of 2
millimeters was maintained to their tips. They ran 18 to 21 feet from the base of the plant. Thus
the root extent exceeded that of the vines. The remaining roots were 1 to 5 millimeters thick and
varied from 3 to 16 feet in length. No small absorbing laterals were found on the taproot nor on
the branches near it. In fact the larger branches were devoid of rootlets throughout the first 12 to
24 inches of their course except for the 8 to 16 rather strong branches which here originated.
Large secondary branches 3 to 5 millimeters thick were likewise bare for short distances.
Otherwise a wonderfully well-developed network of rootlets filled the surface foot of soil, many
laterals extending far into the second and sometimes entering the third foot.
Major laterals arose from the main branches in large numbers, usually one or more every 1 to 3
feet. They were most abundant in the first 10 feet from the base of the plant. They diverged at
various angles with the parent root but pursued a generally outward direction. Such laterals, 6 to
10 feet long, were frequent. Beyond 15 feet the branches were usually 8 inches or less in length
and mostly unbranched. Although the main roots and their numerous horizontal branches were
confined almost entirely to the surface foot of soil, rather numerous, vertically descending
branches extended into the second foot or beyond. The surface soil was extremely well ramified
with these main roots and their profuse sublaterals. The latter were 3 to 4 inches long and
occurred at the rate of about eight per inch. Branching in the deeper soil was less pronounced.

The vines were laid parallel to the row from time to time during the process of shallow
cultivation and consequently not allowed to root at the nodes.
Summary.--The vines of the watermelon, which spread more widely than those of the
muskmelon, are equaled in extent by the extremely elongated, shallow roots. Month-old plants,
just beginning to "vine," have short taproots with long branches only in the surface soil. Among
the very numerous, horizontal branches some are 2 to 3 feet in length. Long, simple, secondary
branches are very abundant. Twenty-one days later the vines are 4 to 8 feet in length. Root depth
increases to 2 feet, but only a small absorbing area is developed in the second foot of soil. The
lateral spread has increased to 5 feet. Of the very numerous main laterals, about 12 make a most
vigorous growth. Maturing plants have vines 15 to 18 feet long and a superficial root system
similar to that of the muskmelon but much more extensive. It consists of about 24 main roots and
their very extensive branches. A few extend outward 18 to 21 feet from the base of the plant.
Major branches are abundant and minor rootlets almost innumerable. The surface foot is a
network 'of roots. Numerous larger branches extend into the second and even the third foot of
soil. These (with the short branches from the taproot, which is now 4 feet deep) quite thoroughly
ramified the deeper soil but to a far less degree than the wonderfully developed surface root
system.
Other Investigations on Watermelons.--A thorough study of the root system of watermelons
and citrons at Saratov, Russia, gave results similar to those described. The seeds were sown the
middle of May and root excavations were made in the middle of September when each plant had
about four or five large, ripe fruits. The main root mass was found in the surface 16 to 20 inches
of soil. The taproot, with a diameter of 23 millimeters, extended downward to a depth of
approximately 3 inches before it began to branch. At this depth it was 15 millimeters in diameter
and tapered to a thickness of only 1 millimeter at a depth of 41 inches. Here it was broken and
the soil was so hard that the maximum depth was not determined. As the taproot penetrated the
deeper soil, the number of laterals decreased. At depths of 27.5 to 31.5 inches only fine
unbranched rootlets arose from the main root.
The most important lateral roots, 12 in number, originated between depths of approximately 3
and 7 inches. Most of them followed a wavy, horizontal course, which was found not to exceed a
depth of 12 inches nor to approach nearer than 3 inches to the soil surface. These large,
horizontal roots were generally longer than the taproot. They spread widely in all directions as
white, thin, whip-like branches, some having a length of 13 to 16.5 feet (maximum, 19.7 feet)
and were almost as long as the surface vines (Fig. 86). These laterals varied from 5 to 10
millimeters in diameter at their origin but tapered to a thickness of less than 1 millimeter at their
ends. Each of them had a very large number of well-branched rootlets of the second, third, and
higher orders. Those of the second and third order were from 3 to 4 millimeters thick at their
origin and all branched very extensively. Some of the finest lateral rootlets were spotted with
anthocyanin over small areas. Altogether the roots formed a great network of long, rebranched
laterals completely occupying a surface-soil area sometimes 26 to 32.7 feet in diameter. 76

Fig. 86.--A View of the surface root system of a citron. The main roots varied from 13 to over 16 feet in length.
(After S. Kartashova.)

Root Habits in Relation to Cultural Practice.--Well-drained, warm, and fertile soil of good
tilth and humus content furnishes the ideal environment for the very rapid and extensive growth
of the roots of watermelons. Like all cucurbits they are intolerant of poor aeration. Sandy loams
are preferred and those with a clay subsoil are quite ideal, since they warm quickly and promote
rapid growth but still retain moisture quite well for the shallow root system. Indeed, good crops
may be grown under semiarid conditions if proper precautions are taken to preserve the soil
moisture. Any soil for melons must be capable of being worked early in the spring. The melons,
once planted, grow so rapidly, if temperatures are favorable, that relatively few cultivations can
be given after the plants show aboveground. The strong development of the laterals in the several
species of cultivated cucurbits becomes apparent early in the life of the plant. Melons only 2
weeks old were found to have a taproot nearly 7 inches long and laterals 6 inches in length, the
whole occupying a soil volume approximately 12 inches in width and depth. 76 Hence, most of
the soil preparation must be done before the seeds are planted. As for muskmelons and other
cucurbits, the soil should be thoroughly plowed and subsequently worked to form a deep,
mellow, but rather compact seed bed. It should be constantly kept in mind, in preparing and
fertilizing the soil, that the seat of greatest root activity is in the surface 8 to 12 inches.
In the South, commercial growers plow comparatively deep furrows 10 feet apart and small
cross-furrows also 10 feet distant at right angles to the deeper ones. About a peck of stable
manure is put into the deep furrows, approximately half of it on each side of the intersection of
the two furrows, allowing a space of about 10 inches on each side of the intersection to be bare
of manure. The seeds are then planted at each intersection and the developing root system soon
extends into the richly fertilized area and the plants grow vigorously. When the vines are about 2
feet long a dressing of readily available nitrogen fertilizer is applied. 146
The room occupied by the greatly spreading vines accounts for the wide spacing of the plants,
viz., in hills 8 to 12 feet apart or 2 to 3 feet apart in drills 8 to 12 or more feet distant. Fortunately
this allows ample room for root development, although spacing has been empirical in so far as
exact knowledge of root relations has been concerned. The proper method of hill planting, as
well as that of planting in drills, is favorable to easy thinning without disturbing the roots of the

stronger plants left to grow. About a dozen seeds are placed over an area of a square foot. Various
insect enemies make the fate of the seedlings uncertain so that thinning is delayed until they are
well established. Being spaced at some distance, the plants come up independently and it is easy
to select the most vigorous individuals that are to remain in the hill. To avoid disturbance to their
roots in removing their neighbors, the latter are usually cut at the ground line rather than being
pulled. Experience has shown just what a study of the very extensive and thorough ramifications
of the root system points out, viz., that with an average moisture supply a single plant per hill
will succeed in producing as good a yield as two will. 146
Like other cucurbits, watermelons are transplanted with difficulty unless the roots are protected
from disturbance by growing the seedlings in inverted pieces of sod, in pots, bands, or other
containers. Under such treatment they have the advantage of a longer growing season and better
protection during establishment from insect enemies. After a few weeks they are transplanted
into the field without checking their growth.
Watermelons respond to the usual benefits of cultivation if the root system is uninjured. The
objects of cultivation are to remove competing weeds and make a more congenial environment
for root development. Early tillage is beneficial in preventing crusting of the soil and subsequent
difficulty in the emergence of the large cotyledons; in promoting better soil aeration, and in
conserving moisture. It should be understood that root growth often exceeds that of the vines and
takes place simultaneously; the roots are near the surface and beneficial cultivation must be
shallow.
Pruning the vines, as with sweet potatoes, is a harmful practice and not in common use. 9 Any
injury to the food-making portion of the plant probably results in a diminished root growth and
smaller fruits. The common practice of pruning the smaller' melons has a different physiological
basis which is entirely scientific.
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