Watermelon production grows, but market worries

In the administrative region of Pelotas, watermelon producers expanded the planted area following the good prices recorded in the previous harvest and intensified investments in technology, with improvements in fertilization and irrigation use. The planting of the Manchester and Arriba cultivars was completed in a staggered manner, a strategy adopted to optimize labor use during harvest and other management activities. According to the report, "the rains of the last few weeks have favored the crop," which shows good development and health. The harvest is expected to start around January 10. In the Frederico Westphalen region, the harvest of watermelon and melon is ongoing, with fruits that, according to the survey, present good quality. In the Soledade region, excessive rainfall has negatively impacted watermelon crops. Although the plants show vigor, there is a need to intensify phytosanitary management to avoid fungal and bacterial diseases. The low luminosity has also caused ...