Yield Of Watermelon Research Articles

Production and quality of watermelon grown under seaweed extract

The use of biofertilizers with macroalgae base has become a viable alternative to conventionally used synthetic fertilizers. Among the advantages of using these extracts is the increase in productivity and improvements in the agronomic performance of the crop. Its use is allowed in organic agriculture as it is a natural product. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of the seaweed extract, Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) to the productive development and quality of watermelon plants. A randomized block design with 6 treatments and 4 replications was applied. The treatments comprised of full or divided doses (total of 3.0 ml L-1) of seaweed extract (T1: producer standard; T2: (1.0 – 1.0 – 1.0 mL L-1) applied 2 - 16 - 30 days after transplanting (d.a.t.); T3: (1.5 - 1.5 ml L-1) 2 - 30 (d.a.t.); T4: (1.0 – 1.0 – 1.0 mL L-1) 16 - 30 - 44 (d.a.t.); T5: (1.5 - 1.5 mL L-1) 16 - 30 (d.a.t.) T6: (3.0 mL L-1) 2 (d.a.t.). 100 mL of the prepared solution was used for each experiment. The application of Acadian® improved the yield of water melon in the order of 12.69 to 27.76% and at different periods of the crop cycle.

Influence of spacing on yield, quality and economics of watermelon

An experiment entitled “Influence of spacing on yield, quality and economics of watermelon” was undertaken at Instructional farm department of vegetable science college of horticulture Dr. PDKV, Akola during summer season of 2018-2019 to study the influence of spacing on yield quality and economics of watermelon. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications and five treatments viz. T1 (0.45 × 2.0 m) T2 (0.60 m × 2.0 m), T3 (0.75 m × 2.0 m), T4 (0.90 m × 2.0 m) and T5 (1.0 m × 2.0 m). As regard to yield parameter T5 (1.0 m × 2.0 m) was found superior in respect of days required for edible maturity, number of fruits plant-1, average fruit weight and fruit yield kg plant-1. While yield kg plot-1 and yield ha-1 were found maximum in treatment T1 (0.45 × 2.0 m). In respect of quality parameters, treatment T5 (1.0 × 2.0 m) recorded maximum fruit diameter, fruit length, TSS 0Brix, reducing sugar, non-reducing and total sugar percent. Highest gross, net monetary returns and B:C ratio were obtained with treatment T1 (0.45 × 2.0 m). Therefore, treatment T1 (0.45 × 2.0 m) was found to be most remunerative considering B:C ratio.

Characteristics of Growth, Yield, and Physiological Responses of Small-Sized Watermelons to Different Soil Moisture Contents Affected by Irrigation Starting Point in a Plastic Greenhouse

Watermelon yield mainly depends on soil water content controlled by irrigation in a plastic greenhouse. In this study, we investigated the effect of different soil moisture contents affected by irrigation starting point on growth, yield, and physiological responses of small-sized watermelons. Irrigation was initiated at 5 different levels of soil water content as a starting point with soil moisture detecting sensor after 14 days of transplanting, and stopped at 7 ~ 10 days before harvest. These treatments were compared with the conventional periodic irrigation as control. When soil had the lowest moisture content (-50 kPa), the overall shoot growth was retarded, but the root length and root dry weight increased. The photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate) of watermelon leaves decreased significantly in the lowest soil moisture content (-50 kPa). On the other hand, the photosynthetic rates of watermelon leaves grown with irrigation starting point between -20 and -40 kPa were observed to be higher than those of other treatments. Fruit set rate and marketable fruit yield increased significantly at –30 kPa and –40 kPa. Proline, abscisic acid (ABA), total phenol and citrulline, which are known to contribute to stress tolerance under drought condition, increased as soil water content decreased, particularly, the largest increases were recorded at –50 kPa. From these results, it was found that an appropriate water supply adjusted with an irrigation starting point between -30 and -40 kPa could help to keep favorable soil water content during the cultivation of small-sized watermelons, promoting the marketable fruit production as well as inducing the vigorous plant growth and reproductive development.

The influence of organic fertilizers on the yield and quality of watermelons

In connection with a decrease in soil fertility, it is necessary to revise the doses of mineral fertilizers when growing watermelons of the Shirin variety in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan. It is also necessary to establish the doses of fertilizers that have a positive effect on the yield and quality of the products obtained. The research was carried out at the experimental base of the Research Institute of Vegetables - Melons and Potatoes, located in the Tashkent region. The soils where the studies were carried out are typical gray soils of old irrigation with a humus content in the upper 0-25 cm horizon of about 1%, in the lower 25-40 cm horizon - about 0,7%. Calcareous soil, in texture referring stay to the dark loam average at density. During the research, the previously recommended doses of fertilizers were taken for control. During the experiments, the doses of mineral and organic fertilizers were increased accordingly. Studies have shown that the highest yield of good quality watermelons was obtained when applying 25,0 t/ha of manure in combination with N225 P225 K150 kg/ha and was equal to 21,2 t/ha, which is 37,7% higher than on the control variant (N150 P150 K100 kg/ha) and had good biochemical indicators of product quality: sugars 8,11%, dry matter 9,1%, ascorbic acid 21,6 mg%, nitrogen nitrates 20,6 mg/kg, on the control these indicators were equal to 6,65%, 8,6%, 17,9 mg%,13.2 mg/kg, respectively.

Effect of different spacing on weed interference and performance of watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) in South Western Nigeria Rainforest Zone

The spatial distribution of plants in a crop community is an important determinant of yields. An attempt was made to evaluate the effect of different spacing on weed interference, growth and yield of watermelon in Ikorodu agro-ecology during the rainy season of 2019.

Rootstock and Plastic Mulch Effect on Watermelon Flowering and Fruit Maturity in a Verticillium dahliae–Infested Field

Separately, grafting and the use of plastic mulch can increase yield, quality, and early harvest of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), especially when plants are under biotic and/or abiotic stress. A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate the combination of four different rootstocks and two types of plastic mulch (black and clear) on date of watermelon first flowering, fruit ripening, yield, and fruit quality when plants were exposed to Verticillium dahliae. Seedless watermelon cv. Secretariat was grafted onto rootstocks Lagenaria siceraria cv. Pelop, Benincasa hispida cv. Round, and two interspecific hybrid squash rootstocks Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata cvs. Super Shintosa and Tetsukabuto, with nongrafted ‘Secretariat’ as the control. Fruit were harvested 0, 7, and 14 days after both the leaflet and tendril attached to the fruit pedicel were completely dry (fruit considered to be physiologically mature). The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values for verticillium wilt were not different for mulch type in either year, although the overall AUDPC value was greatly reduced in the four grafted treatments (227) compared with nongrafted (743). There was no difference in days to male or female flowering due to mulch type or year, and rootstock did not affect first flowering of male flowers. Female flowering was 14 and 11 days later in 2018 and 2019, respectively, for ‘Secretariat’ grafted onto bottle gourd ‘Round’ compared with ‘Secretariat’ grafted onto ‘Tetsukabuto’. Female flowering of ‘Secretariat’ on ‘Round’ was also 7 days later compared with nongrafted ‘Secretariat’ both years. However, days to first harvest was not different with mulch or rootstock and was 92 days after transplanting (DAT) in 2018 and 114 DAT in 2019. There was no difference in yield (fruit number and weight) due to year, harvest date, or mulch, but there was a difference due to grafting. ‘Secretariat’ grafted onto ‘Super Shintosa’ had the greatest total number and weight of fruit per plant (3.7 and 14.8 kg, respectively), and nongrafted ‘Secretariat’ had the lowest (0.7 and 3.2 kg, respectively). Fruit quality attributes hollow heart formation (rating 3.2/5 on average), hard seed count (6 on average), total soluble solids (11% on average), and lycopene content were not different among mulch type, rootstock treatment, or harvest date; however, lycopene content did differ due to year (52.44 and 32.51 µg·g−1 in 2018 and 2019, respectively). Flesh firmness was highest for watermelon grafted onto ‘Super Shintosa’ rootstock (6.7 N) and lowest for nongrafted watermelon (4.3 N). Overall, rootstocks reduced verticillium wilt severity and increased fruit yield whereas mulch had no effects, and 5 V. dahliae colony forming units (cfu)/g of soil may be the minimum level for impact on watermelon fruit yield.

The influence of weather conditions on the yield and biochemical composition of watermelon

Relevance. A priority in the selection of watermelon is the creation of new competitive varieties that combine resistance to adverse stressors, high yield and excellent fruit quality. The purpose of this study is to show the influence of weather conditions on the growing season, yield and quality of watermelon fruits and the influence of growing conditions on the growth and development of watermelon plants.Materials and methods. The study used 5 varieties of watermelon included in the State Register and 2 new varieties, ready for transfer to the State Variety Test. During the research, all observations and counts were carried out in accordance with the State Variety Testing Methodology and the Field Experience Methodology.Results. In the process of research, it was found that the length of the growing season largely depends on the amount of precipitation and the sum of active temperatures, as well as on their distribution in interphase periods. It was noted that in the year with the highest rainfall, the growing season was the longest. Productivity for the analyzed period varies from 14.2 t / ha to 20.7 t / ha in the early group, from 19.4 t / ha to 24.9 t / ha in the average. The highest yields were recorded in 2017 with the least rainfall. Growing conditions had a significant impact on the quality of watermelon fruit: the solids content ranged from 9.4% to 12.8%, total sugar - from 7.70% to 11.35%.

Response of Watermelon Pulp (Citrullus colocynthoides) to Intercropped Maize (Zea mays L.) With Plants Distributions Under Different Nitrogen Fertilization Levels

Two field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm of Gemmeiza Agriculture Research Station, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt after 2018 and 2019 summer growing seasons to determine the effect of intercropping pattern of yellow maize hybrid (single cross 168: “SC 168”) with watermelon pulp at three plant distributions (20 cm between hills and one plant/hill, 40 cm between hills and two plants/hill and 60 cm between hills and three plants/hill) and different levels of nitrogen fertilizer (25, 50, 75 and 100% of the recommended dose “120 kg N fad-1”) as well as their interactions on maize and watermelon pulp growth, yield and its attributes as well as competitive relationships and yield advantages. The experiments were carried out in split-plot design with four replicates. The main-plots were assigned to plant distributions of maize, the sub-plots were allocated to levels of nitrogen fertilizer for maize. The obtained results showed that planting maize plants on one side of terraces of 140 cm width with 20 cm between hills and leaving one plant/hill and planting watermelon pulp on the other side of the terraces produced the highest values of plant height, ear height, number of kernels row-1, 100-kernel weight and grain yield fad-1, at the same time the lowest values of ear leaf area, ear length, ear diameter and number of rows ear-1 of maize as well as the lowest values of growth, yield and its attributes of watermelon pulp during the both seasons. Mineral fertilizing maize plants with 75% of the recommended dose (90 kg N/fad) and watermelon pulp with the recommended dose produced the highest values of all studied growth characters, yield and its attributes of maize and watermelon pulp in both seasons. The highest values of land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coefficient (RCC), area time equivalent ratio (ATER), land equivalent coefficient (LEC), aggressivity index (AI), monetary advantage index (MAI), actual yield (L.E.) of watermelon, Total income (L.E.) and economic return (L.E.) were obtained from planting maize plants on one side of terraces of 140 cm width with 60 cm between hills and leaving three plants/hill and planting watermelon pulp on the other side of the terraces besides fertilizing maize plants with 75% of the recommended dose (90 kg N/fad) and watermelon pulp with the recommended dose in both seasons. It can be recommended that planting maize on 60 cm between hills and leaving three plants/hill and planting watermelon pulp on the other side of the terraces besides fertilizing maize plants with 90 kg N/fad and watermelon pulp with the recommended dose to obtain the maximum values growth, yield and its attributes of watermelon pulp and competitive relationships and yield advantages of both crops under the climates conditions of Middle Delta, Egypt.

Effect of different irrigation water levels and bio-minerals fertilization on fruit yield, quality and water productivity of watermelon grown on sandy soil, Egypt.

Effect of different irrigation water levels and bio-minerals fertilization on fruit yield, quality and water productivity of watermelon grown on sandy soil, Egypt.

How do rootstocks of citron watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) affect the yield and quality of watermelon under deficit irrigation?

Deficit irrigation practices and utilization of rootstocks that are tolerant to water stress are critical strategies for the protection of water resources and sustainable irrigation management, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the yield and quality of watermelon grafted onto different rootstocks under deficit irrigation conditions during 2017 and 2018 in the Konya Plain of Turkey, where the semi-arid climate is prevalent. In this study, five different plant materials, such as citroides1 (A1), citroides2 (A2), gourd (A3), hybrid TZ148 (A4) rootstocks grafted with the Crimson Tide variety, and non-grafted Crimson Tide as control (K1), were used as the main-plots. Five different irrigation levels, calculated by taking into account the amounts of cumulative water (Ep) that evaporated at 7-day intervals from Class A Pan (I100 = 1.00Ep; I75 = 0.75Ep; I50 = 0.50Ep; I35 = 0.35Ep, and I0 = rain-fed), were used as the sub-plots.When the average of experimental years was considered, the highest rate of evapotranspiration (ET) was found in the plot A4I100 (615 mm). The highest fruit yield was obtained from the A4I100 (93.4 t/ha), and an increase in yield of up to 35 % was achieved in the A4I100, compared to non-grafted plants applied I100 irrigation level (K1I100). The analysis of data by both separate evaluation and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the yield values obtained from plants grafted onto A4, A1, and A2 rootstocks applied I75 irrigation level were higher than non-grafted plants applied I100 irrigation level. The water productivity (WP) and irrigation water productivity (IWP) ranged between 7.1–17.4 kg/m3 and 11.7–25.0 kg/m3, respectively, and a significant increase in the values of WP and IWP was achieved by grafting. This two-year study revealed that the performances of citron watermelon rootstocks were found close to the TZ148 rootstock in terms of fruit yield, certain yield components, WP, and IWP. Thus, it has also been demonstrated that the citron watermelons could be used commercially as watermelon rootstocks, and citron watermelon rootstocks could be used as watermelon rootstocks in breeding programs, in order to save water, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.

Correlation Analysis Between Yield Component Traits and Yield of Watermelon Genotypes (Citrullus lanatus)

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunberg) Matsum & Nakai] is a plant that is widely cultivated and contains important nutritional compounds such as citrulline, arginine, and glutathione. In the last few years, the consumption of vegetables and fruits in Indonesia has tended to increase but cannot be fulfilled by domestic production. Yields are influenced by the character of yield components. This research aims to study the relationship between yield component traits and yield of watermelon. The study was arranged in augmented design and planting material are 75 watermelons genotypes and 3 checks varieties. The results showed that there are some characters of yield components that correlated with yields. The characters of yield components that have positive genetic correlation and positive phenotype correlation with fruit weight are stem length, number of branches, fruit stalk length, fruit length, fruit diameter, thickness of pericarp, number of seeds per plant, and weight of seeds per plant. The yield components characters that have a negative genetic correlation with fruit weight are day to flowering. The characters of yield components that have positive genetic and phenotype correlation with seed weight per plant are fruit weight, stem length, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of seeds per plant, seed length, and seed width. The Characters of yield components that have a negative genetic correlation with seed weight are day to flowering and the first female flower emerges. The characters of yield components that correlate with the yield are used as selection markers for indirect selection.

Effects of different rootstocks on seed yield and quality of triploid watermelon grown in greenhouse

Effects of different rootstocks on seed yield and quality of triploid watermelon grown in greenhouse

Assessment of Growth and Yield of Watermelon and Soil Physical Properties in Response to Different Tillage Methods

Field experiment was conducted to investigate the response of soil physical properties, crop growth, yield and yield components of watermelon to different tillage methods in the transitional zone of Ghana in a two year period. The tillage treatments used in the study were plough and harrowed (PH), minimum tillage (MT) and no tillage (NT) which was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with 3 three replications. The two field experiments were undertaken at the experimental site of the University of Education, College of Agriculture, Mampong-Ashanti, (7°08‘ N, 1°24‘ W )located within the transitional agro-ecological zone between the forest and Guinea Savannah zones characterized with two rainfall regimes with an annual rainfall of 1094.2 mm with 30°C temperature. The soil belongs to the Bediase series with ochrosol type formed from voltain sandstone and a pH between 5.5 to 6. The statistical analysis revealed that, tillage methods significantly affected soil physical properties particularly, total porosity, volumetric water content and bulk density. Also, tillage methods influenced crop growth, (number of leaves and vine length), yield and yield components of watermelon in the order of Plough and harrowed > Minimum tillage > No-Tillage in almost all the treatments. Accordingly, the ploughed and harrowed (PH) was found to be more appropriate and profitable tillage method to improving soil physical properties, crop growth, yield and yield components of watermelon in the forest-transitional of Ghana.

Effect of organic amendments and fertigation on growth, yield of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) and soil of physico-chemical properties of Theri land (Red sand dune) of southern Tamil Nadu

The present investigation was carried out at Thirumaraiyur village, Sattankulam taluk, Thoothukudi district to study the effect of organic amendments with recommended dose of fertilizers on growth and yield of watermelon and physic-chemical properties of Theri soil (red sand dunes) during the year 2017 and 2018. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with Factorial concept (FRBD). In all there were three factors as organic amendments with 6 treatment combinations for each factor, which were assigned at random in each plots with three replications. The recommended dose of fertilizers in treatments were two levels as 75 and 100 per cent. Among the treatment combinations, the tank silt application @ 100 t ha-1 with 100 per cent recommended fertilizer as 200:100:100 kg of NPK ha-1 through fertigation at 7 days interval (A1N5) produced maximum number of branches (10.67), longest vine (362.0 cm), number of fruits plant-1 (2.57), weight of fruit (5.27 kg), fruit yield (68.77 t ha-1), gross return ( 4,09,320/ha), B:C ratio (2.45) and improved the physic-chemical properties viz., particle density (2.45 Mg m-3), bulk density (1.31 Mg m-3), per cent pore space (48.33%), pH (6.58), EC (0.35 dSm-1) and organic carbon content (0.52%).

Enhancing pollination is more effective than increased conventional agriculture inputs for improving watermelon yields.

Agricultural practices to improve yields in small‐scale farms in Africa usually focus on improving growing conditions for the crops by applying fertilizers, irrigation, and/or pesticides. This may, however, have limited effect on yield if the availability of effective pollinators is too low. In this study, we established an experiment to test whether soil fertility, soil moisture, and/or pollination was limiting watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) yields in Northern Tanzania. We subjected the experimental field to common farming practices while we treated selected plants with extrafertilizer applications, increased irrigation and/or extra pollination in a three‐way factorial experiment. One week before harvest, we assessed yield from each plant, quantified as the number of mature fruits and their weights. We also assessed fruit shape since this may affect the market price. For the first fruit ripening on each plant, we also assessed sugar content (brix) and flesh color as measures of fruit quality for human consumption. Extra pollination significantly increased the probability of a plant producing a second fruit of a size the farmer could sell at the market, and also the fruit sugar content, whereas additional fertilizer applications or increased irrigation did not improve yields. In addition, we did not find significant effects of increased fertilizer or watering on fruit sugar, weight, or color. We concluded that, insufficient pollination is limiting watermelon yields in our experiment and we suggest that this may be a common situation in sub‐Saharan Africa. It is therefore critically important that small‐scale farmers understand the role of pollinators and understand their importance for agricultural production. Agricultural policies to improve yields in developing countries should therefore also include measures to improve pollination services by giving education and advisory services to farmers on how to develop pollinator‐friendly habitats in agricultural landscapes.

Effect of fertigation and drip irrigation on yield and quality of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai

Effect of fertigation and drip irrigation on yield and quality of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai

Effect of organic phosphorus (cow dung) on the growth and yield of water melon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) in Anyigba, Kogi state, Nigeria

Field experiment was conducted at Kogi State University Research and Students’ Demonstration Farm, Anyigba in the Guinea Savanna agro-ecological region in North Central Nigeria during the raining season of 2019 to determine effect of phosphorus (P) on the growth characteristics and individual yield of water melon. The experiment consisted of a variety of water melon (Kaolack) treated to five (5) levels of P: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg P2O5/ha on the growth characteristics and yield of water melon, laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with five replications. Data were obtained for both growth characteristics and yield parameters, such as number of leaves, vine length, number of branches, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, number of fruits harvested, weight of harvested fruits, and fruit yield / ha. The results showed no significant (P≥0.05) effect of cow dung-based P on number of leaves, vine length, number of stem branches at 9WAS, days to 50% flowering and number of harvested fruit. However average fruit weight and fruit yield per hectare responded significantly to P treatment with 50 kg P2O5/ha giving the highest response in relation to water melon yield thus recommended for the experimental area.

Effect of organic phosphorus (cow dung) on the growth and yield of water melon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) in Anyigba, Kogi state, Nigeria

Effect of organic phosphorus (cow dung) on the growth and yield of water melon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) in Anyigba, Kogi state, Nigeria

Nanoparticle-Mediated Seed Priming Improves Germination, Growth, Yield, and Quality of Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) at multi-locations in Texas

Seed priming uses treatments to improve seed germination and thus potentially increase growth and yield. Low-cost, environmentally friendly, effective seed treatment remain to be optimized and tested for high-value specialty crop like watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in multi-locations. This remains a particularly acute problem for triploids, which produce desirable seedless watermelons, but show low germination rates. In the present study, turmeric oil nanoemulsions (TNE) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from agro-industrial byproducts were used as nanopriming agents for diploid (Riverside) and triploid (Maxima) watermelon seeds. Internalization of nanomaterials was confirmed by neutron activation analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The seedling emergence rate at 14 days after sowing was significantly higher in AgNP-treated triploid seeds compared to other treatments. Soluble sugar (glucose and fructose) contents were enhanced during germination in the AgNP-treated seeds at 96 h. Seedlings grown in the greenhouse were transplanted at four locations in Texas: Edinburg, Pecos, Grapeland, and Snook in 2017. At Snook, higher yield 31.6% and 35.6% compared to control were observed in AgNP-treated Riverside and Maxima watermelons, respectively. To validate the first-year results, treated and untreated seeds of both cultivars were sown in Weslaco, Texas in 2018. While seed emegence and stand establishments were enhanced by seed priming, total phenolics radical-scavenging activities, and macro- and microelements in the watermelon fruits were not significantly different from the control. The results of the present study demonstracted that seed priming with AgNPs can enhance seed germination, growth, and yield while maintaining fruit quality through an eco-friendly and sustainable nanotechnological approach.

Inadequate pollination services limit watermelon yields in northern Tanzania

Insect pollination plays a vital role for the yield of many crops, such as apples, strawberries and coffee, which are economically significant commodities on the global market. Yet, knowledge about the role of insect pollination is lacking for many cash crops that support the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in developing countries.To assess if yields of watermelon are pollen limited, we conducted a supplemental hand-pollinated experiment (using a pollen mixture of cross and self-pollen) in 13 small-scale farms in an agricultural landscape in the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions in northern Tanzania. We assessed fruit set, fruit abortion and weight of the mature fruits stemming from hand pollinated and control flowers. To check if differences in yield responses between hand-pollinated and control treatments depended on resource availability, we also accounted for local soil conditions.We found that hand pollination (i) increased the probability of fruit initiation by 30%, (ii) reduced the probability of fruit abortion by 13%, (iii) increased the probability of flowers developing into mature fruits by 42% and (iv) increased average fruit weight by 1.3 kg (±0.15 SE). Our results indicate that our system is pollen limited, due to insufficient visitor frequency and/or inefficient pollinator species.Fruit initiation and fruit weight were positively related to soil carbon, irrespective of treatment. The influence of soil moisture was not consistent across the measured responses, and differed between hand-pollinated and the control treatments.We suggest that farmers in our focal area should focus on improving the quality of the landscape to sustain and enhance healthy pollinator communities ultimately improving yields. We also suggest that farmers should continue current practices with respect to fertilization. The role of soil moisture on fruit initiation and maturation should be investigated to ensure that the positive effects of pollen is not hindered by soil moisture conditions.