Comparison of transplanting methods for watermelon production

Mohamad Fakhrul Zaman Omar, . and Anuar Abdullah, . and Hafidha Azmon, . and Rohazrin Abdul Rani, . and Teoh, Chin Chuang (2022) Comparison of transplanting methods for watermelon production. International Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Plantation (Malaysia), 12. pp. 32-36. ISSN 2462-1757

The transplanting method is an effective watermelon planting approach for open fields area. This is done to guarantee the survival rate and quality of watermelon seedlings. However, this method frequently encounters weed control issues, especially during the initial stages of growth. If not controlled, it can have a significant impact on watermelon yield. This problem is addressed through the use of plastic mulch. However, a special machine is required to carry out the work of planting the seedling on the bed with plastic mulch so that the seedling is perfectly planted, as opposed to planting on exposed land without plastic mulch, which is easier. The goal of this study was to assess the performance and operation of various watermelon transplanter methods in the field. Watermelon planting methods include tractor-mounted transplanters, pedestrian transplanters, and manual planting. Both of these machines are made up of a planter unit that is capable of drilling holes in plastic mulch and planting seedlings. On the other hand, the manual method makes use of hand tools such as a steel scope or a wooden stick. The study assesses labour consumption, time, planting distance, and the impact on operators while carrying out this activity on the field. According to the study's findings, the effective field capacity for pedestrian transplanter, tractor-mounted transplanter, and manual planting was 0.29 hectare/hour, 0.27 hectare/hour, and 0.24 hectare/hour, respectively. Meanwhile, using the machines requires a minimum of two people and manually requires three people. Thus, the pedestrian transplanter had the highest working capacity of 7 man- hours/hectare, followed by the tractor-mounted transplanter with 8 man-hours/hectare, and the manual method with 24 man- hours/hectare. The study concluded that using machines for watermelon cultivation operations was a 66.7 percent more effective improvement than the manual method. If the use of machines is expanded, it has the potential to increase the amount of cultivation area and watermelon production in Malaysia.

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Abstract

The transplanting method is an effective watermelon planting approach for open fields area. This is done to guarantee the survival rate and quality of watermelon seedlings. However, this method frequently encounters weed control issues, especially during the initial stages of growth. If not controlled, it can have a significant impact on watermelon yield. This problem is addressed through the use of plastic mulch. However, a special machine is required to carry out the work of planting the seedling on the bed with plastic mulch so that the seedling is perfectly planted, as opposed to planting on exposed land without plastic mulch, which is easier. The goal of this study was to assess the performance and operation of various watermelon transplanter methods in the field. Watermelon planting methods include tractor-mounted transplanters, pedestrian transplanters, and manual planting. Both of these machines are made up of a planter unit that is capable of drilling holes in plastic mulch and planting seedlings. On the other hand, the manual method makes use of hand tools such as a steel scope or a wooden stick. The study assesses labour consumption, time, planting distance, and the impact on operators while carrying out this activity on the field. According to the study's findings, the effective field capacity for pedestrian transplanter, tractor-mounted transplanter, and manual planting was 0.29 hectare/hour, 0.27 hectare/hour, and 0.24 hectare/hour, respectively. Meanwhile, using the machines requires a minimum of two people and manually requires three people. Thus, the pedestrian transplanter had the highest working capacity of 7 man- hours/hectare, followed by the tractor-mounted transplanter with 8 man-hours/hectare, and the manual method with 24 man- hours/hectare. The study concluded that using machines for watermelon cultivation operations was a 66.7 percent more effective improvement than the manual method. If the use of machines is expanded, it has the potential to increase the amount of cultivation area and watermelon production in Malaysia.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	watermelons
AGROVOC Term:	transplanting
AGROVOC Term:	planting
AGROVOC Term:	weed control
AGROVOC Term:	transplanters
AGROVOC Term:	plastic mulches
AGROVOC Term:	mechanization
AGROVOC Term:	time
AGROVOC Term:	yields
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Mr. Khoirul Asrimi Md Nor
Date Deposited:	19 May 2026 07:46
Last Modified:	19 May 2026 07:46
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/3897

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