Hello everyone on the farm in this article today we will talk about the melon its properties and the main pests and diseases that we can find in the melon. The melon (Cucumis melo) belongs to the cucurbitaceae family, which resembles cucumber, pumpkin and zucchini. Not only is it a juicy and refreshing fruit. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals with multiple beneficial effects for health.
Several theories circulate about its origin: some believe it to be from the East (India, China or Persia), while others place its origin on the African continent. In any case, it was already cultivated in Egypt five millennia before our era.
Today it is one of the largest fruits, weighing between 700 g and 4 kg. The bark varies in texture and color (green, yellow, orange or even white), as does the pulp (from yellowish white to orange, passing through green).
PROPERTIES OF MELON
It is one of the most appetizing fruits in summer. The melon contains a lot of water, around 85%. 100 g of its pulp account for only about 35 calories, provides 8 g of carbohydrates, fiber (1%) and low amount of fat (0.1%) and protein (0.6%). It has a high content of beta-carotene (in the body it is converted into vitamin A), and vitamins C and B9. With 200 g, it covers more than 80% of the daily needs of vitamin C, 30% of B9 or folic acid and 20% of beta-carotene. Both vitamin A and C are antioxidants and strengthen the immune system. The melon stands out in potassium (330 mg / 100 g), which explains its diuretic effect and contains some phosphorus (21 mg), calcium (6 mg) and magnesium (15 mg).
BENEFITS OF MELON FOR HEALTH
Its richness in water, potassium, folic acid and antioxidant vitamins makes the melon a light and very healthy food.
IT IS DEPURATIVE
Because of its high water content and its contribution of fiber and potassium, the melon has a diuretic action and slightly laxative, which helps eliminate waste from the body.
This makes it a good ally of the skin and makes it recommended for people suffering from blood vessel and heart conditions or fluid retention. It also has a beneficial effect in cases of rheumatism, arthritis and gout.
REDUCES BLOOD TENSION
The high proportion of water and potassium is compounded by its low sodium content (20 mg / 100 g), which allows it to be included in the prescribed salt-free regimens, once again, in cases of hypertension or fluid retention.
RECOMMENDED SINCE BEFORE BIRTH
Its consumption is convenient during pregnancy and the previous months, since its components (calcium, magnesium, phosphates and vitamins A and C) are favorable to the growth of the fetus.
Its content in folic acid is especially significant. A 200 g serving covers up to 30% of the daily needs of this vitamin.
TO LOSE WEIGHT
Due to its low caloric intake and its low percentage of sugars, it is recommended in treatments for obesity and diabetes.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Its anti-inflammatory virtues make this fruit a good ally in the treatment of hemorrhoids, including external application.
THE MELON IN THE KITCHEN
The most common way to consume melon in its natural state is as a tabletop fruit. However, it lends itself very well to an infinity of preparations, both sweet and salty.
It is ideal for making compotes, jams, creams, sorbets or juices, and it is increasingly used in aperitifs as a snack or as a luxury ingredient in colorful skewers.
It also allows you to prepare summer salads and salads.
The melon is digested better if eaten alone. In any case, it should not be taken too cold or drinking large amounts of water, as it could be excessively laxative.
The most nutritious and rich in beta carotene varieties are the cantaloupe, with orange flesh and the small size, rounded shape, cracked bark and extremely sweet. The tendral is the most common and the richest in water.
[SOURCE](https://www.google.co.za/search?q=The+melon seeds+are also+nutritious)
Melon seeds are also nutritious and a very interesting culinary ingredient.
Tasty appetizer: dried in the sun or baked, or lightly toasted, can be salted or spiced to serve as an appetizer. Thus, its high content of flavonoids stands out, which gives them antioxidant effects.
Summer refreshing: fresh water is prepared with the seeds. They are washed and drained, crushed, sweetened and mixed with chopped melon and water. The drink is refrigerated three hours before serving.
Calming oil: melon seeds are also extracted, by pressure, an edible oil rich in flavonoids and with pectoral and soothing properties.
PURCHASE AND CONSERVATION
You have to choose the most compact and heavy specimens, and pay attention to their skin, which must be thick, without spots and with the color that corresponds to its variety.
A ripe melon has to give off a sweet and delicate aroma, but not excessive, since it would be a sign that it is gone.
Another way to know its state is to press, with the thumb, on the end of the stem, which should yield slightly if the fruit is in condition.
In case something is still green, we can store it in an aerated and fresh place until it matures. However, once ripe it should be consumed soon.
It is best to keep it in the refrigerator, but only for a few days and cover it with a transparent film to prevent it from being impregnated with other aromas.
PESTS OF MELON
ORUGA DEL MELÓN
It is a plague that mainly affects the melon, but can also attack other species of cucurbits. They are light green, with two longitudinal white lines. To transform it into a pupa or chrysalis (the previous step to be a butterfly) it folds the edge of the leaves and protects it inside.
THE MAIN DAMAGES CAUSED BY THESE CATERPILLARS ARE:
Devour the leaves.
Damage to fruits, reaching its rot.
Major effects in summer.
FOR THE CONTROL OF THIS PEST it is advisable to keep the crop and its surroundings free of weeds, to use natural enemies (Apanteles sp, Eiphosoma insulares, etc) and to associate crops such as corn.
PLUSIA
It is known as Plusia to a caterpillar of the Lepidoptera family. It mainly affects tomato, melon, bean, potato, alfalfa and also vine crops. It has a green color, with a yellow longitudinal line on each side.
THE MAIN DAMAGE is due to the defoliation caused by the caterpillars feeding on the leaves. In the first larval stages the caterpillar only eats the underside of the leaves, but as it grows it can make full holes. Also, it can attack the fruit in some crops as it happens with tomatoes.
Special attention should be paid in the nursery, when the seedlings are very small and cause serious damage.
THE MAIN CONTROL METHODS ARE:
Through natural enemies such as Cotesia plutellae or Copidosoma Floridanum.
Place pheromone traps to track the population (approximately 3 traps per hectare).
Remove the affected plants.
WHITE FLY
White flies are usually located on the underside of leaves. What most like these small insects is tomato, cabbage and cucurbits such as pumpkin, zucchini or melon. They like humidity and high temperatures, so it is a frequent pest in spring and summer (and very dangerous in greenhouses).
THE MAIN DAMAGE THAT CAUSES THE CROPS ARE:
Extraction of sap from the plant.
Mechanical damage
They produce molasses.
Some species are vectors of diseases.
THE BEST METHOD OF CONTROL, IS PREVENTION. Therefore, it is important that you review the back of the sheets from time to time in order to act as soon as possible. In addition, there are several methods of control of whitefly such as chromatic traps, natural predators, infusion of wormwood, garlic, etc.
RED SPIDER
Although it is known as a red spider, it is a kind of mite. They tend to be generalists and mainly affect the vine, horticultural crops (zucchini, eggplant, etc.) or ornamental. They are located on the underside of the leaves and are identified by presenting dark spots on the sides and a large number of silks.
DISEASES IN THE MELÓN
OIDIO
Hatred is a fungus, also known as ashen, bad white or white mold. It appears in the form of white spots and is transformed into a white-gray dust. Thanks to that white powder, it is one of the easiest fungi to detect. It usually develops in the leaves, although it can also spread on the stem or fruits. Its presence hinders photosynthesis. If we do not control it well, the leaves yellow and can dry.
Humidity and warm temperatures are ideal conditions for the appearance of powdery mildew in our garden.
MILDEW
Another fungus that affects melons is the Mildew. It produces greasy-looking spots of different shades on the edges of the leaves or on the fruits, which later turn brown and wilt.
MELON ANTRACNOSIS
The ideal conditions for this type of fungus are: high relative humidity (80%) and temperature between 20-30ºC. It is transmitted through rain or irrigation water. The main symptoms are yellowish lesions on the leaves, which can dry them. In fruits there are deep and rounded brown spots.
THE MOST EMPLOYED CONTROL METHODS ARE:
Crop rotation.
Use resistant varieties.
Remove damaged plants and pruning remains.
Use certified seeds
Do not abandon crops at the end of the cycle.
Source:
https://www.agrohuerto.com/el-melon-plagas-y-enfermedades-comunes/
https://www.cuerpomente.com/guia-alimentos/melon
I hope you liked the article and I hope it will be useful.
