Physical and mechanical properties of rain fed soils and morphological characteristics of watermelon

Analyzed current practices of melon crop cultivation on rainfed lands of Uzbekistan with emphasis on soil preparation conditions. Investigated changes in the physical–mechanical properties of soil in the 0-30 cm layer at different periods after sowing under early spring cultivation conditions. Revealed temporal variations in soil moisture, bulk density, and hardness during the initial growth stages of watermelon under plastic film. Studied morphological development of watermelon plants grown on rainfed fields during the early vegetative period. Determined vine length, number of feeding roots, lateral root length, and taproot length 30-35 days after sowing. Established relationships between soil physical conditions and morphological characteristics of watermelon plants under drought-prone environments. Formed a systematic description of soil–plant interactions influencing early growth dynamics of watermelon on rainfed lands. Justified the applicability of the obtained soil and morphological parameters for optimizing tillage practices in watermelon cultivation. Presented experimental data essential for improving watermelon production technologies under water-limited conditions.