Establishment (0–25 days after transplant)
The objective is root volume, not visible top growth. Avoid heavy nitrogen; focus on phosphorus availability and root-zone health. A clean start here decides how the plant handles fruit load later.
Vegetative to first flowering (25–45 days)
This is where hidden micronutrient deficiencies begin costing yield without symptoms. A foliar application of a chelated micronutrient mixture at 100 g per acre at active growth, and again at pre-flowering, corrects deficiencies before they express.
Boron matters here: it governs pollen viability and fruit set. Deficient blocks show flower drop that gets blamed on weather.
Flowering and fruit set (45–70 days)
Hold flower retention through stress windows. A seaweed-based bio-stimulant at 250 ml per acre at pre-flowering and full bloom supports set through heat spikes. Calcium and boron together reduce fruit disorders later.
Fruit development to harvest
Uniform moisture is non-negotiable — irregular irrigation at this stage causes cracking and blossom-end problems no spray corrects. Keep potassium supply steady across the picking window to hold size and colour in later harvests.
Note
Recommendations are indicative and should be adjusted to soil-test results and local advisory. Use agrochemicals responsibly. Read the label before use.