Portoalto watermelon (Portento F1) is a medium-early, productive hybrid of Tuscan type, developed by the United Genetics company, USA. The maturation period is approximately 65-80 days from transplanting, allowing for harvest within relatively short timeframes. The plant is vigorous, with abundant foliage and a branched root system, ensuring high stress tolerance and disease resistance. The hybrid adapts well to various growing conditions, successfully growing in open ground, under plastic covers, and in greenhouses, making it suitable for different climatic zones. Portoalto watermelon fruits have a round shape with longitudinal stripes and a creamy rind color when ripe. The weight of a single fruit ranges from 1 to 1.6 kg, making it suitable for single consumption. The flesh is bright orange, thick, juicy, and uniform, with a high sugar content (Brix 7-13%), imparting a sweet and nutritious flavor. The fruits contain a vitamin complex and fiber, making them beneficial for health. Due to their dense structure and quality rind, the fruits retain their market appearance and freshness for up to two weeks after harvest, facilitating transport and storage. Growing Portoalto watermelon requires specific agronomic practices. Seeds are sown for seedlings approximately one month before transplanting into the ground, at a temperature not lower than 17°C, with subsequent daytime temperatures raised to 25°C and nighttime temperatures to 18°C. The plant does not tolerate transplanting well, so seeds are sown 2-3 per container. Fertilization begins with ammonium nitrate after the appearance of two true leaves, followed by organic fertilizers during the flowering stage, and then with phosphorus and potassium. Drip irrigation is preferred, as watermelon does not tolerate high humidity, which may cause fungal diseases. Harvesting is done manually when the rind turns creamy, leaving a 5-7 cm stem, preferably early in the morning. Yield reaches 30-60 tons per hectare, making the hybrid highly productive and economically advantageous for cultivation.
