TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS AND ECONOMIC RESULTS IN WATERMELON PRODUCTION

Watermelon production in Croatia has stagnated for a number of years and it could be mostly found on individual farms as their source of income in summer months. According to official data, production in Croatia in the year 2005 amounted to 66.280 tons. Growing watermelons from transplants is the most intensive way of production and it provides the highest yield. In combination with polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation it provides a stable and early yield. Transplants on mulch with drip irrigation were used in our example. The subject of research of this paper is organization of watermelon production on the area of three hectares. Based on calculated standards and developed technological map, the consumption of 44,3 hours of machine work and 332 hours of human labour per hectare were determined. The total costs amount to (sic)3.475,38, and, with 120 tons of yield and production value of (sic)4.563.65, the realized income was (sic)1.088,27. Based on the coefficient of economy of 1,31, the conclusion was made that watermelon production is efficient, and every (sic)100 invested in production resulted in (sic)31,3 of profit.