Phenological and Morphological Characterization of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) Subjected to Spiritual Blessing/Biofield Energy Treatment (SBET)

Abstract

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) is a high-value horticultural crop whose yield and quality are heavily dictated by phenological progression and vegetative vigor. Sustainable biostimulatory interventions, such as Spiritual Biofield Energy Treatment (SBET) have emerged as promising non-chemical strategies to modulate plant physiology and developmental dynamics. This study evaluated the effects of SBET on the morphological traits and fruit development parameters of C. lanatus under controlled field conditions. The current study was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). SBET significantly accelerated seed germination by reducing mean germination time. Plants subjected to SBET exhibited a significant increase in vine length (47.32%, p = 0.030), primary branch count (41.82%, p = 0.001), leaf count (31.44%, p ≤ 0.001), fruit length (31.25%, p = 0.009), seed count per fruit (34.94%, p = 0.008), and seed length (39.13%, p = 0.005) in the treatment group compared to the control group. Ultimately, these improvements led to a 28.57% increase in total fruit yield per hectare in the treatment group compared to the control group. Overall, SBET serves as an effective biostimulant that optimizes vegetative architecture and advances reproductive phenology in C. lanatus. These findings highlight SBET as a viable agricultural tool to boost crop yield, shorten crop turnover cycles, and enhance fruit marketability.