GCREC Research Report BRA 2000-5
DIPLOID WATERMELON VARIETY EVALUATION
SPRING 2000
D. N. Maynard' and A. M. Dunlap2
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
University of Florida
5007 60th Street East
Bradenton, FL 34203
Diploid (seeded) watermelons generally weigh from 18 to 35 lb and represent most of the
commercial crop grown in Florida. Icebox watermelons weigh 6 to 12 lb each and are grown on a
very small acreage. Triploid (seedless) watermelons, usually weighing 12 to 18 lb, are grown in
Florida on an increasing scale. Florida produced 10.5 million cwt of watermelons of all types from
35,000 harvested acres in 1998-99 which provided an average yield of 300 cwt/acre. The average
price was $6.90/cwt resulting in a crop value of over $72 million which accounted for 4.6% of the
gross value of the state's vegetable crops (Witzig and Pugh, 2000).
'Allsweet' and blocky 'Crimson Sweet' types are the most commonly grown diploid watermelons
in Florida. Hybrids have replaced open-pollinated varieties in most production areas.
The purpose of this trial was to evaluate some of the recently introduced commercial varieties and
experimental lines of the blocky 'Crimson Sweet' and 'Allsweet' types.
Materials and Methods
Soil samples from the experimental area obtained before fertilization were analyzed by the
University of Florida Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (Hanlon and DeVore, 1989): pH = 7.1
(target pH is 6.0) and Mehlich I extractable P = 160 (very high), K = 28 (low), Mg = 96 (high), Ca
= 854 (adequate), Zn = 11.3 (adequate), Cu = 6.6 (adequate), and Mn = 5.9 (adequate) ppm.
The EauGallie fine sand was prepared in early February by incorporation of 0-0.8-0 lb N-P205-K20
per 100 linear bed feet (lbf). Beds were formed and fumigated with methyl bromide: chloropicrin,
67:33 at 2.3 lb/l00 lbf. Banded fertilizer was applied in shallow grooves on the bed shoulders at 3.1-
0-4.3 lb N-P205-K20/100 lbf after the beds were pressed and before application of the black
polyethylene mulch. The total fertilizer applied was equivalent to 148-40-206 lb N-P205-K20/acre.
The final beds were 32-in. wide and 8-in. high and were spaced on 9-ft centers, with four beds
between seepage irrigation/drainage ditches which were on 41-ft centers. The diploid watermelons
were planted in rows adjacent to the ditches and also served as pollenizers for triploid watermelons
that were being evaluated in the two center beds of each land.
'Professor.
2Biological Scientist.
September
Watermelon seeds were planted on 22 February in holes punched in the polyethylene mulch at 3-ft
in-row spacing. Seedlings were thinned at the two true-leaf stage to one per hole. Thirty-four entries
(Table 1) were included in the trial. The 30-ft long plots had ten plants each and were replicated four
times in a randomized complete-block design. Weed control in row middles was accomplished by
cultivation and application of paraquat. Plant stands recorded just before vines grew together
showed no significant difference among plots. Pesticides were applied as needed for control of
silverleaf whitefly endosulfann and imidacloprid), gummy stem blight (chlorothalonil and
azoxystrobin), and lepidopterous larvae (Bacillus thuringiensis, spinosad and methomyl).
Watermelons were harvested on 15-25 May and 30 May -15 June. Marketable fruit (U.S. No. 1 or
better) according to U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons (U.S. Dept. Agr., 1978) were
separated from culls and counted and weighed individually. Fruit 12 lbs and larger were assumed
to be marketable. Soluble solids (a measure of sweetness) determinations were made with a digital,
hand-held refractometer on six fruit of each entry at each harvest, polar and equatorial dimensions
were obtained and the incidence of hollowheart was recorded for these fruits. Cell separations,
however slight, were noted as hollowheart, even though the fruit may be commercially acceptable.
The resulting data were subjected to analysis of variance and mean separation was by Duncan's
multiple range test.
Results and Discussion
Temperature (Table 2) during the experimental period from 22 February to 15 June was near normal
throughout. Rainfall was below average in every month and sparse in the first 15 days of June.
Early yields, based on the first of two harvests, ranged from 0 for 'Royal Sweet' to 341 cwt/acre for
'Celebration' (Table 3). Nineteen other entries had early yields similar to those of 'Celebration'.
Average fruit weight ranged from 18.9 lbs. for 'Royal Star' to 33.6 lbs. for WX-22. Soluble solids
concentration varied from 10.6% for 'Big Stripe' to 14.2% for 'Sentinel'. The incidence of
hollowheart in those fruit sampled ranged from 0 in 'Big Stripe', 'Royal Star', and 'Summer Gold'
to 100% in WX-22, Pifiata (large seed), WX-30, and 'Legacy'
Total yields (Table 3) varied from 557 cwt/acre for SWD 8307 to 958 cwt/acre for XWD 7201.
Only seven other entries had yields similar to those of XWD 7201. Average fruit weight over the
entire season ranged from 19.6 Ibs. for 'Fiesta' to 27.0 lbs for WX-22. 'Royal Star' and WX-15
average fruit weight was 26.4 lb. and a number of other entries had substantial average fruit weights.
Fruit per plant varied from 1.5 for 'Summer Gold' to 2.4 for XWD 7302 and RWM 8102. Soluble
solids concentrations ranged from 12.1% for 'Summer Gold' to 14.2% for 'Sentinel'. Seasonal
average soluble solids for all entries exceeded the 10% specified for optional use to designate very
good internal quality in the U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons (U.S. Dept. Agr., 1978). The
incidence of hollowheart in those fruit sampled varied from 19% inACX 5451 and XIT-101 to 88%
in 'Summer Gold'.
The proportion of fruit in market weight classes is shown in Table 4. 'Carnival', 'Celebration',
'Delta', 'Festival', 'Margarita', RWM 8110, XWD 7302 and XWD 7303 produced more than 50%
of their fruit in the most desirable 18-24 Ib weight class. At least 90% of the fruit produced by ACX
5451, 'Big Stripe', 'Delta', 'Royal Star', 'Royal Sweet', RWM 8102, 'Summer Flavor 820',
'Summer Gold', WX-15, WX-22, WX-30, XWD 7201, and XWD 7302 exceeded 18 Ibs. average
weight.
Summary
Watermelon variety evaluations have been conducted at this location each spring season since 1991
(Maynard; 1991-1997, Maynard and Wittman, 1998, 1999). The highest yields ranged from 439
cwt/acre in 1996 to 1026 cwt/acre in 1993. In spring 1999, the highest yield was 958 cwt/acre
which was considerably greater than the 9-year average yield of 738 cwt/acre.
Variety shape and rind patterns, based on observations in this trial, are shown in Table 1. Varieties
producing elongated or elongated/blocky fruit are generally favored in the market. Distinctively
striped melons are more attractive for the U.S. market than those with dark stripes on a very dark
green background, or those with a solid dark or medium green rind.
Based on this and previous trials, the following Allsweet and blocky Crimson Sweet type varieties
are expected to perform well in Florida: 'Celebration', 'Fiesta', 'Mardi Gras', 'Pifiata', 'Regency',
'Royal Flush', 'Royal Star', 'Royal Sweet', 'Sentinel', 'Starbrite', 'Stars-N-Stripes' and Summer
Flavor 800 and 900 series. Other varieties may perform equally well on some farms.
Note
The information contained in this report is a summary of experimental results and should not be used
as recommendations for crop production. Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended
and no endorsement is implied.
Acknowledgment
The authors appreciate the financial support for vegetable variety evaluation provided by Abbott
& Cobb, Inc.; Agrisales, Inc.; BHN Research; Florida Food Products, Inc.; Hazera Seeds, Inc.;
Harris Moran Seed Co.; Novartis Seeds Vegetables-NAFTA, Inc.; d. palmer seed co.; Paramount
Seeds, Inc.; Sakata Seed America, Inc.; Shamrock Seed Co.; Southwestern Seed Co., Sugar Creek
Seed, Inc.; Sunseeds Co.; and Willhite Seeds, Inc.
Literature Cited
Hanlon, E. A. and J. M. DeVore. 1989. IFAS extension soil testing laboratory chemical
procedures and training manual. Fla. Coop. Ext. Circ. 812.
Maynard, D. N. 1991. Standard watermelon variety evaluation. Gulf Coast Research and
Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1991-18.
4
Maynard, D. N. 1992. Standard and icebox watermelon variety evaluations, spring 1992. Gulf
Coast Research and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1992-19.
Maynard, D. N. 1993. Standard watermelon variety evaluation, spring 1993. Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1993-20.
Maynard, D. N. 1994. Standard watermelon variety evaluation, spring 1994. Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1994-22.
Maynard, D. N. 1995. Standard watermelon variety evaluation, spring 1995. Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1995-23.
Maynard, D.N. 1996. Standard watermelon variety evaluation, spring 1996. Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1996-18.
Maynard, D. N. 1997. Standard watermelon variety evaluation, spring 1997. Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1997-14.
Maynard, D. N. and A. V. Wittman. 1998. Diploid watermelon variety evaluation. Spring 1998.
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1998-09.
Maynard, D. N. and A. V. Wittman. 1999. Diploid watermelon variety evaluation. Spring 1999.
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1999-06.
U.S. Dept. Agr. 1978. U.S. standards for grades of watermelons. AMS, Washington, D.C.
Witzig, J. D. and N. L. Pugh. 2000. Florida agricultural statistics. Vegetable summary, 1998-99.
Fla. Agr. Stat. Serv., Orlando.
Diploid watermelon entries, fruit descriptions, and seed sources. Gulf Coast
Research & Education Center, Bradenton. Spring 2000.
Entry Description Source
ACX 5411
ACX 5451
Big Stripe
Carnival
Celebration
Delta
Festival
Fiesta
Legacy
Mardi Gras
Blocky. (9 x 15 1/4 inches). Light-green
stripes on a dark-green background. 'Allsweet'
type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-4.3.
Blocky. (10 x 16 1/4 inches). Light-green stripes
on a dark-green background. 'Allsweet' type.
Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-4.4.
Elongated/blocky. (10 x 15 V' inches). Narrow
medium-green stripes on light-green background.
Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-3.0.
Blocky. (9 1/4 x 14 1/4 inches). Hazy 'Crimson
Sweet' rind pattern. Rind-0.6 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.8.
Blocky. (9 3/4 x 14 3/4 inches). Dark-green rind
with light-green stripes. 'Allsweet' type. Rind-
0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-4.7.
Oblong. (9 3/4 x 14 3/4 inches). Medium-green
rind with wide dark-green stripes. Royal Sweet
type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-4.4.
Elongated. (9 x 16 1/4 inches). Narrow light-
green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-
4.0.
Elongated/blocky. (9 x 14 / inches). Indistinct
light-green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-
4.6.
Elongated/oval. (9 1/4 x 16 inches). Wide dark-
green stripes on light-green background. Open
pollinated. 'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick.
Flesh color-3.9.
Elongated. (9 x 16 3/4 inches). Indistinct light-
green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-
4.7.
Abbott & Cobb
Abbott & Cobb
Willhite
Novartis
Novartis
Petoseed
Willhite
Novartis
Willhite
Novartis
Table 1.
Entry Description Source
Margarita
Pifiata (Lg seed)
Pifiata (Sm seed)
Royal Star
Royal Sweet
RWM 8093
RWM 8102
RWM 8110
Sangria
Sentinel
Elongated. (9 x 16 1/4 inches). Indistinct light-
green stripe on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.6 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.7.
Elongated/oval. (9 x 15 1/4 inches). Wide
dark-green stripes on light-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-
4.1.
Elongated/oval. (9 3/4 x 15 1/4 inches). Wide
dark-green stripes on light-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-
3.6.
Oblong/blocky. (9 3/4 x 15 inches). Dark-green
stripes on medium-green background. 'Royal
Sweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-
4.1.
Oblong. (10 1/4 x 14 2 inches). Green
background with medium-green stripes. Rind-0.8
inch thick. Flesh color-4.4.
Blocky. (9 1/4 x 15 2 inches). Indistinct light-
green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.6 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.9.
Blocky. (9 x 15 A inches). Indistinct light-
green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.7.
Elongated/Blocky. (8 1/4 x 15 /2 inches).
Indistinct light-green stripes on dark-green
background. 'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.6 inch
thick. Flesh color-4.9.
Elongated. (9 x 16 V inches). Light-green
stripes on dark-green background. 'Allsweet'
type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-4.7.
Blocky/Oblong. (9 A x 14 1/4 inches).
Indistinct green stripes on dark-green
background. 'Royal Sweet' type. Rind-0.6 inch
thick. Flesh color-4.6.
Southwestern
Seeds
Willhite
Willhite
Petoseed
Petoseed
Novartis
Novartis
Novartis
Novartis
Petoseed
Entry Description Source
Summer Flavor 800
Summer Flavor 820
Summer Gold
SWD 8307
W5023
W5045
WX 8
WX 15
WX 22
WX30
XIT 101
Elongated/blocky. (9 1/4 x 15 inches). Dark-
green stripes on light-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.8 inch thick. Flesh color-
4.6.
Elongated. (9 1/4 x 16 3/4 inches). Dark-green
stripes on light-green background. 'Allsweet'
type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-4.1.
Oblong. (10 x 14 inches). Wide dark-green
stripe with mottled light-green stripe. Rind-0.7
inch thick. Yellow flesh.
Blocky. (10 x 15 1/4 inches). Dark-green stripes
on light-green background. Rind-0.6 inch thick.
Flesh color-4.8.
Blocky. (9 '/ x 14 3/4 inches). Indistinct light-
green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.6 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.9.
Elongated/Blocky. (9 /2 x 16 inches). Indistinct
light-green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.6 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.4.
Elongated. (9 1/4 x 16 3/4 inches). Dark-green
stripes on light-green background. 'Allsweet'
type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh color-4.8.
Blocky. (10 x 13 3/4 inches). Wide dark-
green stripes on light-green background. Rind-
0.8 inch thick. Flesh color-4.1.
Blocky. (10 x 15 inches). Green background
with medium-green stripes. Rind-0.8 inch thick.
Flesh color-3.4.
Blocky. (10 /2 x 15 inches). Green background
with medium-green stripes. Rind-0.7 inch thick.
Flesh color-4.2.
Elongated. (8 /2 x 16 /2 inches). Indistinct light-
green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.6 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.6.
Abbott & Cobb
Abbott & Cobb
Willhite
Sakata
Sunseeds
Sunseeds
Willhite
Willhite
Southwestern
Seed
Southwestern
Seed
Sugar Creek
Entry Description Source
XWD 7201 Blocky. (10 2 x 14 3/4 inches). Indistinct light- Sakata
green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.8 inch thick. Flesh color-
4.1.
XWD 7302 Elongated. (9 x 16 inches). Indistinct light- Sakata
green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.7 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.2.
XWD 7303 Elongated. (8 /2 x 15 3/4 inches). Indistinct Sakata
light-green stripes on dark-green background.
'Allsweet' type. Rind-0.6 inch thick. Flesh
color-4.4.
'Flesh color: 1 = light pink, 5 = deep red.
Table 2. Temperature and rainfall at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center during the
spring of 2000 and the 45-year average. (fawn.ifas.ufl.edu).
Mean Monthly
Maximum
Temperature ("F)
20001 45-yr avg
74 74
Month
February
March
April
May
June
Mean Monthly
Minimum
Temperature (*F)
20001 45-yr avg
51 52
59 55
58 60
66 65
69 70
Rainfall (in.)
20001 45-yr avg
0.01 2.83
2.63 3.29
0.06 1.71
1.05 3.16
0.77 7.40
'Direct seeded 22 February 2000. Last harvest 15 June 2000.
Table 3. Early and total yields, average fruit weight, fruit per plant, percentage of cull fruit, soluble solids and the incidence and severity of
hollowheart of diploid watermelons. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Bradenton. Spring 2000.
Early Harvest Total Harvest
Avg Soluble Avg Fruit Soluble
Weight Fruit Wt Solids Hollowheart Weight Fruit Wt per Cull Solids Hollowheart
Entry (cwt/A)' (Ib) (%) (%) (in.)2 (cwt/A)' (lb) Plant (%)3 (%) (%) (in.)2
XWD 7201
Big Stripe
XWD 7302
RWM 8102
W X 22
Summer Flavor 820
Royal Star
ACX 5451
WX-15
Delta
W5045
WX8
Pifiata large seed
Royal Sweet
151 c-i 4
10 hi
149 c-i
264 a-d
27 g-i
333 ab
15 g-i
284 a-d
167 c-h
296 a-c
204 a-f
335 ab
146 c-i
NH5
24.8 be
24.3 be
22.9 be
21.9 be
33.6 a
24.7 be
18.9 c
24.4 be
25.0 be
22.4 be
21.4 be
22.3 be
22.6 be
NH
12.6 ab
10.6 c
12.7 ab
12.2 be
13.6 ab
12.7 ab
13.2 ab
13.1 ab
12.7 ab
13.3 ab
13.1 ab
13.8 ab
12.1,bc
NH
50 ab
Ob
50 ab
25 ab
100 a
38 ab
Ob
25 ab
63 ab
63 ab
63 ab
88 a
100 a
NH
1.2 be
0.0 c
0.8 be
0.2 be
4.9 a
0.3 be
0.0 c
0.9 be
1.5 be
1.9 be
1.1 be
1.7 be
1.9 be
NH
958 a
907 ab
877 a-c
846 a-d
828 a-e
812 a-f
755 a-g
747 a-g
727 b-g
724 b-g
720 b-g
720 b-g
718 b-g
717 b-g
25.5 a-c
25.9 ab
23.3 c-i
23.4 b-h
27.0 a
24.9 a-e
26.4 a
26.0 ab
26.4 a
22.9 c-i
23.8 b-g
23.6 b-g
22.7 d-i
25.0 a-d
2.3 ab
2.2 a-c
2.4 a
2.4 a
1.9 a-d
2.0 a-d
1.8 a-d
1.8 a-d
1.7 b-d
2.0 a-d
2.0 a-d
1.9 a-d
2.1 a-d
1.8 a-d
7 be
9 a-c
10 a-c
6 be
8 a-c
12 a-c
12 a-c
9 a-c
14 a-c
14 a-c
15 a-c
4c
14 a-c
8 a-c
12.7 b-g
12.4 d-g
13.0 b-g
12.8 b-g
12.7 b-g
12.9 b-g
13.3 a-e
13.0 b-g
12.8 b-g
13.8 ab
13.2 a-f
13.4 a-d
12.2 e-g
13.4 a-d
44 ab 0.7 a
50 ab 0.7 a
29 b 0.4 a
38 b 0.5 a
60 ab 1.3 a
25 b 0.2 a
20 b 0.3 a
19 b 0.7 a
63 ab 1.1 a
44 ab 1.0 a
38 b 0.6 a
69 ab 1.0 a
64 ab 1.0 a
38 b 0.7 a
---
---
---'
--
---
Table 3. Continued.
Early Harvest Total Harvest
Avg Soluble Avg Fruit Soluble
Weight Fruit Wt Solids Hollowheart Weight Fruit Wt per Cull Solids Hollowheart
Entry (cwt/A)' (lb) (%) (%) (in.)2 (cwt/A)' (Ib) Plant (%)3 (%) (%) (in.)
WX30
RWM 8093
Legacy
XWD 7303
Summer Flavor 800
Pifiata small seed
Sentinel
Sangria
XIT- 101
Margarita
ACX 5411
Celebration
Mardi Gras
Fiesta
Summer Gold
50 f-i 4
223 a-e
77 e-i
241 a-d
197 a-f
128 d-i
206 a-f
193 a-f
171 b-g
289 a-d
262 a-d
341 a
271 a-d
311 a-c
9 hi
25.0 be
21.2 bc
23.4 be
20.4 be
21.1 be
25.0 b
23.0 bc
19.4 be
22.2 be
21.8 be
20.1 be
20.5 be
21.7 be
18.9 be
22.5 be
12.9 ab
12.4 ab
13.0 ab
13.7 ab
13.2 ab
13.1 ab
14.2 a
12.9 ab
12.8 ab
12.8 ab
12.5 ab
11.9 be
12.9 ab
12.8 ab
12.9 ab
100 a
75 ab
100 a
63 ab
50 ab
88 a
50 ab
25 ab
25 ab
75 ab
63 ab
50 ab
50 ab
50 ab
Ob
1.4 be
0.5 be
2.5 b
1.3 be
1.1 be
1.5 be
1.0 be
0.4 be
0.7 be
2.0 be
0.3 be
0.5 be
0.8 be
0.8 be
0.0 c
704 b-g
687 b-g
673 c-g
672 c-g
670 c-g
667 c-g
666 c-g
658 c-g
657 c-g
650 c-g
647 c-g
637 d-g
636 d-g
635 d-g
627 d-g
24.6 a-f
21.3 g-i
25.2 a-d
20.6 ij
22.7 d-i
23.0 c-i
22.9 d-i
20.8 h-j
21.2 g-j
22.7 d-i
22.3 e-i
21.6 g-i
22.3 e-i
19.6 j
25.9 ab
1.8 a-d
2.0 a-d
1.8 a-d
2.0 a-d
1.8 a-d
1.9 a-d
1.8 a-d
2.0 a-d
2.0 a-d
1.8 a-d
1.8 a-d
2.0 a-d
1.8 a-d
2.1 a-d
1.5 d
12 a-c
9 a-c
18 ab
13 a-c
13 a-c
13 a-c
12 a-c
14 a-c
19 a
9 a-c
13 a-c
15 a-c
15 a-c
12 a-c
18 ab
12.4 d-g
12.4 d-g
12.7 b-g
13.7 a-c
13.1 a-g
12.9 b-g
14.2 a
13.4 a-d
12.9 b-g
12.8 b-g
12.8 b-g
12.3 d-g
13.2 a-f
12.7 c-g
12.1 g
60 ab 0.5 a
44 ab 0.4 a
58 ab 1.3 a
50 ab 0.8 a
36 b 0.6 a
69 ab 1.2 a
38 b 0.7 a
38 b 0.3 a
19 b 0.4 a
56 ab 1.2 a
44 ab 0.2 a
44 ab 0.6a
44 ab 0.9 a
38 b 0.5 a
88 a 0.8 a
___
___
I__
___
__
___
---
---
---'
--
---
-I
---
Table 3. Continued.
Entry
W5023
Festival
RWM 8110
Carnival
SWD 8307
Weight
(cwt/A)'
196 a-f4
232 a-e
254 a-d
148 c-i
279 a-d
Early Harvest
Avg Soluble
Fruit Wt Solids
(Ib) (%)
21.7 be 13.2 ab
23.4 be 12.7 ab
20.1 be 13.7 ab
22.6 be 13.2 ab
22.5 be 12.1 be
Hollowheart
(%) (in.)2
25 ab 0.3 be
63 ab 1.8 be
75 ab 1.0 be
75 ab 1.8 be
63 ab 0.8 be
Weight
(cwt/A)'
620 d-g
617 d-g
609 e-g
584 fg
557 g
Avg
Fruit Wt
(Ib)
21.6 g-j
23.2 c-i
20.8 h-j
22.2 f-j
22.7 d-i
Total Harvest
Fruit
per Cull
Plant (%)3
1.8 a-d 12 a-c
1.7 cd 14 a-c
1.8 a-d 8 a-c
1.7 cd 12 a-c
1.7 b-d 15 a-c
Soluble
Solids
(%)
13.0 b-g
12.2 fg
12.8 b-g
13.2 a-g
12.3 d-g
Hollowheart
(%) (in.)2
38 b 0.3 a
63 ab 1.3 a
56 ab 0.6 a
50 ab 1.0 a
38 b 0.5 a
'Acre=4840 lbf.
2 Average flesh separation of those fruit sampled.
3 By weight.
4 Mean separation in column's by Duncan's multiple range test, 5% level.
SNo harvest.
Table 4. Fruit weight distribution of the total yield of diploid watermelons. Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center, Bradenton. Spring 2000.
Entry
ACX 5411
ACX 5451
Big Stripe
Carnival
Celebration
Delta
Festival
Fiesta
Legacy
Mardi Gras
Margarita
Pifiata large seed
Pifiata small seed
Royal Star
Royal Sweet
RWM 8093
RWM 8102
RWM 8110
Sangria
Sentinel
Summer Flavor 800
Summer Flavor 820
Fruit Weight (Ib)
12.0-18.0 18.1-24.0 >24.0
------------------------- Percentage of fruit------------------------
20 47 33
7 32 61
3 38 59
20 54 26
16 62 22
9 54 37
12 55 33
43 42 15
12 33 55
17 48 35
15 54 31
19 41 40
18 50 32
4 30 66
4 41 55
22 50 28
9 48 43
30 52 18
30 47 23
14 49 37
20 44 36
10 43 47
I__
------------_
__
-------------
"'
----- -----
"-
--- -- - -
STable 4. Continued.
Fruit Weight (Ib)
12.0-18.0 18.1-24.0 >24.0
------------------------- Percentage of fruit---------------------
10 28 62
27 44 29
21 54 25
12 43 45
17 43 40
4 37 59
1 34 65
7 44 49
Summer Gold
SWD 8307
W5023
W5045
WX-8
-W X 8 --
WX-15
WX-22
WX-30
XIT- 101
XWD 7201
XWD 7302
XWD 7303
Entry
---- ---- -
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
The Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
The Gulf Coast Research and Education Center is
a unit of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sci-
ences, University of Florida. The Research Center
originated in the fall of 1925 as the Tomato
Disease Laboratory with the primary objective of
developing control procedures for an epidemic out-
break of nailhead spot of tomato. Research was ex-
panded in subsequent years to include study of sev-
eral other toriato diseases.
In 1937, new research facilities were established
in the town of Manatee, and the Center scope was
enlarged to include horticultural, entomological, and
soil science studies of several vegetable crops. The
ornamental program was a natural addition to the
Center's responsibilities because of the emerging in-
dustry in the area in the early 1940's.
The Center's current location was established in
1965 where a comprehensive research and extension
program on vegetable crops and ornamental plants is
conducted. Three state extension specialists posi-
tions, 16 state research scientists, and two grant
supported scientists from various disciplines of
training participate in all phases of vegetable and
ornamental horticultural programs. This interdisci-
plinary team approach, combining several research
disciplines and a wide range of industry and faculty
contacts, often is more productive than could be ac-
complished with limited investments in independent
programs.
The Center's primary mission is to develop new
and expand existing knowledge and technology, and
to disseminate new scientific knowledge in Florida, so
that agriculture remains efficient and economically
sound.
The secondary mission of the Center is to assist
the Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS campus
departments, in which Center faculty hold appropri-
ate liaison appointments, and other research centers
in extension, educational training, and cooperative
research programs for the benefit of Florida's pro-
ducers, students, and citizens.
Program areas of emphasis include: (1) genetics,
breeding, and variety development and evaluation;
(2) biological, chemical, and mechanical pest manage-
ment in entomology, plant pathology, nematology,
bacteriology, virology, and weed science; (3) produc-
tion efficiency, culture, management, and counteract-
ing environmental stress; (4) water management and
natural resource protection; (5) post-harvest physiol-
ogy, harvesting, handling and food quality of horti-
cultural crops; (6) technical support and assistance to
the Florida Cooperative Extension Service; and (7)
advancement offundamental knowledge ofdisciplines
represented by faculty and (8) directing graduate
student training and teaching special undergraduate
classes.
Location of
GCREC Bradenton
IFAS IS:
" The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences,
University of Florida.
Q A statewide organization dedicated to teaching,
research and extension.
O Faculty located in Gainesville and at 13 research
and education centers, 67 county extension
offices and four demonstration units throughout
the state.
Q A partnership in food and agriculture, and natural
and renewable resource research and education,
funded by state, federal and local government,
and by gifts and grants from individuals, founda-
tions, government and industry.
O An organization whose mission is:
Educating students in the food, agricultural,
and related sciences and natural resources.
Strengthening Florida's diverse food and
agricultural industry and its environment
through research.
Enhancing for all Floridians, the application
of research and knowledge to improve the
quality of life statewide through IFAS exten-
sion programs.
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