![]() ![]() |
![]() |
|
UFDC Home |
myUFDC Home | Help | ![]() |
Front Cover | |
Main | |
Center information |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Full Citation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Table of Contents | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Front Cover
Front Cover Main Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Center information Page 8 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Full Text | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
&c:S Gulf Coast Research and Education Center 5007 60th St. E., Bradenton, Florida 34203-9324 B Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida 21 i\ Scince I. "*' 0" GULF COAST RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER IFAS, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 5007 60th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 Bradenton GCREC Research Report BRA1991-18 October STANDARD WATERMELON VARIETY EVALUATION SPRING 1991 D. N. Maynard1 Standard watermelons weigh from 18 to 35 lbs and represent most of the commercial crop grown in Florida. Icebox and seedless watermelons also are grown in Florida. Florida produced 9 million cwt of watermelons from 45,000 harvested acres in 1989-90 which provided an average yield of 200 cwt/acre. The average price was $7.15/cwt providing a crop value of $64,350,000 which accounted for 4.9% of the gross returns to the state's vegetable growers (1). Until recently, the Florida crop was about equally divided among open pollinated and hybrids of the Crimson Sweet, Charleston Gray, and Jubilee types. A noticeable decline in Charleston Gray production has been replaced largely by increased acreage of Allsweet and blocky Crimson Sweet types. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate some of the recently introduced varieties and hybrids and experimental lines of the Crimson Sweet, Jubilee, and Allsweet types. MATERIALS AND METHODS Soil samples from the experimental area obtained before fertilization were analyzed by the IFAS Extension Soil Laboratory (2): pH 7.6 and Mehlich I extractable P = 30, K = 22, Mg = 90, Ca = 972, Zn = 4.1, Cu = 0.6, and Mn = 1.1 ppm. The EauGallie fine sand was prepared in early February 1991 by incorporation of 0-1.2-0 lb N-PO0-KO per 100 linear bed feet (Ibf). Beds were formed and fumigated with TerroGas 67 (methylbromide:chloropicrin 67:33) at 2.3 lb/100 Ibf. Banded fertilizer was applied in shallow grooves on the bed shoulders at 2.1-0- 2.9 lb N-P205-K 0/100 Ibf after the beds were pressed and before the black polyethylene muTch was applied. The total fertilizer applied was equivalent to 102-58-140 lb N-P,05-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 standard and icebox watermelons were planted in rows adjacent to the ditches to serve as pollenizers for seedless watermelons that were planted in the two center beds of each land. 'Professor of Vegetable Crops and Vegetable Extension Specialist. Sixteen standard watermelon lines (Table 1) were direct-seeded on 21 February in holes punched in the polyethylene at 3 ft in-row spacing. The 24 ft long plots had 8 plants and were replicated four times in a randomized, complete block design. Weed control in row middles was by cultivation and applications of paraquat. Pesticides were applied as needed for control of sweetpotato whitefly endosulfann and esfenvalerate), aphids endosulfann and dimethoate), rindworms (Bacillus thuringiensis), and gummy stem blight (chlorothalonil and metaxyl- chlorothalonil). The watermelons were harvested on 15 and 24 May. Marketable melons (U.S. No. 1 or better) according to U.S. Standards for Grades (4) were separated from culls and counted and weighed individually. Soluble solids determinations were made with a hand-held refractometer on 13 to 16 fruit of each entry over two harvests, and the incidence of hollowheart was recorded for these fruits. The resulting data were subjected to analysis of variance and mean separation was by Duncan's multiple range test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Temperature and rainfall (Table 2) during the experimental period from 21 February to 21 May deviated from the 35-year averages (3) at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Temperatures in March, April, and May were above normal and rainfall in April and May was considerably above normal. Higher than normal rainfall and the frequency of rainfall made disease management difficult, particularly for gummy stem blight. Early yields (Table 3), represented by the first of two harvests, ranged from 56 cwt/A for 'Royal Jubilee' to 480 cwt/A for 'Fiesta'. The early yield of 'Crimson Tide' was similar to that of 'Fiesta' whereas 'Mirage', 'Jubilation', 'Jubilee II', and S90CW produced early yields that were similar to those of 'Royal Jubilee'. Average fruit weight at first harvest ranged from 11.6 lb for S90CW to 24.6 lb for 'Jubilee II'. 'Royal Jubilee' and 'Jubilation' also had high average fruit weight. The average fruit weight of all other entries was similar to that of 'Jubilee II'. The proportion of fruit with hollowheart varied from 0 in 'Sangria' to 100% in 'Royal Jubilee'. The incidence of hollowheart was relatively high in the first harvest for most entries. Some of the cell separations were severe enough to adversely affect marketability and consumer acceptance. Total marketable yields (Table 3) ranged from 316 cwt/A for 'Jubilation' to 559 cwt/A for 'Fiesta.' Seven other entries had total yields similar to those of 'Fiesta', whereas 14 had total yields similar to those of 'Jubilation'. Average fruit weight varied from 10.7 lb for S90CW to 21.8 lb for 'Jubilee II'. The average fruit weight of all other entries was intermediate to these extremes. Soluble solids ranged from 10% for NVH 4200 to 12% for S90CW. Seven other entries had soluble solids concentrations similar to those of S90CW, whereas six other entries were similar to NVH 4200 in soluble solids concentration. Soluble solids in all entries met or exceeded the 10% specified for optional use in the U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons (4). The incidence of hollowheart for the entire crop varied from 0 in 'Sangria' to 63% in 'Royal Majesty'. Seven other entries had hollowheart frequency similar to that of 'Sangria', whereas ten other entries had hollowheart frequencies similar to those of 'Royal Majesty'. The distribution of watermelon fruit weights into various size classes is shown in Table 4. 'Jubilee II' produced the highest proportion of fruit exceeding 25.1 lb in weight and 'Jubilation' produced the highest proportion of fruit between 20.1 and 25 lb in weight. About 50% of the fruit produced by 'Early Jubilee', 'Regency', 'Royal Majesty' and 'Crimson Tide' were less than 15 lb in weight, whereas 97% of the fruit of S90CW was less than 15 lb in weight. S90CW quite possibly should have been entered in the icebox trial. However, average fruit weight and yield were less than expected and less than the potential of all entries because of early vine decline. 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. REFERENCES 1. Freie, R. L. and H. Vegetable Summary. V. Young. 1991. Florida Agricultual Florida Agricultural Statistics. Statistics Service, Orlando. 2. Hanlon, E. A. and J. M. DeVore. 1989. Laboratory Chemical Procedures and Training 812. 3. Stanley, C. Res. Rept. IFAS Extension Soil Testing Manual. Fla. Coop. Ext. Circ. D. 1990. Temperature and rainfall report for 1989. GCREC BRA1990-5. 4. U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelon. 1978. U.S.D.A. Table 1. Standard watermelon varieties, fruit descriptions, and seed sources. Variety Description Source Crimson Tide Oval. Distinct broken dark green stripes on light-green background. Crimson Sweet type. Hybrid. Early Jubilee Elongated. stripes background. Hybrid. Distinct dark-green on light-green Early Jubilee type. Fiesta Hybrid 1152 Jubilation Elongated. Indistinct light-green stripes on dark-green background. Allsweet type. Hybrid. Elongated. Distinct light-green stripes on dark-green background. Hybrid. Blocky-elongated. Distinct dark- green stripes on light-green background. Jubilee type. Hybrid. Jubilee II Elongated. stripes background. pollinated. Distinct dark-green on light-green Jubilee type. Open- Oblong. Distinct broken dark- green stripes on light-green background. Crimson Sweet type. Hybrid. Oval. Distinct dark-green stripes on light-green background. Crimson Sweet type. Hybrid. Oblong. Distinct stripes on background. Royal Hybrid. medium-green light-green Sweet type. Royal Jubilee Elongated. stripes background. Distinct dark-green on light-green Jubilee type. Hybrid. Rogers NK Petoseed Rogers NK Rogers NK Rogers NK Mirage LS Asgrow NVH 4200 Regency Asgrow Rogers NK Petoseed Petoseed Table 1 (continued). Variety Description Source Royal Majesty Oblong. Distinct medium-green Petoseed stripes on light-green background. Allsweet type. Hybrid. Royal Star Oblong. Wide dark-green stripes Petoseed on light-green background. Royal Sweet type. Hybrid. Royal Sweet Oblong. Wide dark-green stripes Petoseed on light-green background. Hybrid. Sangria Elongated. Light-green stripes on Rogers NK dark-green background. Allsweet type. Hybrid. Starbrite Oblong. Distinct dark-green Asgrow stripes on light-green background. Royal Sweet type. Hybrid. S90CW Oval. Distinct dark-green stripes CFREC on light-green background. Crimson Sweet type. Open- pollinated. Table 2. Mean temperature and rainfall at the Gulf Coast Research & Education Center from 21 February to 24 May 1991 and 35-year monthly averages. Average daily temperature (OF) 1991 35-yr average Rainfall (in.) Month (date)' Max. Min. Max. Min. 1991 35-yr averages February (21-28) 77 56 73 51 0.55 3.13 March 79 57 77 55 3.96 3.43 April 85 63 82 60 5.31 1.56 May (1-24) 89 69 87 64 7.97 3.10 11991 data are for the dates shown; 35-year averages are for the entire month. Table 3. Standard watermelon yields, average fruit weight, soluble solids and hollowheart. Gulf Coast Research & Education Center. Spring 1991. Early harvest' Total harvest Avg. Hollo Avg. Soluble Hollow- Weight fruit heart Weight fruit solids heart3 Entry (cwt/A)2 wt (Ib) (%) (cwt/A) wt (Ib) (%) (%) Fiesta 480 a4 16.8 ab 38 b-e 559 a 16.3 bc 10.5 cd 25 b-e Crimson Tide 408 ab 16.5 ab 13 de 527 ab 15.5 c 10.8 b-d 13 de Royal Sweet 299 bc 18.0 ab 38 b-e 436 a-c 17.0 bc 11.3 a-c 30 a-e Regency 261 bc 17.1 ab 25 c-e 430 a-c 15.3 c 10.7 b-d 30 a-e Hyb. 1152 278 bc 19.7 ab 25 c-e 420 a-c 16.3 bc 10.6 b-d 17 c-e Mirage 165 cd 19.0 ab 75 ab 413 a-c 16.8 bc 11.2 a-c 48 a-c Starbrite 220 c 19.3 ab 63 a-c 403 a-c 17.2 bc 11.6 ab 50 a-c Royal Star 269 bc 22.3 a 50 b-d 399 a-c 18.6 b 11.1 a-c 38 a-d NVH 4200 304 bc 17.4 ab 25 c-e 392 bc 16.2 bc 10.0 d 19 c-e Royal Majesty 282 bc 16.3 ab 75 ab 380 bc 15.1 c 11.5 a-c 63 a Sangria 291 bc 17.3 ab 0 e 356 c 16.1 bc 10.9 b-d 0 e Early Jubilee 247 c 18.4 ab 50 b-d 346 c 16.7 bc 11.5 a-c 40 a-d Jubilee II 174 cd 24.6 a 25 c-e 338 c 21.8 a 10.8 b-d 31 a-e S90CW 176 cd 11.6 b 38 b-e 335 c 10.7 d 12.0 a 35 a-d Royal Jubilee 56 d 22.4 a 100 a 318 c 18.2 bc 11.2 a-c 50 a-c Jubilation 167 cd 20.4 a 75 ab 316 c 18.1 bc 11.1 a-c 54 ab 'Early yield is the first of two harvests. Acre is equivalent to 4840 Ibf. All cell separations included. 4Mean separation in column by Duncan's multiple range test. Table 4. Fruit weight distribution of the total yield of standard watermelons. Gulf Coast Research & Education Center. Spring 1991. Fruit weight, lb <10 10.1-15 15.1-20 20.1-25 25.1< Entry Percentage of fruit Jubilation 3 b1 30 a-c 17 de 60 a 0 c Jubilee II 0 b 7 c 16 de 40 b 38 a Hyb. 1152 7 b 39 ab 26 b-e 28 bc 0 c Royal Star 5 b 36 ab 22 c-e 25 bc 13 b Royal Sweet 2 b 32 a-c 43 a-c 24 bc 0 c Starbrite 5 b 27 bc 41 a-d 23 bc 5 bc Mirage 6 b 38 ab 30 a-d 21 bc 6 bc Early Jubilee 2 b 46 ab 34 a-d 16 cd 3 bc Royal Jubilee 2 b 23 bc 53 a 16 cd 7 bc Sangria 7 b 33 a-c 41 a-d 15 cd 4 bc NVH 4200 3 b 32 a-c 52 ab 14 cd 0 c Regency 6 b 47 ab 33 a-d 12 cd 2 bc Royal Majesty 9 b 40 ab 39 a-d. 12 cd 0 c Fiesta 2 b 42 ab 44 a-c 12 cd 2 c Crimson Tide 7 b 42 ab 41 a-d 10 cd 1 c S90CW 40 a 57 b 3 e 0 d 0 c 'Mean separation in columns by Duncan's multiple range test. 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 tomato 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. " Faculty located in Gainesville and at 13 research and education centers, 67 county extension offices and four demonstration units throughout the state. 1 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. |