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Standard watermelon variety evaluation
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Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00054252/00002
 Material Information
Title: Standard watermelon variety evaluation
Series Title: Bradenton GCREC research report
Physical Description: v. : ; 28 cm.
Language: English
Creator: Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (Bradenton, Fla.)
University of Florida -- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Publisher: University of Florida
Place of Publication: Bradenton Florida
Creation Date: 1992
Publication Date: -1997
Frequency: annual
regular
 Subjects
Subjects / Keywords: Watermelons -- Varieties -- Periodicals   ( lcsh )
Watermelons -- Field experiments -- Periodicals -- Florida   ( lcsh )
Genre: government publication (state, provincial, terriorial, dependent)   ( marcgt )
serial   ( sobekcm )
 Notes
Dates or Sequential Designation: -1997
General Note: Description based on: 1991; title from cover.
 Record Information
Source Institution: University of Florida
Rights Management: All rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier: oclc - 62705961
lccn - 2005229321
System ID: UF00054252:00002
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Table of Contents
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        Front Cover
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        Page 1
        Page 2
        Page 3
        Page 4
        Page 5
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    Center information
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Full Text
/0-9







Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center

14 I i:,, .Lnce


5007 60th St. E., Bradenton, Florida 34203-9324
' Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida









GULF COAST RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER
IFAS, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
5007 60th Street East
Bradenton, FL 34203

Bradenton GCREC Research Report BRA1992-19 October

STANDARD AND ICEBOX WATERMELON VARIETY EVALUATION
SPRING 1992

D. N. Maynard1

Standard watermelons weigh from 18 to 35 lbs and represent most of the commercial
crop grown in Florida. Icebox watermelons weigh 6 to 12 lbs each and are grown
on a small acreage. Seedless watermelons, weighing 12 to 18 lbs, also are grown
in Florida on a limited scale. Florida produced 7 million cwt of watermelons of
all types from 36,000 harvested acres in 1990-91 which provided an average yield
of 195 cwt/acre. The average price was $11.52/cwt providing a crop value
exceeding $80 million 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 and Jubilee 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, hybrids, and experimental lines of the Crimson Sweet, Jubilee, and
Allsweet standard types and three icebox types.
Materials and Methods

Soil samples from the experimental area obtained before fertilization were
analyzed by the IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (2): pH = 7.2 and Mehlich
I extractable P = 101, K = 15, Mg = 126, Ca = 938, Zn = 10.8, Cu = 4.4, and Mn
= 3.9 ppm.
The EauGallie fine sand was prepared in early February 1991 by incorporation of
0-1.2-0 lb N-P20O-K20 per 100 linear bed feet (Ibf). Beds were formed and
fumigated with 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 Ib
N-P205-K20/00 Ibf after the beds were pressed and before the black polyethylene
mulch was applied. The total fertilizer applied was equivalent to 102-58-140 lb
N-P 0 -K20/acre. The final beds were 32 in. wide and 8 in. high and were spaced
on 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 being evaluated in the two center beds of each land.

'Professor of Horticultural Sciences and Extension Vegetable Specialist.









Twenty standard watermelon entries and three icebox watermelon entries (Table 1)
were direct-seeded on 27 February in holes punched in the polyethylene at 3 ft
in-row spacing for standard entries and 2 ft in-row spacing for icebox entries.
The 24 ft long plots had 8 plants and were replicated three 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) and gummy stem
blight (chlorothalonil and metaxyl-chlorothalonil).

The watermelons were harvested on 2, 12 and 18 June. Marketable melons (U.S. No.
1 or better) according to U.S. Standards for Grades (5) were separated from culls
and counted and weighed individually. Soluble solids determinations were made
with a hand-held refractometer on six fruit of each entry at each harvest, 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 27
February to 18 June were very similar to the 1954-1991 averages (4).

Early yields ranged from 22 cwt/acre-for 'Summer Flavor 200' to 304 cwt/acre for
CLF 1041 (Table 3). Fifteen other entries had early yields similar to those of
'Summer Flavor 200' and three other entries had early yields similar to those of
CLF 1041. Average fruit weights for the early harvest ranged from 8 Ibs for CLF
1029 to 23.4 Ibs for 'Oasis', however, these differences were not significant.
CLF 1041 had a high incidence and severity of hollowheart and 'Paradise',
'Sultan', and 'Crimson Tide' had a high incidence of the disorder in the early-
harvested fruit.

Total yields (Table 3) ranged from 239 cwt/acre for 'Crimson Tide' to 609
cwt/acre for CLF 1030. Fifteen other entries had yields similar to those of
'Crimson Tide' and CLF 1030. Average fruit weight varied from 9.0 Ibs for CLF
1029 to 22.4 Ibs for 'Royal Sweet'. Only one other entry had an average weight
similar to CLF 1029, whereas ten other entries had average fruit weight similar
to 'Royal Sweet'. Soluble solids ranged from 11.2% for 'Royal Sweet' and 'Summer
Flavor 400'to 12.9% for 'Summer Flavor 710'. Fourteen other entries had soluble
solids concentrations similar to 'Royal Sweet' and 'Summer Flavor 400', and
sixteen entries were similar to 'Summer Flavor 710'. Soluble solids
concentration in all entries exceeded the 10% specified for optional use in the
U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons (5). CLF 1030, WM5010, 'Summer Flavor
400', 'Summer Flavor 610' and 'Summer Flavor 700' were free of hollowheart,
whereas 'Crimson Sweet', CLF 1041, 'Summer Flavor 710', and 'Oasis' had a high
incidence and severity of hollowheart. The reason for the abnormally high
incidence and severity of hollowheart this season is not known, however,
commercial watermelon growers in the area also had a severe hollowheart problem
in the Spring 1992 season.

There were few differences in performance of the three icebox watermelon entries
(Table 3). Yields, average fruit weight, and soluble solids were quite
acceptable for this fruit type. On the other hand, the incidence and severity
of hollowheart were higher than usually observed in icebox-type melons.








The distribution of watermelon fruit weights into various size classes is shown
in Table 4. 'Sultan', 'Crimson Sweet', 'Oasis', 'Summer Flavor 400', and 'Royal
Sweet' produced the highest proportion of fruit exceeding 25.1 Ibs in weight.
A very high proportion of CLF 1029, CLF 1030, and CLF 1041 fruit were less than
15 Ibs. Based on average fruit weight and distribution, it appears that CLF 1029
should be classed as an icebox watermelon.

Although there were no differences in fruit weight distribution of the icebox
watermelons (Table 5), all entries had a very high proportion of their fruit in
the desirable 6 to 12 lb weight range.

Yields of standard watermelons were somewhat greater than those obtained at this
location in the spring 1991 season (3) when severe gummy stem blight restricted
yields. However, yields were not as high as expected in spring 1992 because of
vine decline from an undetermined cause. Nonetheless, soluble solids were
uniformly high.
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.
Literature Cited

1. Freie, R. L. and H. V. Young. 1991. Florida Agricultural Statistics.
Vegetable Summary. Florida Agricultual Statistics Service, Orlando.
2. Hanlon, E. A. and J. M. DeVore. 1989. IFAS Extension Soil Testing
Laboratory Chemical Procedures and Training Manual. Fla. Coop. Ext. Circ.
812.

3. Maynard, D. N. 1991. Standard watermelon variety evaluation. GCREC Res.
Rept. BRA1991-18.

4. Stanley, C. D. 1992. Temperature and rainfall report for 1991. GCREC
Res. Rept. BRA1992-2.

5. U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons. 1978. U.S.D.A., AMS,
Washington, D.C.









Table 1. Standard and icebox watermelon varieties, fruit descriptions, and
seed sources. Spring 1992.


Entry Description Source


Standard

CLF 1029


CLF 1030


CLF 1041


Crimson Sweet


Crimson Tide


Fiesta


NVH 4317


Oval. Dark-green, narrow stripes on
light-green background.

Blocky elongated. Dark-green fine
lines on light-green background.


Round,
stripes

Oval.
stripes

Oval.
stripes
Crimson


oval. Dark-green narrow
on light-green background.

Distinct broken dark-green
on light-green background.

Distinct broken dark-green
on light-green background.
Sweet type. Hybrid.


Elongated. Indistinct
stripes on dark-green
Allsweet type. Hybrid.


Elongated.
light-green
type.


Dark-green
background.


light-green
background.


stripe on
Jubilee


CFREC-Leesburg


CFREC-Leesburg


CFREC-Leesburg


Petoseed


Rogers NK


Rogers NK


Rogers NK


Oasis


Paradise


Royal Sweet


Sangria


Starbrite


Sultan


Oval. Narrow dark-green stripes on
light-green background. Hybrid.

Oval. Narrow dark-green stripes on
light-green background. Hybrid.

Oblong. Wide dark-green stripes on
light-green background. Hybrid.

Elongated. Light-green stripes on
dark-green background. Allsweet
type. Hybrid.

Oblong. Distinct dark-green stripes
on light-green background. Royal
Sweet type. Hybrid.


Blocky, oval.
on light-green


Medium-green stripes
background. Hybrid.


Harris Moran


Harris Moran


Petoseed


Rogers NK


Asgrow


Harris Moran








Table 1 (continued).


Entry Description Source


Summer Flavor 200



Summer Flavor 400


Summer Flavor 410


Summer Flavor 610


Summer Flavor 700


Summer Flavor 710


Blocky, round. Very wide,
dark-green stripes on
background. Hybrid.


Blocky,
stripes
Hybrid.

Blocky,
stripes
Hybrid.


oblong. Wide,
on light-green


indistinct,
light-green


dark-green
background.


oblong. Wide dark-green
on light-green background.


Oblong. Wide dark-green stripes on
light-green background. Hybrid.


Blocky,
stripes
Hybrid.

Blocky,
stripes
Hybrid.


oblong. Narrow dark-green
on light-green background.


oblong. Narrow dark-green
on light-green background.


Abbott & Cobb



Abbott & Cobb


Abbott & Cobb


Abbott & Cobb


Abbott & Cobb


Abbott & Cobb


Oval. Wide
light-green
Sweet type.


dark-green
background.
Hybrid.


stripes on
Crimson


Line 3050


Mickylee

Tiger Baby


Oval. Wide dark-green
light-green background.


Oval, round. Gr
dark-green lines.


stripe on


*ay background with


Oval. Distinct dark-green stripes on
light-green background. Hybrid.


WM 5010


Icebox


Rogers NK


Rogers NK


Petoseed

Petoseed











Table 2. Mean temperature and rainfall at the Gulf Coast Research &
Education Center from 27 February to 18 June 1992 and 1954-
1991 monthly averages (4).

Average daily temperature (oF)
1992 1954-91 average Rainfall (in.)
Month (date) Max. Min. Max. Min. 1992 1954-91 average

February (27-29) 73 54 73 51 0 3.11
March 78 56 77 55 4.05 3.38
April 81 61 81 59 2.93 1.65
May 86 62 87 65 0.15 3.24
June (1-18) 90 72 89 70 4.90 7.58

11992 data are for the dates shown; 1954-91 averages are for the entire month.







Table 3. Early and total yield, average fruit weight, soluble solids and the incidence and severity of
hollowheart of standard and icebox watermelons. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.
Spring 1992.


Early harvest Total harvest
Holloy- Hollow-
Avg. Hollow- heart Avg. Soluble Hollow- heart2
Weight fruit heart avg. Weight fruit solids heart avg,
Entry (cwt/A)' wt (lbs) (%) (in.) (cwt/A)' wt (Ibs) %) (%) (in.)


Standard


CLF 1030
WM 5010
Starbrite
Crimson Sweet
Fiesta


217
36
31
41
205


14.6
17.6
23.3
20.5
17.5


609
603
585
556
531


13.3
20.0
20.0
21.1
15.6


gh
a-d
a-d
ab
e-g


11.9
11.4
11.6
11.8
12.0


a-d
b-d
a-d
a-d
a-d


d
d
b-d
a-c
cd


0
0
0.08
0.98
0.01


Sangria 209 ab 18.0 a 0 b 0 b 528 a-c 16.8 c-g 11.7 a-d 11 cd 0.09 c


Summer Flavor
700
Royal Sweet
Summer Flavor
610
CLF 1041


Summer Flavor
710
Summer Flavor
410
Summer Flavor
200
Summer Flavor
400
Oasis


20.0 a
20.2 a


Ob
17 b


19.1 a O b
13.4 a 67 a


20.4 a 17 b


24.4 a

16.2 a


Ob

Ob


20.4 a O b
23.4 a 17 b


Ob
0.01 b

Ob
1.14 a


0.16 b

Ob

Ob

Ob
0.30 b


528 a-c 19.9 a-d 11.5 a-d 0 d
520 a-c 22.4 a 11.2 cd 26 a-c

482 a-c 17.8 b-f 11.6 a-d 0 d
475 a-c 11.9 hi 12.3 a-d 42 a


461 a-c 18.6 a-f 12.9 a


36 ab


0 c
0.34 bc

Oc
1.02 ab


1.28 a


448 a-c 19.2 a-e 11.8 a-d 14 b-d 0.09 c

440 a-c 16.1 d-g 11.6 a-d 8 cd 0.01 c

421 a-c 22.1 a 11.2 d 0 d 0 c
365 a-c 20.2 a-c 12.2 a'-d 28 a-c 0.54 a-c


54 c
53 c

106 bc
304 a


83 bc

33 c

22 c

50 c
149 bc








Table 3 (continued).


Early harvest Total harvest
Holloy- Hollow-
Avg. Hollow- heart Avg. Soluble Hollow- heart2
Weight fruit heart avg. Weight fruit solids heart avg,
Entry (cwt/A) wt (lbs) (%) (in.) (cwt/A)1 wt (lbs) (%) (%) (in.)

Paradise 83 bc 15.7 a 33 ab 0.04 b 318 a-c 15.3 f-h 12.8 ab 19 a-d 0.12 c
NVH 4317 82 bc 23.2 a 0 b 0 b 317 bc 19.2 a-e 12.0 a-d 11 cd 0.54 a-c
CLF 1029 44 c 8.0 a 0 b 0 b 294 bc 9.0 i 12.7 ab 18 b-d 0.96 ab
Sultan 95 bc 22.7 a 33 ab 0.20 b 281 bc 21.5 ab 12.6 a-c 11 cd 0.20 bc
Crimson Tide 117 bc 16.7 a 33 ab 0.09 b 239 c 16.8 c-g 11.8 a-d 28 a-c 0.21 bc
Icebox

Line 3050 116 ab 9.4 a 40 a 0.7 a 493 a 9.6 a 12.1 a 32 a 1.2 a
Mickylee 272 a 8.7 a 33 a 1.4 a 482 a 8.6 ab 12.0 a 23 a 1.3 a
Tiger Baby 7 b 6.9 a 0 a 0 a 388 a 8.3 b 12.4 a 7 a 0.1 a

2Acre = 4840 Ibf.
2Average width of fruit cracks of fruit with hollowheart.
Mean separation in columns within standard and icebox entries by Duncan's multiple range test, 5% level.








Table 4. Fruit weight distribution of the total yield of standard
watermelons. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Spring
1992.

Fruit weight (Ibs)
<15 15.1-20 20.1-25 25.1-30 >30
Entry Percentage of fruit


CLF 1029
CLF 1030
CLF 1041
Crimson Sweet
Crimson Tide

Fiesta
NVH 4317
Oasis
Paradise
Royal Sweet


99 a'
69 a-c
79 ab
11 e
40 c-e

52 b-d
23 de
20 de
52 b-d
4e


Sangria 32 de
Starbrite 7 e
Sultan 17 de
Summer Flavor 200 35 c-e
Summer Flavor 400 14 de

Summer Flavor 410 16 de
Summer Flavor 610 30 de
Summer Flavor 700 17 de
Summer Flavor 710 18 de
WM 5010 17 de


1b Oe Od Ob
22 ab 6 de 2 cd 0 b
20 ab 2 e 0 d 0 b
28 ab 38 ab 23 ab 0 b
43 a 10 de 7 b-d 0 b

42 a 4 e 2 cd O b
48 a 16 b-e 6 b-d 7 b
36 ab 21 a-e 18 a-c 6 b
41 a 7 de 0 d 0 b
33 ab 40 a 14 a-d 10 ab


45 a 21 a-c 2 cd 0 b
45 a 40 a 6 b-d 2 b
20 ab 34 a-c 29 a 0 b
50 a 12 c-e 4 cd 0 b
26 ab 34 a-c 9 b-d 17 a

52 a 21 a-e 12 b-d 0 b
47 a 19 a-e 4 cd O b
44 a 27 a-d 10 b-d 2 b
46 a 33 a-c 2 cd 0 b
36 ab 33 a-c 9 b-d 4 b


'Mean separation in columns by Duncan's multiple range test, 5% level.




Table 5. Fruit weight distribution of icebox watermelon. Gulf Coast Research
and Education Center. Spring 1992.


Fruit weight (Ibs)
< 6 6.1-12.0 12.1-18.0
Entry Percentage of fruit
Line'3050 2 a' 85 a 14 a
Mickylee 15 a 78 a 7 a
Tiger Baby 14 a 80 a 6 a


'Mean separation in columns by Duncan's multiple range test, 5% level.








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:
IJ 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.
U 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.
I 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.