![]() ![]() |
![]() |
|
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 Page 8 Page 9 Center information Page 10 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Full Text | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
q'-. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center 5007 60th St. E., Bradenton, FL 34203 Bradenton GCREC Research Report BRA-1994-22 (December 1994) SMarston Science Library APR 201995 STANDARD WATERMELON VARIETY EVALUATION SPRING 1994 uity o lorida D. N. NAv~vMw GCREC Research Report BRA1994-22 STANDARD WATERMELON VARIETY EVALUATION SPRING 1994 D. N. Maynard1 Gulf Coast Research and Education Center University of Florida, IFAS 5007 60th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 Standard watermelons weigh from 18 to 35 Ibs and represent most of the commercial crop grown in Florida. Icebox watermelons weigh 6 to 12 Ibs each and are grown on a small acreage. Seedless watermelons, weighing 12 to 18 Ibs, also are grown in Florida on a limited scale. Florida produced 8.3 million cwt of watermelons of all types from 37,000 harvested acres in 1992-93 which provided an average yield of 225 cwt/acre. The average price was $8.00/cwt providing a crop value exceeding $66 million which accounted for 3.9% of the gross returns to the state's vegetable growers (Freie and Pugh, 1994). Until recently, the Florida crop was about equally divided among open pollinated and hybrid varieties of Crimson Sweet, Charleston Gray, and Jubilee types. A noticeable decline in Charleston Gray and Jubilee production has been replaced largely by increases in production of Allsweet and blocky Crimson Sweet types. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate some of the recently introduced commercial and experimental hybrids of the 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 = 7.6 and Mehlich I extractable P = 92, K = 25, Mg = 131, Ca = 944, Zn = 7.3, Cu = 4.6, and Mn = 7.1 ppm. The EauGallie fine sand was prepared in early February by incorporation of 0-1.2- 0 lb N-PO0-K20 per 100 linear bed feet (Ibf). Beds were formed and fumigated with methyl bromide:chloropicrin, 67:33 at 2.3 lb/100 lbf. Banded fertilizer was applied in shallow grooves on the bed shoulders at 2.7-0-3.8 lb N-P Os-K 0/100 Ibf after the beds were pressed and before application of the black polyethylene mulch. The total fertilizer applied was equivalent to 130-60-182 lb N-P205- K,0/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 watermelons were planted in rows adjacent to the ditches and also served as pollenizers for seedless watermelons that were being evaluated in the two center beds of each land. The watermelons were direct-seeded on 15 February in holes punched in the polyethylene mulch at 3 ft in-row spacing. Seventeen entries (Table 1) were included in the replicated trial. The 21 ft long plots had seven plants each and 'Professor of Horticultural Sciences and Extension Vegetable Specialist. December 1994 were replicated three times in a randomized complete-block design. Another ten entries (Table 1) were included in eight single-plant observational plots. Weed control in row middles was by cultivation and applications of paraquat. Pesticides were applied as needed for control of silverleaf whitefly endosulfann and esfenvalerate) and gummy stem blight (chlorothalonil and metaxyl- chlorothalonil). Watermelons were harvested 16 May, 26 May and 9 June. Marketable fruit (U.S. No. 1 or better) according to U.S. Standards for Grades (1978) 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 during the experimental period was higher than normal and rainfall was less than normal which provided excellent watermelon growing conditions (Table 2). Early yields (first harvest) in the replicated trial (Table 3) varied from 90 cwt/acre for 'Regency' to 336 cwt/acre for 'Sangria'. Average fruit weight ranged from 17.6 lb for XPH 6190 to 29.1 lb for 'Summer Flavor 520'. Soluble solids varied from 11.8% for 'Starbrite' to 14.1% for 'Sultan'. Soluble solids for early harvested fruit of all entries exceeded the 10% specified for optional use to designate very good internal quality in the U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons (1978). The proportion of sampled fruit with hollowheart varied from 0 for ASM 6564, 'Starbrite', 'Fiesta', and 'Sangria' to 100% for 'Royal Star'. The severity (average width of fruit cracks) of hollowheart ranged from 0 to 3.3 in. for the aforementioned entries. Total yields in the replicated trial (Table 3) ranged from 390 cwt/acre for 'Regency' to 551 cwt/acre for ASM 6564 but there were no statistical differences among the entries. Average fruit weight varied from 17.6 lb for XPH 6190 to 25.2 lb for 'Starbrite'. Soluble solids of fruit for the entire season were uniformly high ranging from 11.2% for RXW 105 to 13.0% for 'Sultan'. The incidence and severity of hollowheart was less for the total harvest than for the early harvest. Nonetheless, 51% of the 'Royal Star' fruit that were sampled had hollowheart and the average crack width was 1.5 in. The performance of experimental lines in the observational trial is shown in Table 4. The proportion of fruit in various size classes for each of the replicated and observational entries is shown in Table 5. More than 70% of the fruit of 'Regency', 'Royal Star' and 'Starbrite' exceeded 18.1 lb average weight. Watermelon yields were similar to those obtained at this location in 1991 (Maynard, 1991) and 1992 (Maynard, 1992) but not as high as those obtained in 1993 (Maynard, 1993). Based on results of this and previous trials, the following Allsweet type and blocky Crimson Sweet type varieties are expected to perform well in Florida: 'Fiesta', 'Royal Sweet', 'Sangria' and 'Starbrite'. 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 Freie, R. L. and N. L. Pugh. 1994. Florida Agricultural Statistics. Vegetable Summary, 1992-93. Florida Agricultual Statistics Service, Orlando. 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. 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. Stanley, C. D. 1994. Weather report for 1993. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center Res. Rept. BRA1994-08. U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons. 1978. U.S.D.A., AMS, Washington, D.C. Table 1. Standard hybrid watermelon entries, fruit descriptions, and seed sources. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Spring 1994. Entry Description Source All Sweet ASM 6564 Fiesta Regency Royal Majesty Royal Star Royal Sweet RXW 118 RXW 119 RXW 121 Sangria SWM 2301 SWM 3211 Elongated. Indistinct stripes on dark-green light-green background. Elongated, blocky, Medium green. Elongated. Indistinct light-green stripes on dark-green background. Allsweet type. Oblong. Indistinct, dark-green stripe on a light-green back- ground. Elongated. Narrow, light-green stripes on very dark-green background. Allsweet type. Oblong, stripes ground. blocky. Dark-green on light-green back- Oblong. Wide, dark-green stripes on light-green background. Oblong. Wide, dark-green stripes on light-green background. Oval. Wide, dark-green stripes on very light-green background. Elongated. Indistinct light- green stripes on dark-green background. Allsweet type. Elongated. Light-green stripes on dark-green background. All- sweet type. Oblong, blocky. Dark-green stripes on light-green background. Allsweet type. Round/oval. Indistinct wide, dark-green stripes on medium- green background. Petoseed American Sunmelon Rogers Petoseed Petoseed Petoseed Petoseed Rogers Rogers Rogers Rogers Sakata Sakata Table 1 (continued). Entry Description Source StarBrite Oblong. stripes ground. Blocky, stripes, Sultan Summer Flavor 420 Summer Flavor 520 W0008 W0012 W0013 W0053 XPH 6144 XPH 6188 XPH 6189 XPH 6190 XPH 6250 Distinct dark-green on light-green back- Royal Sweet type. oval. Medium-green light-green background. Oblong. Wide, dark-green stripes on light-green background. Elongated/blocky. Indistinct light-green stripes on dark-green background. Allsweet type. Elongated. Narrow dark-green stripes on light-green background. Jubilee type. Oval. Wide, dark-green stripes on very light-green background. Round/oval. Indistinct, wide, dark-green stripes on medium green background. Oblong. Wide dark-green stripes on light-green background. Elongated. Indistinct, light- green stripes on dark-green background. Allsweet type. Elongated. Very narrow, light- green stripe on dark-green background. Allsweet type. Elongated. Narrow, light-green stripe on dark-green background. Allsweet type. Elongated. Narrow, light-green stripes on very dark-green background. Allsweet type. Round/oval. Indistinct, wide, dark-green stripes on medium- green background. Asgrow Harris Moran Abbott & Cobb Abbott & Cobb CFREC-Leesburg CFREC-Leesburg CFREC-Leesburg CFREC-Leesburg Asgrow Asgrow Asgrow Asgrow Asgrow 6 Table 2. Temperature and rainfall at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center from 15 February to 9 June 1994 and 40-year monthly averages (Stanley, 1994). Average daily temperature (F) 1994 40-yr average Rainfall (in.) Month' High Low High Low 1994 40-yr average February (15-28) 78 60 74 52 0.48 3.08 March 80 58 77 55 2.80 3.35 April 86 64 82 60 2.57 1.72 May 89 67 87 64 0.20 3.20 June (1-9) 89 67 89 70 2.76 7.48 11994 data are for the dates shown; 40-year 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 watermelons in the replicated trial. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Spring 1994. Early Harvest' Total Harvest Weight Avg. fruit Soluble Hollowheart Weight Avg. fruit Soluble Hollowheart Entry (cwt/A)2 wt (lb) solids (%) (%) (in.)3 (cwt/A)2 wt (1b) solids (%) (%) (in.)3 ASM 6564 319 ab4 19.0 cd 12.3 b-d 0 b 0 c 551 a 18.4 cd 11.4 cd 5 de 0.1 c Royal Sweet 202 a-c 26.9 ab 12.9 a-d 67 ab 1.6 a-c 549 a 22.9 ab 12.1 a-d 33 a-d 0.7 a-c Starbrite 192 a-c 27.8 ab 11.8 d 0 b 0 c 543 a 25.2 a 12.0 a-d 28 a-e 0.7 a-c RXW 105 149 bc 22.3 b-d 11.9 cd 33 ab 0.5 bc 540 a 21.2 bc 11.2 d 11 c-e 0.2 c XPH 6144 77 c 26.3 ab 13.5 ab 67 ab 1.0 bc 528 a 20.5 b-d 11.7 b-d 26 a-e 0.5 bc Fiesta 223 a-c 19.0 cd 12.7 b-d 0 b 0 c 524 a 18.4 cd 11.7 b-d 0 e 0 c Sultan 189 a-c 24.5 a-c 14.1 a 33 ab 0.9 bc 514 a 19.7 b-d 13.0 a 19 b-e 0.4 bc XPH 6188 201 a-c 22.0 b-d 13.2 a-c 33 ab 0.4 c 508 a 22.1 ab 12.8 ab 30 a-e 0.2 c Royal Star 164 a-c 23.9 a-c 12.4 b-d 100 a 3.3 a 488 a 22.0 ab 11.5 cd 51 a 1.5 a Sangria 336 a 20.0 de 12.5 b-d 0 b 0 c 482 a 19.6 b-d 12.1 a-d 6 c-e 0.1 c Summer Flavor 420 144 bc 23.8 a-c 12.9 a-d 67 ab 1.7 a-c 481 a 20.2 b-d 12.6 a-c 25 a-e 0.6 bc XPH 6190 335 a 17.6 d 12.3 b-d 17 b 0.2 c 470 a 17.6 d 11.9 a-d 20 b-e 0.2 c Summer Flavor 520 131 c 29.1 a 12.3- b-d 17 b 0.6 bc 451 a 22.3 ab 11.6 b-d 8 c-e 0.3 bc XPH 6189 209 a-c 22.7 b-d 12.7 b-d 33 ab 0.4 c 448 a 20.0 b-d 12.2 a-d 18 b-e 0.2 c Royal Majesty 317 ab 18.7 cd 13.4 ab 50 ab 0.5 bc 441 a 18.6 cd 12.8 ab 36 a-c 0.6 bc All Sweet 142 bc 22.1 b-d 13.0 a-d 25 ab 0.8 bc 440 a 17.9 cd 12.0 a-d 33 a-d 0.4 bc Regency 90 c 23.2 a-d 13.3 ab 67 ab 2.7 ab 390 a 22.0 ab 12.5 a-c 42 ab 1.2 ab Early harvest represents the first of three harvests. 2Acre = 4840 Ibf. 3Average width of fruit cracks of those fruit sampled. Mean separation in columns by Duncan's multiple range test, 5% level. Table 4. Early and total yield, average fruit weight, soluble solids and the incidence and severity of hollowheart of standard watermelons in the observational trial. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Spring 1994. Early Harvest1 Total Harvest Weight Avg. fruit Soluble Hollowheart Weight Avg. fruit Soluble Hollowheart Entry (cwt/A)2 wt (Ib) solids (%) (%) (in.)3 (cwt/A)2 wt (1b) solids (%) (%) (in.)3 W0013 RXW 118 RXW 121 W0053 SWM 2301 180 NH 234 249 NH 17.9 23.2 20.6 12.3 12.6 13.3 0 3.2 0.9 16.4 19.4 19.2 19.0 17.5 12.3 11.1 11.3 12.2 10.6 0 0.1 1.1 0.6 0.7 W0008 NH -- -- -- 524 20.0 10.1 0 0 00 XPH 6250 218 18.0 11.5 50 0.7 475 18.1 11.4 20 0.3 RXW 119 65 32.0 10.5 100 1.6 460 20.8 11.2 17 0.3 SWM 3211 91 22.6 13.0 50 1.8 420 18.9 11.7 13 0.4 W0012 127 12.6 12.9 0 0 401 11.7 12.0 0 0 'Early harvest represents the first of three harvests. 2Acre = 4840 Ibf. 3Average width of fruit cracks of those fruit sampled. Table 5. Fruit weight distribution of the total yield of standard watermelons. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Spring 1994. Fruit Weight (Ib) 512.0 12.1-18.0 18.1-26.0 >26 Entry Percentage of fruit Replicated Entries: All Sweet 12 53 22 13 ASM 6564 3 50 42 5 Fiesta 0 43 54 3 Regency 4 9 61 26 Royal Majesty 3 51 43 3 Royal Star 3 18 58 21 Royal Sweet 0 31 29 40 RXW 105 0 44 54 2 Sangria 2 43 51 4 Starbrite 0 22 29 49 Sultan 0 50 32 18 Summer Flavor 420 0 35 49 16 Summer Flavor 520 0 38 35 27 XPH 6144 0 35 55 10 XPH 6188 0 33 58 9 XPH 6189 0 43 43 14 XPH 6190 2 54 44 0 Observational Entries: RXW 118 26 27 27 20 RXW 119 9 27 28 36 RXW 121 13 27 53 7 SWM 2301 18 44 38 0 SWM 3211 19 27 36 18 W0008 23 23 31 23 W0012 70 24 6 0 W0013 5 58 37 0 W0053 20 13 53 14 XPH 6250 8 38 54 0 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. Q 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. " 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. |