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Standard watermelon variety evaluation
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Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00054252/00004
 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: 1994
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: UF00054252:00004
 Related Items

Table of Contents
    Front Cover
        Front Cover
    Main
        Page 1
        Page 2
        Page 3
        Page 4
        Page 5
        Page 6
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        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.