HISTORIC NOTE
The publications in this collection do
not reflect current scientific knowledge
or recommendations. These texts
represent the historic publishing
record of the Institute for Food and
Agricultural Sciences and should be
used only to trace the historic work of
the Institute and its staff. Current IFAS
research may be found on the
Electronic Data Information Source
(EDIS)
site maintained by the Florida
Cooperative Extension Service.
Copyright 2005, Board of Trustees, University
of Florida
SoU
IL vu Cantaloupe Cultivars for Florida
G. W. Elmstrom
Field trials of cantaloupe cultivars were conducted on Blanton fine sand
at 'the Agricultural Research Center, Leesburg during the period 1969-1972.
Direct-seeded plants were spaced at 2-3 feet in rows spaced at 10 feet.
Hills were thinned to 1 plant each. In 1969 and 1970, 1200 lb/acre of a
6-10-6 fertilizer was applied in a 10-inch band directly below the center
of the bed. In 1971 and 1972, 1080 lb/acre of a 1-15-0 fertilizer was
placed in a 10-inch band below the center of the bed and 328 Ib/acre of a
15-0-19 fertilizer was broadcast over the 40-inch bed. Fritted micro-
nutrients (FTE 503) were applied at a rate of 30 lb/acre each year.
Supplemental fertilizer was applied at emergence (100 lb/acre, 15-0-14)
and at layby (350 lb/acre, 1.4-0-14 or 15-0-14).
'Samson Hybrid', 'Gulfcoast', and 'Edisto 47' did well in the trials and
are recommended. 'Saticoy Hybrid' has less disease resistance than the
above but might be planted for trial. Yields of 'Southland' and 'Planters
Jumbo' were good but fruit was of poor quality and 'Southland' lacked
uniformity. 'Harper Hybrid' fruit were early maturing and of excellent
internal quality but vines lacked disease resistance. Other cultivars
lacking acceptable disease resistance were 'Super Market', 'Harvest Queen',
'Edisto', 'Golden Perfection', and 'Hales Best Jumbo'.
Table 1. Early and total marketable yields of se e cult vars
at Leesburg, 1969-1972. i
Yield, tons/cre 10
1969 1970 1 1971 1i
Cultivar Earlyz Total Earlyz Total Earl7 Total 1 l al
Southland 0.5 .3.2 10.6
Harper Hybrid 6.3 11.1
Samson Hybrid 5.4 9.6 0.5 7.4 0.9 14.4 3.7 9.1
Planters Jumbo 5.9 9.5 1.3 6.8 0.1 13.5 3.0 8.5
Gulfcoast 6.6 10.5 1.4 6.9- 1.6 11.4
Saticoy Hybrid 5.5 7.5 1.7 7.2 1.2 11.9 5.7 8.2
Edisto 47 0.4 5.3 0.2 13.2 1.5 6.4
Burpee Hybrid 5.5 7.8
HKIles Best Jumbo 7.7 9.0 5.4 6.3
Gulfstr: am 1,8 7.2
Golden Perfection 3.9 7.1
Edisto 4.3 6.2
Harvest Queen 2.9 6,1
Super Market 2.9 5.7
Dulce 0.7 2.8
z Harvest dates included in early yield were: 1969, June 1-14; 1970,
June 4-12; 1971, June 7-18; 1972, June 2-15.
Mimeo Report WG 73-2, October 4, 1972
Agricultural Research Center, Leesburg, Florida
200 copies
|