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Group Title: Watermelon field day.
Title: Watermelon field day. 1979.
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Permanent Link: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00076045/00014
 Material Information
Title: Watermelon field day. 1979.
Series Title: Watermelon field day.
Physical Description: Serial
Language: English
Publisher: Watermelon and Grape Investigations Laboratory, University of Florida
Publication Date: 1979
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Spatial Coverage: North America -- United States -- Florida
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Bibliographic ID: UF00076045
Volume ID: VID00014
Source Institution: University of Florida
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Resource Identifier: oclc - 144617905

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Full Text





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







WATERMELON FIELD DAY
- AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER, LEESBURG
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, IFAS
June 6, 1979
1:30 PM


Jackson Haddox, Lake County Extension Director, Moderator

Welcoming Comments Gary Elmstrom, Director, Agricultural
Research Center, Leesburg

Discussions of Current Research
J. A. Mortensen, Horticulturist
Grape studies at the ARC, Leesburg

W. C. Adlerz, Entomologist -
Rindworm control on watermelon i 2 f 1
Pickleworm control on summer squas ; 0 /Q
Watermelon mosaic virus studies ,

D. L. Hopkins, Associate Plant Pathologibt-.----- .
Watermelon disease control with fungicides
Watermelon 'old land' studies

G. W. Elmstrom, Associate Horticulturist and Center Director
Variety evaluation watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber,
and squash
Watermelon fertilizer studies
Chemical weed control in'watermelon
Cantaloupe breeding
Growth Regulators

R. K. Showalter, Horticulturist
Watermelons should we decrease production or increase
consumption?

J. M. Crall, Plant Pathologist
'Dixielee' watermelon
Watermelon breeding topics
1; Improved wilt resistance in commercial varieties
through backcrossing
2. Short internodes
3. Small fruit size


Refreshments (Courtesy of Foremost Fertilizer Company)

Tour of Research Plots, Bill Bodnaruk, Assistant County Agent,
presiding



Leesburg ARC Research Report WG79-2
200 copies




-2-


1. Watermelon Breeding (Crall)

A major change in the watermelon breeding program here was
initiated in 1961 when the first crosses were made to combine
the high-type resistance to Fusarium wilt found in Calhoun
Gray, Summit, and several other varieties, with anthracnose
resistance (Race 1) and other characters desirable in a high
quality shipping-type watermelon. Smokylee, which was re-
leased in 1971, and Dixielee, our current release, were
developed from this program. Florida 77-2, which resembles
Dixielee in external appearance but does not have its intense
red flesh color, also comes from this program. It is in its
third season of testing in the Southern Regional trials, at
Leesburg and Immokalee ARCs, and in grower trials (12 this
year) throughout Florida. This line is earlier maturing than
any of the currently-grown large-melon varieties (Charleston
Gray, Jubilee, Crimson Sweet). Block plantings for compari-
son of Dixielee and Florida 77-2 with Crimson Sweet may be
seen in Range QQ of this years field.

In 1962 the intense red flesh color found in Dixielee was
incorporated into our breeding program from certain Peacock
lines. This character, especially in combination with black
seeds, crisper firmer flesh texture, and higher soluble
solids juice are three of the most important improvements
that have been developed in our lines since that time. They
have markedly improved the appearance and eating quality of
the watermelon flesh. These characters, along with a tough
rind, and resistance to both anthracnose and Fusarium wilt
are combined in Dixielee, and all but the intense red flesh
color are found in Florida 77-2.

Another major facet in our breeding program was initiated
in 1969, when crosses were made between several of our better
large-fruited lines and a number of small-fruited varieties,
including New Hampshire Midget, Sugar Baby, and several from
foreign countries, especially Japan. The aim of this part
of our program is to develop small-fruited varieties with
combined resistance to Fusarium wilt and anthracnose, deep
red flesh, small black seeds, and other desirable fruit
qualities. We are seeking to develop varieties that might
be adapted to shipping in cartons, in a range of sizes from
4 to 20 pounds. There are 4 distinct types currently being
evaluated: (1) a New Hampshire Midget type (about 5 pounds),
(2) a small round gray type (10-pound average, some with
stripes), (3) an intermediate size (about 20 pounds) round gray
type, and (4) a Klondike type (10-20 pounds). Most advanced
in this group of lines is Florida 79-1 (10-pound average round
gray), which was entered this year in the All-America Selections
trial. It is also being tested in the Southern Regional trials,
at Leesburg and Immokalee ARCs, and in 12 grower tests in
Florida. It may be seen in block plantings for comparison
with New Hampshire Midget, Petite Sweet, and Sugar Baby in
Range 00 of this year's field. Next most advanced in this
group are several intermediate size (20-pound average) round
grays. Five of them are being evaluated in block plantings




-3-


(Range PP) in this year's field.

Greenhouse and field tests in 1971-72 and later confirmed the
suspicion that commercial seed stocks of Jubilee no longer
had the same degree of resistance to Fusarium wilt as that
found in original "breeder" seed of Jubilee. Increases of
seed from breeder stocks were made available to commercial
seedsmen for several years so that they could produce "reg-
istered" seed for sales to growers. Growers willingly paid
a premium price for such seed because of its greater resis-
tance to wilt, but practical problems in the production of
sufficient quantities of "registered" grade seed have limited
the success of this approach to the problem. Therefore, two
other approaches to a solution were initiated. A selling
program to better fix wilt resistance in Jubilee was con-
ducted for several years but no apparent progress was made
and it has since been terminated. However, a backcrossing
program to incorporate the high-type wilt resistance of
Smokylee and Calhoun Gray into Jubilee and several other
varieties was also started in 1972. This is a comprehensive
program that requires continued selling, backcrossing, and
greenhouse testing in a specific sequence, but it is per-
haps the most promising method for accomplishing the aim of
getting improved wilt resistance in Jubilee and other
commercial varieties.

Test results with backcross (BC) lines of Jubilee and
Charleston Gray in 1978 were encouraging enough to warrant
increases of seed of several of them last fall. Two or
more BC Jubilee lines and two or more BC Charleston Gray
lines are being tested this season in the Southern Regional
trials, at Leesburg and Immokalee ARCs, and in 15 grower
tests throughout Florida. BC lines may be seen in block
plantings in Ranges RR and SS and in Dr. Elmstrom's variety
test plantings (Ranges I, J, K, L).

Crosses were made in 1973 between some of our better lines
and several short-internode (dwarf) lines from Kentucky.
Efforts in this part of our program have been limited and
slow developing but this season we are beginning a back-
crossing approach to incorporate dwarfing genes into some
of our better lines. Dwarf progenies can be seen in
Range II, Rows 1-5 of this year's field.

Field location of breeding program demonstrations:

Category Item Range Rows

Backcross 78-SW1 SS 1-6
Charleston -SW2 8-13
Grays Char. Gray 15-19
Calhoun Gray 21-26
78-SW3 28-33
-SW4 35-40

Backcross 78-SE1 RR 1-7
Jubilees -SE2 9-15







Category


Backcross
Jubilees


Large round
stripes


Intermediate
round grays




Small round
melons




Miscellaneous


Jubilee (Breeders)
78-SE3
-SE4

Dixielee
Crimson Sweet
Fla. 77-2

78-AA9-6s
-U10-2s
-V1-4s
-W29-2s
-X17-3s

N. H. Midget
Fla. 79-1
Petite Sweet
78-X5-6s
Sugar Baby

Dwarfs


2. Watermelon Growth Regulator Trial (Elmstrom & Crall)

Purpose: To promote earlier female flowering and fruit
development on Dixielee watermelon.

Date of Planting: February 20, 1979

Varieties: Dixielee and Charleston Gray

Procedure:

No. Treatment

1 Check, no treatment
2 Vine pruning, 7-10 true-leaf stage
3 Vine pruning, 12-15 true-leaf stage
4 Tribasic copper sulfate at 7-10 true-leaf stage
5 Chlorfluorenol, lOOppm at 7-10 true-leaf stage
6 Ethrel, 200ppm at 7-10 true-leaf stage
pruned
Treatment number 2von 3 April. Main runner growing point of
all plants was removed. Treatments 4, 5, and 6 were applied
4 April and plants in treatment number 3 were pruned 9 April.

Results: Incomplete



3. Watermelon Herbicide Trial (Elmstrom)

Purpose: To evaluate various materials and methods for weed


Item


1-5


Range


Rows

17-24
26-32
34-40

1-13
15-26
28-40

1-7
9-15
17-24
26-32
34-40

1-7
9-15
17-24
26-32
34-40




-5-


control in watermelon

Procedure: Dixielee watermelon seed was planted February 28.
All materials were applied 2 March preemergence to crop or as
directed sprays 5 April. Watermelon plants were protected
from contact with the directed sprays of paraquat.

No. Herbicide Ib a.i./acre

1 Devrinol 2
2 Vegedex 4
3 Sonolan 1.125
4 Alanap 3
5 Amex 1.5
6 Amex + Paraquat 1.5 + 0.5*
7 Paraquat + Paraquat 0.5 + 0.5*
8 Paraquat + Paraquat 0.5 + 0.25*
9 Unhoed check
10 Hoed check

Directed application.

Results: Incomplete for 1979. Best results over the last
several seasons have been obtained using a combination of
stale seed beds (prepared 10 days to 2 weeks before planting
and contact herbicide application), preemergence herbicide
(Alanap or Amex applied at bedding or in combination with
a contact herbicide prior to crop emergence) and a contact
herbicide (paraquat applied after planting and before emer-
gence or applied as directed spray a week or 2 after crop
emergence).



4. Rindworm Control (Adlerz)

Purpose: To compare insecticides for control of rindworm
on watermelons. Typical rindworms are cabbage loopers,
tobacco budworms, granulate cutworms.

Date of Planting: February 7, 1979

Variety: Smokylee

Procedure: Spray treatments were applied weekly beginning
May 2. They were applied in 100 gallons of water/acre at
about 150 psi with a boom sprayer. Baits were broadcast
over the plots weekly beginning the same date.

Treatments Rate/100 gal./acre

A. Pydrin 2.4E 1.3 oz.
B. Pydrin 2.4E 2.6 oz.
C. Pydrin 2.4E 5.2 oz.
D. Pounce 3.2E 2 oz.
E. Pounce 3.2E 4 oz.
F. Ambush 2E 3.2 oz.







Rate/100 gal./acre


Ambush 2E
UC 51762 75WP
UC 51762 75WP
Bolstar 6E
Nudrin 90 SP
Nudrin 90 SP
Nudrin 90 SP
Monitor 4E
Monitor 4E
Monitor 5% bait
Monitor 5% bait
Orthene 5% bait
Orthene 5% bait
Untreated.


(CC9236)
(CC9284)
(CC6316)
(CC7255)


6.4 oz.
0.66 lb.
1.32 lb.
0.75 pt.
0.25 lb.
0.5 lb.
1 lb.
1 pt.
1 qt.
20 lbs/acre
20 lbs/acre
20 lbs/acre
20 lbs/acre


Results: 1978. Rindworm populations were too low to evaluate
insecticides.

1979. Granulate cutworm eggs, and cabbage looper eggs and
larvae were found on leaves sampled May 9 and 16. Worm inci-
dence in melons could not be determined for this report.



5. Oil Spraying to Suppress Virus Spread (Adlerz)

Purpose: To test an oil spray treatment that has proven
effective on some crops to delay or inhibit the spread of
plant virus by aphids.

Date of Planting: February 7, 1979

Variety: Smokylee

Procedure: JMS stylet oil (JMS Flower Farms, Vero Beach,
Florida) was applied as a 0.75% emulsion in 100 gallons per
acre and 400 psi pressure with TX-5 brass tipped nozzles.
Spraying began April 9, prior to finding mosaic infected
plants in the field.

Treatments:

1) No spray
2) Weekly spray
3) Twice weekly spray

Results: 1978. The first plant showing virus symptoms was
detected April 24 in a plot that was to be sprayed twice
weekly. Subsequent spraying failed to slow the increase of
disease around the initial locus. Final mosaic was 0 sprays:
41%; l/week sprays: 46%; 2/week sprays: 46%

Oil spraying is most effective as a preventive program; spray-
ing may have been initiated too late in this test.


Treatments




-7-


Oil was Phytotoxic on plants treated with Bravo and Difolatan.

1979. The first plant showing virus symptoms was detected
April 20. There was little subsequent spread up to the time
melons were half grown.



6. Rindworm Bait Evaluation (Adlerz)

Date of Planting: see fungicide trial

Variety: see fungicide trial

Procedure: All baits were freshly made by commercial formu-
lators 1 week before first application. Methomyl baits were
formulated from Lannate. Baits were broadcast over 1000 ft2
plots in the fungicide trial. Applications were made weekly
for 4 weeks beginning May 11.

Treatment Rate, lbs./acre

A. Methomyl B6 (Asgrow) 2% 25
B. Methomyl B6 (Asgrow) 2% 50
C. Methomyl, gluten 2% 25
D. Methomyl, gluten 2% 50
E. Methomyl, pellets 2% 25
F. Methomyl, pellets 2% 50
G. Methomyl, citrus pulp 1.25% 40
H. Methomyl, citrus pulp 1.25% 80
I. Trichlorfon B5 (Asgrow) 5% 20
J. Untreated

Results: 1978. Rindworm populations were too low to evaluate
insecticides.

1979. Granulate cutworm eggs, and cabbage looper eggs and lar-
vae were found on leaves samples May 9 and 16. Worm incidence
in melons could not be determined for this report.



7. Fungicide Trial (Hopkins)

Purpose: To compare fungicides for the control of fungus foliar
diseases of watermelon.

Date of Planting: February 22, 1979

Variety: Allsweet

Procedure: All treatments except the SN-66752 in E were applied
weekly beginning on May 3. They were applied in 100 gallons of
dilute spray per acre, using a boom-sprayer. SN-66752 in E was
applied as a granule to the surface of the plots on April 30.




-8-


Treatments (green field stakes)


Rate (amt./100 gal./acre)


2.0
3.0
2.5
0.5
100
1.5
2.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.0


Dithane M-45
Bravo 500
Difolatan 4F
Benlate + Manzate 200
SN-66752 10G + Benlate
SN-66752 6F + Benlate
Bravo 500
CC-9553
CC-9554
CC-9555
Difolatan 4F
Orthocide 50
Orthocide 50 + Chevron
Spray Sticker
Phaltan 50W
Phaltan 50W + Chevron
Spray Sticker
Bravo 500
Dithane M-45
Dithane M-45
Dithane M-45
Untreated


Ibs.
pts.
pts.
lb.
lbs.
pts.
pts.
pts.
pts.
pts.
pts.
lbs.


4.0 lbs.
4.0 lbs.


4.0
4.0
3.0
4.0
1.5


lbs.
pts.
lbs.
lbs.
Ibs.


+ 1.5 Ibs.
/acre + 0.5
+ 0.5 lb.







+ 0.5 pt.


+ 0.5 pt.


Results:
program.


1979. Results of the test are not available for the
Plots will be observed on the field tour.


Recommended Fungicides for Watermelon:


DMht~cr1f~1 and rate (amt./acre)


Manzate D 80%, 1 1/2 2 lbs.
Dithane M-22 Special 80%
1 1/2 2 lbs.
Dithane M-45 80%, 1 1/2 3 lbs.
Manzate 200 80%, 1 1/2 3 lbs.
Difolatan 4F, 2 1/2 5 pts.
Bravo 500, 2 4 pts.
Benlate 50W, 1/4 1/2 lb.


Relative
Min. days1 effectiveness2
to harvest GSB DM


5

5
5
5
NTL
NTL
NTL


1 This is the minimum number of days allowed between the last
foliar application and harvest. NTL = no time limit.

2 +++ = highly effective; ++ = moderately effective; + = effec-
tive; 0 = not effective. GSB = gummy stem blight; DM = downy
mildew.



8. Cantaloupe Variety Trial (Elmstrom)

Purpose: To compare promising breeding lines and new varieties
with standard commercial varieties.


lb.


Materials and rate (amt./acre)







Procedure: Single-row plots in randomized blocks with 3 repli-
cations were planted March 7. Twenty-four lines were planted
in single-row observational plots.

Entries, Replicated:


Planters Jumbo
Edisto 47
Fla. 93-8
Fla. 93-11
AC 68-57
AC 70-154
AC 67-71
AC 75-1


9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.


Burpee Hybrid
Earlidew
Star Trek
Saticoy
Super Market
Top Mark
Top Set
Top Score


Entries, Observational:


PMR 45
W-l
W-2
W-3
W-4
W-5
W-6
Fla. 93-71
AC 77-100-10
AC 77-1
AC SIM-742
Castlex 5001


13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.


Castlex
Castlex
Castlex
GQT
FGT
MVRTU
FG2P
G25T
Sundae
Sweetie
TAM-dew
TAM-dew


5002
5003
5004






Pie


Results: Incomplete for 1979. Sat'icoy and Super Market, both
hybrids, have been the most consistent entries over the years.
Other varieties might have higher yields but as far as quality
and consumer acceptance these have been the best. Burpee hy-
brid is also good and maybe a little earlier maturing. Earli-
dew, a new,early maturing, hybrid honeydew should be tried. It
slips when mature and has excellent quality. Foliar disease
resistance is greater than in the standard honeydew variety.
It has resistance similar to that of Super Market and will re-
quire a good fungicide spray program.



9. Watermelon Variety Trial (Elmstrom)

Purpose: To compare promising breeding lines and new varieties
with standard commercial varieties.

Procedure: Two-row plots in randomized blocks with 4 repli-
cations were planted 19 February.

Entries, Replicated:


Charleston Gray
Fla. 77-2
Fla. 78 SE1
Fla. 78 SE4


5. Fla. 78 SW2
6. Fla. 78 SW4
7. Fla. 79-1
8. Au #3


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.




-10-


9. Au #5 14. Calhoun Gray
10. Sunshade 15. Smokylee
11. Dixielee 16. Yellow Baby
12. Jubilee 17. Crimson Sweet
13. Allsweet 18. Charleston Gray /5

Entries, Observational:

1. Sugar Bush 5. Tri X 319
2. Blue Belle 6. Tri X 119
3. Mirage 7. Sugar Bush
4. Tri X 119 8. Blue Belle

Results: Incomplete for 1979. Charleston Gray, Jubilee, and
Crimson Sweet are still the standard varieties for Florida.
The backcross lines from Dr. Crall's breeding program do have
better Fusarium resistance than found in commercial Charleston
Gray and Jubilee. Differences might not be noticeable on new
land, but on old land the differences can be striking. The
differences are obvious in the variety trial. Fla. 79-1
appears to be quite productive and have excellent quality.
Since there are no 'ice box' varieties suitable for growth
on anything but virgin land, this line should be considered.
Dixielee was released in 1978 and commercial quantities of
seed will be available for the 1979-80 growing season.
Dixielee should be tried on an experimental basis by a num-
ber of growers in Florida next season.

Fla. 77-2 is an extremely early line of excellent eating
quality and is currently being considered for release as a
named variety.

Yellow Baby is a hybrid, yellow-fleshed variety that has
been very productive the past 4 seasons. It is an 'ice box'
melon and the yellow flesh needs to be tested for consumer
acceptance.



10. Watermelon Minor Element Trial (Elmstrom)

Purpose: To study the need for a minor element supply in
the watermelon bed fertilizer and to compare two sources of
minor elements.

Date of Planting: February 19, 1979

Variety: Fla. 77-2

Procedure: Minor elements were applied 30 January with the
bed fertilizer prior to bedding over a 3-ft. wide band the
entire length of the plot. This was incorporated with a
disk prior to bedding.




-11-


No. Source Rate (lb./acre)

1 FTE 20
2 FTE 40
3 FTE 60
4 FTE 80
5 TEM 20
6 TEM 40
7 TEM 60
8 TEM 80
9 None

Results: Incomplete for 1979.



11. Watermelon Foliar Spray Trial (Elmstrom)

Purpose: To study the benefits of application of a complete
liquid nutrient (Bayfolan) to watermelon foliage.

Date of Planting: February 19, 1979

Procedure: Treatments replicated 4 times.


No.


Rate


Variety


None
1 qt/A/week
None
2 qt/A/biweekly


Charleston Gray
Charleston Gray
Crimson Sweet
Crimson Sweet


Results: Incomplete.



12. Pickleworm Control on Squash (Adlerz)

Purpose: To compare insecticides for control of pickleworm.

Date of Planting: August 7, 1978

Variety: Early Golden Summer Crookneck and Niagia Yellow
Squash MCX7000.

Procedure: Treatments were applied weekly from September 14
to October 5 in 100 gallons per acre at 150 psi.

Results: Higher combined yields of pickleworm free squash
were obtained with Monitor (1 lb. AI/acre), Nudrin (.25 .5
lbs. AI/acre), and SD47443 (.05 lbs. AI/acre), than with other
treatments. Worm free yields were the same following both
rates of Nudrin, so the lowest efficacious rate of Nudrin was
not determined by these tests. The 0.05 pound rate of SD47443
gave better worm free yields than the 0.025 pound rate. Pydrin
performed well in 1976 and 1977 at 0.1 and 0.2 pounds AI/acre
but in 1978 at 0.025 and 0.05 pounds, Pydrin was not efficacious.




-12-


13. Watermelon Rotation Trial (Hopkins & Elmstrom)

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the length of rotation
on Fusarium wilt.

Date of Planting: February 28, 1979

Varieties: Calhoun Gray (highly wilt resistant), Smokylee
(highly wilt resistant), Charleston Gray (moderately resis-
tant), and Florida Giant (susceptible).


Rotations (1977-1978-1979)


Cal.
CG -
FG -
0 -
0 -
0 -
0 -
0 -
0 -
Cal.
CG -
FG -


% wilt at thinning


G- S S
CG CG
FG FG
S S
*CG CG
FG FG
0 S
0 CG
0 FG
G- 0- S
0 CG
0 FG


11


Cal. G = Calhoun Gray; S = Smokylee; CG = Charleston
FG = Florida Giant.


Gray;


14. Buildup and Decline of Fusarium wilt Fungus in the Soil (Hop-
kins & Elmstrom)

Purpose: To determine rate and extent of buildup of Fusarium
wilt on various watermelon varieties and to determine the
rate of decline of the Fusarium wilt fungus on various alter-
nate crops.

Procedure: Four-row plots in randomized blocks with 4 repli-
cations were planted February 19 with 10 watermelon varieties
that had different levels of resistance to wilt.

Watermelon varieties:


Dixielee
Calhoun Gray
Crimson Sweet
Jubilee
Charleston Gray


(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)


Sugar Baby
Florida Giant
Smokylee
Congo
Fla. 77-2


Another field, which had been planted in watermelons 7 of the
previous 8 years, was divided into 30' x 60' plots in random-
ized blocks with 4 replications. Various agronomic and
vegetable crops were planted to evaluate their influence on
the Fusarium wilt of watermelon organism.


(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)




-13-


Alternate Crops:

(1) Pensacola Bahiagrass (6) Corn
(2) Pangola Grass (7) Pearl Millet
(3) Soybeans (8) Cucumbers
(4) Hairy Indigo (9) Peppers
(5) Bermudagrass (10) Watermelon

Results: Assays at planting time indicated that Fusarium wilt
propagules and wilt pressure were fairly uniform throughout
the test areas. The Fusarium oxysporum concentration was low
in the watermelon variety area and high in the alternate crops
area, as we desired.

Results of the test are not available yet.



15. Summary of Soil Fumigation Tests for the Control of Watermelon
Fusarium wilt, 1974-1978 (H-opkins & Elmstrom)

Purpose: To evaluate fumigants for the control of Fusarium
wilt of watermelon on "old" land.

Results: Fumigation with Smite 15G (30 Ibs. ai/acre) or
Vorlex (30 gal./acre) provided sufficient control of Fusarium
wilt of moderately or highly resistant cultivars (Crimson
Sweet or Calhoun Gray) to allow the production of good yields
on land with severe wilt pressure. The application of fumi-
gant immediately prior to bed formation, resulting in deeper
fumigation under the bed, was more effective than the appli-
cation of fumigant after bed formation. Wilt control was
most consistent when fumigants were applied in row-centered
bands of 6 ft. or broadcast over the entire plot. Three ft.
row-centered bands were inconsistent and 1 ft. bands totally
ineffective. The 6 ft. band treatment requires only 60% of
the fumigant used in the broadcast treatment.

Fumigation alone does not make continuous culture of water-
melon possible; rotation is still necessary. However, it
may give growers the option of shortening the rotation and
growing melons in a field where Fusarium wilt is present.



16. Cantaloupe Breeding (Elmstrom)

Purpose: To evaluate the combining ability of some varieties
and breeding lines and to develop parental lines with genetic
properties suitable for F1 hybrid seed production.

Procedure: Currently, 6 promising Fllines are being evalu-
ated. Two of these have been tested for three years in the
Southern Cooperative Muskmelon Variety Trial and in various
grower trials. At present I am attempting to incorporate
various characters into the parent lines which would make








them more suitable for parent lines. ie. reduce the cost of
hybrid seed which is now about $140/lb. Some of these char-
acters include the monoecious flowering habit, male sterility,
and short internode or dwarf vine habit. I attempt to get
3 generations of cantaloupe a year, one in the spring, one in
the fall, and one during the winter in the greenhouse.




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