EVALUATION OF WATERMELON CULTIVARS FOR SOUTHERN OHIO, 2002

Brad Bergefurd, Extension Agent Horticulture

Ohio State University South Centers

Thomas C. Harker, Horticulture Assistant

Ohio State University South Centers

1864 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio 45661

Phone: (740) 289-3727 Email: harker.7@osu.edu

 This Watermelon cultivar trial compared 8 cultivars of seeded (diploid) and seedless (triploid) watermelons, using 3 replications of each cultivar. Objectives were to evaluate potential watermelon cultivars for their suitability in a southern Ohio growing season. The plots were located at the Ohio State University South Centers research and demonstration plots in Hillsboro, Ohio.

Methods

Planting: Diploid watermelons were seeded on 5/10/02 into 50-cell Pro-Trays using a peat vermiculite soil-less mix. Trays for the triploid watermelons was wetted on 5/9/02 and seeded on 5/10/02 into 50-cell Pro-Trays using a peat vermiculite soil-less mix.  Trays were put into a germination chamber set at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit for 48 hours.  Plants were field-planted on June 11, 2002 using a Water Wheel Planter.

 Spacing: Rows were 5 feet apart, with plants set onto raised beds at 36” spacing between each plant in the row.  The beds were covered with black plastic mulch with trickle irrigation under the mulch prior to planting.

 Soil Type: Haubstadt Silt Loam

 Fertilizer: Applied 120 lbs. N, 120 lbs. P2O5 and 120 lbs. K2O per acre prior to laying plastic mulch according to soil test recommendations. 20-20-20 (1 lb./100 gallon water, approximately 8 oz. per plant) with transplanting water.

 Weed Control: 4 pts / Acre Curbit 3EC pre-plant between rows on 6/10/02; hand-hoed and cultivated as necessary. 

 Pest Management: 24 fl oz/A of Admire 2F was added to transplant water at planting. Pounce at a rate of 5 fl oz./A ; Thiodan 3EC 1.3 qt/A;  Bravo Ultrex 2 lb/A on;  Quadris 15.4 oz/A  .

 Harvests: Harvested three times starting on 8/13/02

Results

There was average fruit set and yield throughout the harvest season. Vine health and quality remained good throughout the season.  Harvest yield and quality attributes were collected and observed. 

The cultivar Mardi Gras was the seeded watermelon producing the largest amount of marketable pounds per acre, also producing the most fruit per acre.  1032 had the largest average fruit weight of the seeded watermelons that were on trial.

The cultivar Tri x Brand Carousel was the seedless watermelon producing the largest amount of marketable pounds per acre, also producing largest average fruit size of the seedless melons.  5015 had the largest number of marketable fruit per acre of the seedless watermelons that were on trial this year.