Cooperative Extension Service
The University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
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2003 Watermelon and CantaloupeVariety Trials, Pollenizer Evaluation and Watermelon Production in Georgia |
George E. Boyhan, Darbie M. Granberry and W. Terry Kelley -- Extension Horticulturists
Kenneth L. Lewis, Crisp County Extension Coordinator
W. Tom Jennings, Wilcox County Extension Coordinator
J. Kevin Phillips, Wilcox County Extension Agent
C. Randell Hill, Superintendent -- Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Farm
Watermelon and Cantaloupe Variety Trials
Watermelon Pollenizer Evaluation
Watermelon Production in Georgia
Literature Cited
Table 1: Cantaloupe Variety Trial, 2003, Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center, Lyons, Ga.
Table 2: Watermelon Variety Trial Yield Results, 2003, Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center, Lyons, Ga.
Table 3: Watermelon Variety Trial Fruit Characteristics, 2003, Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center, Lyons, Ga.
Table 4: Evaluation of Short-Internode Pollenizer, 2002
Figure 1: Watermelon Acres and Crop Value
Entries by Variety
Watermelon and cantaloupe are important crops in Georgia, with values of almost $95 million and more than $25 million, respectively (Boatright and McKissick, 2003). Variety trials are an important component of information for growers and seed companies to use in assessing new varieties. This is particularly important with watermelons as the industry has changed over the past few years with greater use of seedless or triploid melons.
There were 32 watermelon entries and 6 cantaloupe entries in the trials this year. Seed of watermelon were sown in greenhouses at the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Garden in Savannah, Georgia, on 11 April 2003, and cantaloupe seed were sown on 18 April 2003. Plants were grown in flats with 72 cell inserts using a peat based soilless mix. Care was taken to avoid overwatering triploid watermelon seed during the first 72 hours to ensure a high germination rate. Plants were transported to the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center (VOVRC) in Lyons, Georgia, and set out on 15 May 2003.
A smaller trial of only triploids was set out on 9 May 2003 at a Crisp County, Georgia, on-farm location and harvested on 31 July 2003. The 'Companion' pollenizer variety from Seminis was planted every second plant. This trial was planted as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.
The watermelon trial at the VOVRC was laid out with 10 hills per plot with an in-row spacing of 5 feet and a between-row spacing of 6 feet. The cantaloupe trial at the VOVRC was laid out with a 3-foot in-row spacing and a 6-foot between-row spacing. These trials were laid out as RCBD with four replications.
Fertilization and weed control followed University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Service recommendations. Neither fungicides nor insecticides were used.
Cantaloupe were harvested on 15-16 July 2003, and a final harvest was completed on 22 July 2003. Watermelon were also harvested on 15-16 July 2003 with a final harvest on 21 July 2003. Data on the cantaloupe trial included a weight and count of the fruit in each plot. In addition, two cantaloupes were cut from each plot and the width, length, flesh diameter and soluble solid concentration were recorded. In the watermelon trial, melons were weighed individually so weight class data could be compiled. Two melons from each plot were also cut in the watermelon trial and length, width, rind depth and soluble solid concentration were recorded. In addition, the flesh color, melon type and seedlessness were noted.
Data were analyzed and results were reported for a Fisher's Protected LSD with a Bonferonni adjustment to make five specific comparisons at 0.05 probability. In addition, a coefficient of variation was calculated for each analysis.
Eight pictures were taken of each watermelon entry at the VOVRC trial, two from each replication. One picture was of the intact melon and the other of the melon cut. Four pictures from among these, that were representative of the variety, were included in this report.
Results of the cantaloupe trial are listed in Table 1. There were no yield differences among varieties either by weight or number of fruit. The Type column lists the descriptor from the seed company. In addition, there were no soluble solids differences. Cantaloupe production in Georgia continues to be dominated by Athena and similar varieties.
Table 2 lists the yield results for the watermelon trial. The Description column is the seed company's descriptor that was listed on the seed packet. Yields ranged from 55,431 to 19,511 pounds per acre. Variety 8282's low yields were primarily due to low germination, so use caution in assessing this variety. Fourteen of the entries were triploids, which continues a trend in Georgia watermelon production to triploids or seedless watermelon production. This year, according to The Packer, more than 60 percent of the watermelons sold from Georgia were triploids. This has resulted in the watermelon crop in Georgia almost doubling in value since 1999.
Only six varieties had any melons in the over 30-pound class. Most of the melons were in the 10-20 pound class. The highest yielding variety was WD-02-25 from D. Palmer Seed Co., but this variety did not differ significantly from 27 of the varieties tested. The CV of 26 percent is quite good for a watermelon trial and suggests that the yield data are reasonably reliable.
Table 3 lists the fruit characteristics of each of the entries. Three of the entries in this trial were yellow fleshed varieties. Butterball, a triploid variety, was the highest yielding yellow, which was closely followed by Gold Strike. The third variety, Sunny -- a seedless type, had the lowest yield among the yellow varieties.
Several seed companies have recently introduced pollenizer varieties. The concept behind this innovation is to plant a field 100 percent to triploids and then interplant with a pollenizer. These pollenizers, according to the companies, do not compete with the crop while ensuring adequate pollination.
Currently our recommendations are to plant one row in three as the pollenizer row. The result of this arrangement is that one-third of the field is planted to normal diploid plants, which generally command lower prices than triploids.
Recent research has suggested that one row in four or five may be all that is needed for pollen. In either case, these new pollenizers offer a completely novel approach in that no production capacity is lost to pollenizers.
Over the past two years, we have had an opportunity to evaluate 'Companion (6741),' the short-internode pollenizer variety from Seminis Seed. In 2002, seeds of 'Companion' and triploid plants were sown in flats on 27 March at the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Garden. These plants were transplanted at the VOVRC on 25 April.
The experiment was arranged in a RCBD with three replications. Ten hills of triploids were planted in each plot with a within-row spacing of 5 feet. Treatments consisted of 'Companion' planted either every second plant or every fourth plant in a plot. Plots were arranged so there was a minimum of 40 feet between any two plots to minimize cross pollen transfer. Fruit were harvested on 11 July and weighed.
In 2003, a similar experiment was initiated with the two treatments as indicated above and the addition of a third treatment that consisted of a normal diploid interplanted every second triploid plant.
Results of the 2002 and 2003 experiments are summarized in Table 4. Pollenizers planted every second or fourth plant did not result in yield or number of fruit differences. In addition, in the 2003 experiment, planting a normal vining diploid did not affect yield or number of fruit. It should be noted, however, that no border rows were planted around these isolated plots, which could have reduced the competitive effect a normal diploid might exert.
The results of these studies as well as others may indicate a dramatic shift in watermelon production in Georgia. Triploid watermelon production may no longer have to rely on 20-30 percent of a field planted to diploids.
Watermelon production in Georgia is rapidly changing. Triploid production has become the major type of watermelon produced in the state. Throughout the 2003 season, according to The Packer, 60 percent of watermelons shipped from Georgia were triploids. This compared to 10-20 percent triploids just a few years ago.
UGA surveys its county agents every year concerning agricultural output in Georgia. According to this survey, watermelon acres have gone down approximately 11.5 percent from 1998 to 2002, while the crop value has changed dramatically from just over $40 million in 1998 to almost $95 million in 2002 (Figure 1). During this same time period, the Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service (GASS) reported a decline in acreage of slightly more than 14.8 percent, while the crop value has only increased slightly more than $4 million. The price per cwt reported by the GASS is $5.80 while the UGA Extension Service price is $8.00 per cwt. Finally, UGA estimates yields at 40,000 pounds per acre while the GASS estimates it at 25,500 pounds.
The GASS attempts to survey growers directly and monitor buying points in Georgia. County agents, on the other hand, base their estimates on their knowledge of land use in their respective counties. The true estimate of watermelon production in Georgia probably lies somewhere between these two estimates. The GASS direct survey of growers will always miss some growers as some enter and others leave watermelon production, resulting in lower estimates. In addition, their per-acre yields appear to be too low, particularly in light of newer production practices that use plastic mulch, irrigation and better performing varieties.
UGA's watermelon production estimate may be somewhat overstated, but it does correctly reflect the transition to triploid production in Georgia. In the not-too-distant future, watermelon production in the state may be largely seedless with seeded watermelons produced only for local markets.
Abbe, D.S. (ed.). 2003. Georgia Agricultural Facts 2002 ed. Ga. Dept. of Agr. Atlanta, Ga.
Boatright, S.R., and J.C. McKissick. 2003. 2002 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report. AR-03-01.
| Entry: WD-02-25 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| D. Palmer Seed | Allsweet Smoke (2N) | 55,431 | 17 | 73 | 10 | 0 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 16.3 | 8.1 | 0.8 | 10.5 | Jubilee | |||
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| Entry: WX-255 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Wilhite | Hybrid | 54,712 | 11 | 86 | 3 | 0 | |
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 13.3 | 8.2 | 0.8 | 9.5 | Allsweet | |||
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| Entry: Butterball |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| D. Palmer Seed | Triploid | 53,780 | 28 | 72 | 0 | 0 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 9.1 | 8.8 | 1.4 | 9.3 | Crimson Sweet, seedless | |||
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| Entry: Gold Strike |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Wilhite | Hybrid | 52,622 | 7 | 81 | 11 | 1 | |
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 13.7 | 8.5 | 0.8 | 10.4 | Jubilee, Allsweet | |||
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| Entry: WD-02-29 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| D. Palmer Seed | Diploid | 51,911 | 7 | 84 | 8 | 0 | |
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 11.9 | 8.7 | 0.8 | 8.9 | Blocky Crimson Sweet | |||
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| Entry: Plantation Pride |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| D. Palmer Seed | Blocky Calsweet Type (2N) | 48,407 | 11 | 67 | 21 | 1 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 15.3 | 8.2 | 1.0 | 9.4 | Allsweet | |||
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| Entry: FSW 9130 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Florida Seed | 48,137 | 4 | 52 | 42 | 1 | ||
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 16.6 | 8.1 | 0.9 | 9.7 | Allsweet | |||
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| Entry: WX-261 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Wilhite | Hybrid | 48,098 | 14 | 70 | 16 | 0 | |
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 16.9 | 7.7 | 0.8 | 8.6 | Allsweet | |||
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| Entry: WD-02-28 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| D. Palmer Seed | 2N | 47,165 | 14 | 62 | 23 | 1 | |
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 12.1 | 10.0 | 0.8 | 9.2 | Dark Crimson Sweet | |||
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| Entry: SSW 9140 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Florida Seed | 46,867 | 4 | 59 | 37 | 0 | ||
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 13.9 | 9.1 | 0.8 | 10.1 | Blocky Jubilee | |||
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| Entry: WX-207 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Wilhite | Hybrid | 46,292 | 23 | 61 | 17 | 0 | |
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 16.1 | 8.2 | 0.8 | 10.1 | Jubilee | |||
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| Entry: SSW 9150 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Florida Seed | 45,172 | 21 | 71 | 8 | 0 | ||
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 14.2 | 7.7 | 0.7 | 9.7 | Allsweet, light colored seed | |||
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| Entry: Compodre |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| D. Palmer Seed | 2N Watermelon | 44,979 | 19 | 61 | 19 | 1 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 11.3 | 9.7 | 0.8 | 10.0 | Crimson Sweet | |||
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| Entry: Sweet Slice |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Wilhite | Hybrid Triploid | 44,515 | 24 | 72 | 3 | 0 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 11.6 | 8.6 | 1.0 | 10.3 | Crimson Sweet, seedless | |||
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| Entry: PX 11052889 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Seminis | Triploid Larger Tri X | 43,316 | 26 | 72 | 2 | 0 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 11.5 | 8.8 | 0.8 | 9.5 | Blocky Crimson Sweet, seedless | |||
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| Entry: WX-262 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Wilhite | Hybrid | 42,033 | 20 | 60 | 20 | 0 | |
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 16.4 | 7.7 | 0.7 | 9.3 | Allsweet | |||
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| Entry: SSW 9905 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Florida | 41,763 | 32 | 68 | 0 | 0 | ||
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 10.8 | 8.4 | 0.7 | 10.6 | Crimson Sweet, seedless | |||
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| Entry: XP 4510759 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Seminis | Triploid | 40,166 | 37 | 63 | 0 | 0 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 10.9 | 8.2 | 1.0 | 10.5 | Blocky Crimson Sweet, seedless | |||
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| Entry: Cooperstown |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Seminis | Triploid | 39,709 | 17 | 80 | 4 | 0 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 11.1 | 8.2 | 0.7 | 10.3 | Blocky Crimson Sweet, seedless | |||
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| Entry: Sweet Eat'n |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| D. Palmer Seed | 313 Type (3N) | 39,683 | 31 | 69 | 0 | 0 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 11.1 | 8.1 | 0.8 | 9.8 | Blocky Crimson Sweet, seedless | |||
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| Entry: WX-266 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Wilhite | Hybrid | 39,604 | 12 | 68 | 21 | 0 | |
| -- | |||||||
| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 16.8 | 7.8 | 0.6 | 9.7 | Allsweet | |||
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| Entry: WD-02-23 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| D. Palmer Seed | 2N | 38,667 | 8 | 76 | 15 | 2 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 15.5 | 8.9 | 0.9 | 9.3 | Jubilee | |||
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| Entry: WX-28 |
Company | Description | Yield (lbs/acre) |
Melons per weight class (%) | |||
| 10 lbs |
>10-20 lbs |
>20-30 lbs |
>30 lbs | ||||
| Wilhite | Hybrid Triploid | 38,021 | 18 | 55 | 26 | 0 | |
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| Fruit Length (in.) | Width (in.) | Rind (in.) | Soluble Solids | Fruit Type | |||
| 17.0 | 8.4 | 0.8 | 8.9 | Allsweet, Jubilee, seedless | |||
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