Mario R. Morales and James E. Simon

Department of Horticulture, Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN 47907

and

Angie Thompson, Melborn K. Lang and Dennis Nowaskie

Southwest Purdue Agricultural Research Center

SWPAC, Vincennes, Indiana 47951

Introduction: Indiana remains a major watermelon producer for the Midwest. With the proliferation of new varieties, the increased competition and the need to maximize profitability/unit area, the identification of new varieties that are of high quality, high yielding and disease resistant as well as meet market expectations, is of importance to commercial growers. This trial, along with the seedless watermelon variety trial provides an objective and independent comparative assessment of new watermelons for the commercial industry. This year’s study included 29 seeded watermelons, with 13 named varieties, and 16 experimental lines.

Methods: Twenty-nine seeded melon cultivars were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Each entry was first direct seeded in the greenhouse on April 19, 1999 and transplanted into the field on May 15. Plots consisted of 55-foot long single rows, covered with 4 ft. black plastic mulch, with rows centered eight feet apart, 11 plants per row and 5 feet between plants. Each trial was grown in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers (ID-56, 2000). Trickle irrigation lines placed beneath the plastic mulch provided water as needed. Fruits were harvested from July 14 through August 15. Data was analyzed with the Purdue University VARTEST computer program for variety testing.

Results and Conclusions:

Yields and Quality. Yields ranged from 22.6 to 31.8 tons/acre with 1881 to 3201 fruit/acre harvested across all the entries (Table 1). Yields in tonnage and fruit number were higher this year than in the 1999 seeded watermelon trials. Average fruit weight was 21.7 lbs/fruit, ranging from 18.9 to 25.3 lbs/fruit. Highest yielders included: Stars N Stripes, ACX 5411, Fiesta, Star Brite, #800, Mardi Gras, RWM8074 and RWM8036. Most fruit were oblong to oval in shape and of medium size. Hollow heart was noted in many of the trailed varieties this summer including #820, #910, ACX 5411, EX 6931, RWM 8036, RWM 8110, as well as on Fiesta, Sangria and others, the latter being named melons that are not known to exhibit hollow heart or cracking under normal conditions. This suggested that even those experimental lines that exhibited cracking this year may still not be prone to it in most years. Star Gazer exhibited a slightly tapered end. Athens exhibited notably good taste/flavor and soluble solids scores. Celebration appeared promising. Seeded watermelon selection should be in large part based upon the size, shape and class of fruit to which your market is focused.

Randomized complete block design: 3 replications.