Modesto, California
March, 2000
A
watermelon from Harris Moran Seed Company recently topped a yield
trial of seedless watermelon varieties.
Millionaire,
the standard for triploid watermelons, yielded a total harvest of
86,917 lbs/ac, compared to the nearest competitor -- 83,486 lbs/ac.
Conducted by the University of Delaware, the trial saw Millionaire
yielding an average weight of 16.3 lbs. Number of melons per acre
totaled 11,388, according to the trial data. Early harvest weight an
acre totaled 11,139 lbs; Mid harvest weight an acre tipped the scales
at 64,390 lbs for Millionaire;
and Late harvest weight tallied 11,388 lbs.
Cultural practices
Transplants were planted June 2. Researchers applied 500 lbs. of
10-10-10, then broadcast and incorporated it prior to laying plastic
mulch. They also applied 30 lbs. of N through the drip system on 26
June, July 9, July 24, and Aug. 7.
Three ounces of the herbicide Sinbar was applied pre-emergence. The
MELCAST Fungicide Application Model was used for fungicide
applications. Six fungicide applications of Bravo at 2 pts/A were
applied according to the model on June 18, June 26, July 11, Aug. 4,
Quadris (15.4 oz/A on Aug. 12 and Bravo on Aug. 18.
(Note: If fungicides were applied on a 7-day schedule, 10 applications
would have been made. If they were applied on a 10-day schedule, seven
applications would have been made. Approximately 1-4 sprays were saved
by using this method of fungicide application. At $15.68/A per
application, a savings of $15.86/A-$62.72/A was achieved by using the
model).
As for insecticide, Lannate was applied on Aug. 18 and Aug. 8 for
melon aphid control.
The seedless watermelons were harvested as they would be harvested
commercially on Aug. 10, Aug. 19, and Aug. 31.
The growing season was hot and dry. Disease pressure was light. The
plots did experience wind damage early after transplanting and ozone
damage as the vines began to run. Overall, 1998 was a very good
growing season.
Millionaire and Millennium
As
mentioned, Millionaire
bested the field in yield. And it's no wonder. Millionaire features
main season maturity and a thick rind. It has superior holding ability
both in the field and during shipment. The fruit is blocky in shape
with a traditional triploid stripe.
Millionaire has great interior quality with crisp dark pink flesh and
a low incidence of hollow heart. The vine is strong and is tolerant to
Fusarium and Anthracnose.
Along with Millionaire, another Harris Moran variety fared well.
Millennium,
yielded 71,758 lbs/ac with 5272 melons an acre with an average weight
of nearly 14 lbs. This triploid features a slight oval shape and a
dark green exterior that resists fading from the sun.
Maturity is very early and the interior quality is unsurpassed with
dark red, crisp flesh. The vine is very strong and the fruit set is
concentrated with very high yield potential. Company news release
N2616 |