Horticulture Program

HORT-01-02

EVALUATION OF EASTERN STYLE MUSKMELONS FOR SOUTHERN OHIO, 2001

Brad R. Bergefurd, Extension Agent, Horticulture Thom C. Harker, Research Assistant, Horticulture Ohio State University Extension South Centers 1864 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio 45661-9749 Phone:  (740) 289-3727
This eastern style muskmelon cultivar trial compared 6 cultivars using 3 replications of each cultivar. Objectives were to evaluate potential muskmelon 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: Seeded 5/11/2001 into 50- cell Pro Trays using a peat-vermiculite soilless mix. Cells were thinned as needed to 1 plant per cell. Plants were field planted on June 19, 2001 using a Water Wheel Planter.
Spacing: Rows were 5 feet apart, with plants set onto raised beds at 36" spacing between plants in the row. Which provided a  plant density of 2,904 plants per acre.  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 6/11/01; hand-hoed and cultivated as necessary.
Pest Management:  2 fl oz/A of Admire 2F was added to 25 gallons of transplant water at planting. Pounce on 7/13, 8/23 at a rate of 5 fl oz./A ; Thiodan 3EC 1.3 qt/A 7/23, 8/02;  Bravo Ultrex 2 lb/A on 8/02,  8/23;  Quadris 15.4 oz/A  7/13, 7/23
Irrigation: Trickle irrigated on 7/26, 7/14,  8/3,  8/13
Harvests:  August 23rd and August 30th
      
RESULTS:

There was average fruit set and yield throughout the harvest season. Bacterial Wilt, a disease vectored by the cucumber beetle became increasingly prevalent towards the end of our harvest. Harvest yield and quality attributes were collected and observed.  

 The cultivar PXC 221 was the muskmelon producing the largest amount of marketable fruit per plant for early season harvest.  RML 8726-VP had the largest average fruit weight, also with the largest pounds of fruit per plant. 

The cultivar PXC 221 was the muskmelon producing the largest amount of marketable fruit per plant for the total growing season.  Minerva had the largest average fruit weight of the muskmelon that were on trial this year.  Athena had the highest percent of soluble solids of the muskmelons cultivars. 

With field trials similar to this, Muskmelon crops can fit into the production scheme for southern Ohio growers. The growing season and average daily heat units seem to be adequate to produce a high quality melon crop. The long range goal is to utilize the existing agricultural infrastructure of southern Ohio to introduce these muskmelon cultivars as an alternative crop for Southern Ohio producers.
Table 1. Early Harvest from replicated Melon Cultivar Evaluation Trial: Ohio State University South Centers, Hillsboro, Ohio 2001

 

Marketable

Marketable

Average

Seed

Cultivar

Fruit per Plant

lbs. per  Plant

Fruit Weight

Source

PXC 221

1.60

8.62

5.68

SI

Odyssey

1.40

9.58

7.21

SI

RML 8726-VP

1.33

10.47

7.91

SY

Athena

1.20

6.27

5.21

SY

Minerva

0.27

1.88

4.71

SY

LSD

0.94

4.54

3.15

NA

Table 2.  Total Harvest from replicated Melon Cultivar Evaluation Trial: Ohio State University South Centers, Hillsboro, Ohio 2001

 

Marketable

Marketable

Average

% Soluble

Seed

Cultivar

Fruit per Plant

lbs. per  Plant

Fruit Weight

Solids

Source

PXC 221

2.33

11.13

4.72

10.00

SI

RML 8726-VP

1.93

12.55

7.03

8.47

SY

Odyssey

1.80

12.02

7.12

8.87

SI

Athena

1.80

8.72

4.96

11.63

SY

Minerva

1.60

11.32

7.15

7.43

SY

SXM 7204

1.27

5.90

4.94

5.57

SS

LSD

1.13

4.80

1.91

NA

NA

 

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