This Watermelon cultivar trial compared 13 cultivars using 4 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 Enterprise Center research and demonstration plots in Hillsboro, Ohio.

Planting: Seeded 4/29/99 into 50-cell Pro Trays using a peat-vermiculite soil-less mix. Cells were thinned as needed to one plant per cell. Plants were field planted on June 18, 1999 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. Seven plants per plot (5' x 20') provided a plant density of approximately 3,080 plants per acre.

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, 8 oz. per plant) with transplanting water.

Weed Control: 4 pt. / Acre Curbit 3EC pre-plant between rows on 6/17/99; hand hoed and cultivated as necessary.

Pest Management: 2.5 fl. Oz. Furadan 4F per 1000 linear feet of row applied as a 7 inch spray band over the row prior to laying the plastic mulch. Pounce on 7/21 and 8/10 at a rate of 5fl oz./A; Sevin XLR 1 qt./A 7/29, 8/19; Bravo Ultrex 2 lb./A on 7/21/, 7/29, 8/10, 8/19.

Irrigation: Trickle irrigated on 6/22, 6/29, 7/11, 7/14, 7/28, 8/2, 8/13 and 8/23

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 had the largest average fruit weight for the season of the diploid melons.

Crimson Treat had the largest total number of marketable fruit per acre for the season and the Second highest percent of soluble solids.

The cultivar Tri-x 313 had the largest average fruit weight for the season of the triploid melons. Treasure Chest had the largest number of marketable fruit per acre for the season. The cultivar Tri-x Shadow had the highest percent of soluble Solids of the triploids.

With field trials similar to this, Watermelon crops can fit into the production scheme for Southern Ohio growers. The growing season and average daily heat units seem adequate to produce high quality melon crop.

Harvest (8/18 and 9/1)

Harvest (8/18 and 9/1)