Watermelon – EDIS Update

Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum) of Watermelon

Fusarium wilt of watermelon is one of the most serious and difficult diseases to manage and occurs in most production regions worldwide. The fungus can be seedborne and has great longevity in the soil, allowing infested soil to also serve as a source of infection. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department signs, symptoms, and the disease cycle of Fusarium wilt and provides recommendations for cultural and chemical management. Written by Pamela Roberts, Nicholas Dufault, Robert Hochmuth, Gary Vallad, and Mathews Paret.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp352

Powdery Mildew on Watermelon in Florida

This 3-page document discusses the symptoms and management of powdery mildew, a problematic fungal disease, on watermelon in Florida. Written by Pamela D. Roberts, Mathews Paret, and Nicholas Dufault and published by the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department, January 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp342

Water Use for Seepage-Irrigated Watermelon with Plastic Mulch in Florida

In Florida, watermelon is an important crop that accounts for a significant part of the state’s agricultural water use. Depending on the type of production system and climate, the water use of this crop can vary. In Florida, watermelon is predominantly grown on raised plastic-mulched beds. To develop improved water management and allocation plans, accurate water use estimates for watermelon are needed. Seepage irrigation under plastic mulch is a common production system used to produce watermelon in south and northeast Florida where the water table is shallow. Plastic mulch alters the rainfall entry and soil temperature of the raised beds and can significantly affect evapotranspiration. As there is no information on seepage-irrigated watermelon grown on plastic mulch for subtropical Florida, this 4-page fact sheet summarizes the results from a crop water use study for the seepage-irrigated watermelon in south Florida. Written by Sanjay Shukla and Niroj K. Shrestha, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae510

Water Use for Drip-Irrigated Watermelon with Plastic Mulch in Florida

Watermelon is an important crop in Florida and accounts for a significant part of its agricultural water use. Watermelon is grown in open fields and on raised plastic-mulched beds, with the latter being the predominant production system in Florida. Accurate water use estimates for this crop are needed to develop better water allocation and management plans as well as for irrigation management. This publication summarizes the results from a crop water-use study for the drip-irrigated watermelon in south Florida. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Sanjay Shukla, Niroj K. Shrestha, Thomas A. Obreza, and Brian J. Boman, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae508

Water and Nitrogen BMPs for Tomato and Watermelon: Water Quality and Economics

Results of a two-year, four-crop-cycles experiment indicated that the recommended Best Management Practice (BMP) water and fertilizer nitrogen (N) rates for seepage-irrigated tomato in south Florida can reduce water use and N leaching to groundwater without adversely impacting yield. The same is true for watermelon for average rainfall conditions. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Sanjay Shukla, Gregory S. Hendricks, Fritz M. Roka, and Thomas A. Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, May 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae503

Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Watermelon

Florida is the only U.S. supplier of watermelons from December to April. Florida watermelons are harvested throughout the year, although the vast majority of production is harvested from May to July. This 26-page fact sheet profiles Florida watermelon crop production and pest management practices. Written by Wael M. Elwakil and Mark A. Mossler, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, August 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi031

Growth, Reduction, and Survival of Bacteria on Melon Types (FSHN1207/FS191)

From 1990 to 2000, over 700 cases of foodborne illness were associated with outbreaks due to melon consumption in the U.S. and Canada. Even with efforts to educate industry and consumers of safe produce-handling practices, in the last decade there were still over 1,100 documented illnesses associated with melon consumption. This 45-page fact sheet highlights the research that has been done to provide insight on possible sanitation methods and their efficacy in decontaminating melon types of foodborne pathogens as well as natural microflora. Written by Thao P. Nguyen, Michelle D. Danyluk, and Keith R. Schneider, and published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs191

Nutrient Mass Budget -The Case of Florida Watermelon Phosphorus Export (SL342/SS547)

Watermelon provides an interesting example of how the phosphorus nutrient balance on the farm has changed over time with changes to production practices and acreage. In this 4-page paper the calculations are described for the export of phosphorus from Florida in the state’s watermelon fruits. Written by George Hochmuth and Jerry Bennett and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss547

SL325/CV232 A Summary of N, P, and K Research with Watermelon in Florida

Revised! SL325, a 23-page illustrated fact sheet by George Hochmuth and Ed Hanlon, summarizes the historical Florida research literature on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization of watermelon. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, July 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cv232