Muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L. cvs. Superstar and Mission) transplants were grown in seedling flats with individual cells ranging in volume from 7 to 100 cm 3 . The smallest cells were in a 338-cell polystyrene flat 33 cm wide × 66 cm long × 4.75 cm deep; the largest cells were in a 32-cell plastic flat 30.5 × 50.8 × 6.5 cm. The study was conducted in Florida and Indiana during the 1993 and 1994 growing seasons. Seedlings of uniform age were transplanted to the field and grown to maturity using standard cultural practices. Early yield of `Superstar' muskmelon, measured as number of fruit per plot or percentage of total yield, increased as transplant cell volume increased. In one trial, plants from 7-cm 3 cells produced no early yield, while plants from 100-cm 3 cells produced 40% of the total yield in the first three harvests. In three of the four trials, total yield of `Superstar' increased as cell volume increased. Marketable early yield of `Mission' muskmelon, measured as number or weight per plot, increased as cell volume increased in three of four trials. In Florida, total yield of `Mission' also increased as cell volume increased. Size of `Superstar' fruit was not influenced by cell volume. In Florida, size of early `Mission' fruit increased as cell volume increased.
Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of soil applied (Carbofuran) Furadan on watermelon and cantaloupe yields. Yields were significantly (p≤ 0.05) greater when Furadan was used than when it was not. The observed yield increases may have been due to factors other than just the insecticidal properties. Other systemic insecticides demonstrated no similar increase in yield. Yield increases were also evident even when plants were grown in sterile soil. Yield increase was due to a significant increase in the first harvest of watermelon and the first three harvests of cantaloupe. Numbers of fruit and average wt/fruit were increased for watermelon at the first harvest. Midwest growers usually receive the highest price per pound of watermelon at the first harvest. This significant increase in early harvest more than pays for the application of the chemical.
Muskmelons (Cucumis melo L. cv. Superstar) were grown at two between-row spacings (1.5 m or 2.1 m) and four in-row spacings (0.6, 0.9, 1.2, or 1.5 m), corresponding to populations from 3074 to 10763 plants ha -1 , to determine the influence of row spacing and population on melon growth and yield. The study was conducted at two sites in 1993, one in northern and one in southern Indiana. Numbers of flowers and early season vine growth were not significantly different between treatments. In southern Indiana, the number of fruit harvested per plot increased as in-row spacing decreased; means ranged from 5.2 fruit plot-1 for 0.6 m in-row spacing, to 4.7 fruit for 0.9 m in-row spacing, 3.9 fruit for 1.2 m in-row spacing, and 3.3 fruit for 1.5 m in-row spacing. Harvests were significantly earlier for the 0.6 m in-row spacing. Mean melon weight was significantly greater for 1.5 m in-row spacing, averaging 4.1 kg, compared to 3.8, 3.7, and 3.7 kg for 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 m in-row spacings, respectively. Between-row spacing did not affect number or weight of melons. There were no significant interactions between in-row and between-row spacings.
Muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L. cvs. Superstar and Mission) transplants were grown in seedling flats with individual cells ranging in volume from 7 to 100 cm 3 . The smallest cells were in a 338-cell polystyrene flat 33 cm wide × 66 cm long × 4.75 cm deep; the largest cells were in a 32-cell plastic flat 30.5 × 50.8 × 6.5 cm. The study was conducted in Florida and Indiana during the 1993 and 1994 growing seasons. Seedlings of uniform age were transplanted to the field and grown to maturity using standard cultural practices. Early yield of `Superstar' muskmelon, measured as number of fruit per plot or percentage of total yield, increased as transplant cell volume increased. In one trial, plants from 7-cm 3 cells produced no early yield, while plants from 100-cm 3 cells produced 40% of the total yield in the first three harvests. In three of the four trials, total yield of `Superstar' increased as cell volume increased. Marketable early yield of `Mission' muskmelon, measured as number or weight per plot, increased as cell volume increased in three of four trials. In Florida, total yield of `Mission' also increased as cell volume increased. Size of `Superstar' fruit was not influenced by cell volume. In Florida, size of early `Mission' fruit increased as cell volume increased.
Field experiments were conducted to quantify the effect of Ca supplied as gypsum in factorial combination with watermelon [Citrullus launatus (Thumb) Matsum and Nakai] cultivars Charleston Gray, Crimson Sweet, and Tri-X Seedless on yield and the elemental concentration of leaf and rind tissue. Also, the effect that ontogenetic changes and sectional differences had on the elemental concentration in rind tissue was investigated. The experiments were conducted at two locations in Oklahoma. Yield was not affected by Ca; however, mean melon weight was reduced at 1120 kg Ca/ha. Leaf Ca concentration increased linearly in response to Ca rate. `Tri-X Seedless' had lower leaf Ca and higher K concentrations than did `Charleston Gray' or `Crimson Sweet'. Fruit ontogeny (days from anthesis) and melon section (blossom or stem-end) interacted to affect elemental concentrations in the rind tissue. There was also a significant genotypic effect on elemental concentration in rind tissue. Increasing rates of Ca applied to soil reduced the incidence of-blossom-end rot (BER) in `Charleston Gray' melons. Calcium treatment did not affect flesh redness or soluble solids concentration (SSC) of watermelon.
Abstract The efficacy of several insecticides was investigated in a test with small plots of watermelon grown on a clay laom soil at the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station near Stillwater. Plots were established on 18 May by transplanting seedling plants into plastic mulch. Experimental plots were 30 ft long by 10 ft wide, arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated 4 times. A single insecticide application was made on 11 Aug, using a CO2 powered backpack sprayer delivering 30 gal/acre at 50 psi through 3 TX-18 hollow-cone nozzles Efficacy of treatments was assessed by randomly selecting 4 areas (1 m2) in each plot and counting squash bug nymphs on all plant parts and the mulch surface within each sample quadrant. Counts were made on 12 Aug (1 DAT), 15 Aug (4 DAT), and 18 Aug (7 DAT). Data were subjected to ANOVA and DMRT.
Six cultivars of subterranean clover, Geraldton, Yarloop, Woogenellup, Clare, Mount Barker, and Tallarook, were grown as ungrazed swards at 1,700 feet a.s.1. in the Mackenzie Country of South Canterbury, New Zealand. In this very frosty environment seed yields tended to increase with increasing lateness of flowering although Clare and perhaps Tallarook appeared to be more frost susceptible than the other cultivars. It is suggested that the deleterious effects of frosts in reducing the seed yields of subterranean clover may have been overemphasized in the past and that the trend for seed yields to increase with increasing lateness of flowering can be partially explained by differences in runner production.
Three cultivars of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), `Crimson Sweet', `Charleston Gray' and `Tri-X Seedless' were grown in combination with 4 levels of soil applied calcium (0, 280, 560, 1120 kg Ca/ha). Gypsum was incorporated into 6 m plots on 5 m centers then covered with black plastic mulch. Irrigation requirements were provided through a M-wall drip system and soil water status monitored with tensiometers. Transplants were spaced 1.2 m apart in-row spacing allowing for 5 plants per plot and replicated times. Rind tissue from mature watermelon fruit was divided into 4 sections, blossom-end, middle top, grounds spot and stem end. Each section was measured for resistance to shear and puncture by a Model T-1200-G texture and tenderometer system. Thickness was also measured. Lab determinations for total and extractable calcium on the sections was done to determine if there is a relationship between rind resiliency and calcium concentration. Data will be presented et the meeting.
Muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L. cvs. Superstar and Mission) transplants were grown in cellular seedling trays of polystyrene or styrofoam, with individual cells ranging in volume from 7 to 100 cm 3 , transplanted to the field, and grown to maturity in Florida and Indiana during the 1993 and 1994 growing seasons. Seedling leaf area, shoot and root weights before transplanting, and shoot dry weight 20 days after transplanting increased linearly with increasing cell volume in Florida. Thirty days after transplanting, vine length showed significant linear and quadratic trends with respect to cell volume in Indiana. In Florida, early and total yields increased linearly as transplant cell volume increased for `Mission' in both years and for `Superstar' in 1994. In Indiana, early yields increased linearly as transplant cell volume increased for `Mission' in 1994 and for `Superstar' in both years, but cell volume did not consistently affect total yield. Transplant tray effects on early and total yield unrelated to linear or quadratic effects of cell volume occurred in both locations, but these effects were not consistent.
