agriculture,

forestry & fisheries

Department:
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
PRODUCTION GUIDELINES
(Citrullus lanatus)
PRODUCTION GUIDELINES
October 2011
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(Citrullus lanatus)
Disclaimer
This document has been compiled by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries and every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and thoroughness of
the information contained herein and all liability for any errors, omissions or inaccura-
cies in such information and data, whether attributable to inadvertence or otherwise.
The Department of Agriculture, therefore, accepts no liability that can be incurred
resulting from the use of this information.
2011
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Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Compiled by
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CONTENT
General aspects ................................................................................... 1
Cultivation practices ............................................................................. 5
Post-havest handling ............................................................................ 20
Production schedule ............................................................................. 22
Utilisation .............................................................................................. 23
References ........................................................................................... 24
1
GENERAL ASPECTS
Classication
Scientific name: Citrullus lanatus
Common names: Watermelon
Family name: Cucurbitaceae
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a warm, long-season crop. Watermelon
has been marginally competitive in the 2000 to 2003 production seasons
as a vegetable crop. Production has declined in the past years. Some
decrease has been the result of increased yields. However, much of the
decline was the result of reduced consumer demand, leading to the sale
of poor-quality melons. Efforts at many research stations have helped
reverse the trend toward reduced per capita consumption of watermelon.
To show a profit, a grower must produce good yields of high-quality mel-
ons, something that can be obtained only with careful management.
Origin and distribution
Watermelon is now widespread in all tropical and subtropical regions of
the world and is mostly grown for fresh consumption of the juicy and sweet
flesh of mature fruit. Locally known in the country as legapu (Setswana)
it is one of the most popularly grown fruit vegetables in the country today
during summer.
The culture of watermelons goes back to prehistoric times. The water-
melon was cultivated in ancient Egypt and verified by David Livingstone
(the noted missionary explorer) in the 1850s when he found great tracts
of watermelon (called kengwe) growing wild in the Kalahari desert and
semitropical regions of Africa. Even today, in semi-desert districts of Africa
watermelons are cultivated as an important source of water during dry pe-
riods. Watermelon was widely distributed throughout the remainder of the
world by African slaves and European colonists. It was carried to Brazil,
the West Indies, Eastern North America, the islands of the Pacific, New
Zealand and Australia. Written records indicate that watermelons were
cultivated in Massachusetts as early as 1629, before 1664 by the Florida
Indians, in 1673 in the Midwest, in 1747 in Connecticut (from seeds that
originated in Russia), in 1799 by Indian tribes along the Colorado River
and in 1822 in Illinois. Watermelons are currently grown on all continents
throughout the warm regions of the world.
2
Major production areas in South Africa
Production requirements
Watermelons lend themselves well to small-scale and part-time farming
operations. There are multiple markets for growers with 2 ha or less and
many field operations, such as land preparation, planting and harvesting,
can be custom hired.
South Africa
Locally watermelon is planted in most warm areas of the country,
Mpumalanga Lowveld, Limpopo, North West and in some parts of the
Eastern Cape.
Description of the plant
Watermelons are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes
squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, muskmelons and gourds. Individual plants
produce both male and female flowers and fruit size varies from 2 to 14 kg,
depending on variety. However, seedless varieties will require pollinators.
Botany
Watermelon grows as a vine that sends out long runners along the ground.
ROOTS
The watermelon root system formation begins prior to emergence of coty-
ledons to the soil surface and reaches maximum extension by the time of
flowering. Watermelon features a highly branching taproot extending up to
1 m deep into the soil. Some 15, occasionally more, lateral roots branch
from the main root.
STEM
The stem is a long, trailing vine reaching, in some seasons, 5 m and more
in length, highly branched; forming secondary side shoots which, in turn,
branch out. The vines, especially the younger shoots, are covered with
long, woolly hairs protecting the plant from overheating.
LEAVES
Watermelon leaves are dark green, with prominent veins. They have three
large lobes, each further divided into smaller lobes. Watermelon leaves
3
are heart shaped with three to seven lobes per leaf and are produced on
trailing vines.
FLOWERS
Watermelon flowers are yellow, five-petalled flowers about 1 cm in di-
ameter (smaller than some of the other vine fruit). Watermelon vines like
squash, pumpkin and cucumber have separate male and female flowers
on the same plant. Plants are monoecious with yellow flowers that are ap-
proximately 3 cm in diameter.
FRUIT
Fruit shape and appearance are quite
varied, ranging from round to cylin-
drical and a single colour to various
striped patterns on the fruit surface.
Watermelon fruit is very large, smooth
and oval to round. The skin can be
solid green or green striped with yel-
low. The edible flesh is usually pink
4
with many flat, oval,
black seeds through-
out. Seedless varie-
t i es al so exi st , as
well as types with or-
ange, yellow or white
flesh. Small icebox
watermelons weigh
3 kg to 4 kg and are
produced early. They
are wel l sui t ed f or
local sale and home
gardens.
Cultivars
Selecting the best watermelon variety is the most important decision made
by a producer. Planting a variety that is not suited for the available market
and the particular production situation leads to lower profits or possibly
crop failure. In addition to market acceptability, a variety must have accept-
able yield, be adapted to the production area and have the highest level of
needed pest resistance available.
Light-green and grey-green watermelons are less subject to sunburn injury
than dark-green and striped varieties. Resistance to races of Fusarium
wilt and anthracnose disease is an important varietal characteristic to
consider. Most varieties have varying levels of resistance to one or more
races of Fusarium wilt and/or anthracnose. Resistance to race 2 anthrac-
nose disease, the prevailing race, is not available. Black Diamond, Texas
Giant, Florida Giant, and Tendergold are not disease resistant. None of the
watermelon varieties are resistant to all races of Fusarium or anthracnose,
so these diseases can occur even though a variety is usually referred to
as being resistant. No varieties are known to have insect or nematode
resistance.
The major watermelon varieties and types produced are Charleston Gray
strains, Crimson Sweet, Jubilee, Allsweet, Royal Sweet, Sangria, triploid
seedless, and Black Diamond types. Brief descriptions of several varieties
grouped by rind colour and fruit shape characteristics are listed below. All
are red-fleshed watermelons, unless noted otherwise. The weights are
average market sizes.
5
Climatic requirements
Temperature
Watermelons are sensitive to cold temperatures and even a mild frost
can severely damage the crop. The best average temperature range for
watermelon production during the growing season is between 18C and
35C. Temperatures above 35C or below 10C will slow the growth and
maturation of the crop.
Soil requirements
Site and soil
Watermelons grow best on non-saline sandy loam or silt loam soils. Light-
textured fields warm up faster in the spring and are therefore favoured for
early production. Very sandy soils have limited water-holding capacities
and must be carefully irrigated and fertilised to allow for high yield poten-
tial. Clay soils are generally avoided for watermelon culture, but they can
be productive if irrigated with care to prevent prolonged saturation of the
root zone (a condition that favours the development of root rot pathogens)
and to allow good drainage between irrigations. The soil should have a pH
of 5,8 to 6,6.
CULTIVATION PRACTICES
Propagation
Watermelon transplants can be planted into the field after all danger of frost
has passed and when the soil temperature is at least 15C. Transplants
can be planted with a tractor-pulled mechanical transplanter or by hand.
Soil preparation
Fields should be prepared thoroughly by plowing and harrowing and re-
moving the different types of plant debris. It should also be pulverised and
levelled; furrows are made 2 m apart.
Watermelon is known to be sensitive to manganese toxicity, a frequent
problem in low pH soils. Further research studies indicate an association
between high leaf manganese concentration and poor growth and yield
of watermelon. Seedling watermelons react to manganese toxicity with
stunted growth and yellowish, crinkled leaves. Older plants generally ex-
6
hibit brown spots on older leaves that may be mistaken for symptoms of
gummy stem blight.
Manganese toxicity is usually associated with soils having a pH below 5,5.
However, in wet seasons the condition may occur at higher pH levels when
the soil has been saturated for a period of several days. This condition has
been noted in several watermelon fields with pH ranges at 5,8 or slightly
higher when the crop was planted flat. Planting watermelons and other
cucurbits on a bed is good insurance against manganese toxicity during a
wet season.
The best solution to manganese toxicity is to apply lime in autumn at rates
based on the results of a soil test. A pH of 6,0 should be maintained for
maximum yields.
Planting
Planting period
In the winter rainfall area it is planted in September and October, in the
Limpopo and Mpumalanga Lowveld from June to August, and in the rest of
the country from August to October. The crop matures three months after
planting, and the yield varies from five to 72 t/ha.
Days to maturity
It is usually 80 to 90 days for baby bush varieties and 90 to 100 days or
more for the larger varieties.
Spacing
SEEDED WATERMELON
In large-scale production, few seeded varieties are currently grown.
Watermelons are planted on flat beds 2 m wide and 20 cm to 30 cm high.
In direct-seeded plantings, seed is placed 1,2 cm to 1,9 cm deep. After
thinning and side-dressing, furrows are re-formed to the condition prior to
furrow irrigation. For transplants, a single drip irrigation tape is laid 15 cm
to 20 cm below the bed surface. Black plastic film, 1,8 m wide, is then laid
flat on 2-m beds to heat the soil and reduce weeds. Seeds or transplants
are then planted directly through the plastic. Transplants are set 60 cm to
90 cm apart. About 15 cm of the plastic is covered with soil at the edges to
hold the mulch in place.
7
SEEDLESS WATERMELON
Common seedless watermelon planting configurations are 1row of the
seeded variety (pollinator) for every 2 to 3 rows of the seedless variety.
However, other novel configurations are being used. The most popular
is the mixing of seedless and pollinator varieties within the same row. In
within-row plantings, the ratio of seedless to pollinator plants ranges from
2:1 to 5:1. As the seedless to pollinator ratio increases, the number of
beehives should be increased to ensure pollination.
Seeding rate
The seeding rate is 16 to 25 seeds per 10 m
2
(1,03,0 kg/ha).
Fertilisation
Field fertilisation
Watermelon has moderate nutrient requirements compared to other veg-
etable crops, and because of its deep rooting it is efficient in extracting
nutrients from the soil. A high-yield watermelon crop will typically contain
less than 180 kg/ha of nitrogen (N) in its biomass, and, because most soils
supply some nitrogen, the application of nitrogen beyond this quantity is
seldom warranted. The phosphorus (P) fertiliser requirement is a function
of soil test phosphorus level and soil temperature at the time of planting.
Soils with greater than 20 ppm bicarbonate extractable phosphorus require
little or no phosphorus fertilisation. Soils below this level may require as
much as 168 kg/ha of P
2
O
5
, with phosphorus requirement increasing in
colder soil and with lower soil test value. Soils with more than 120 ppm ex-
changeable potassium (K) can support high-yield watermelon production
without fertilisation, although a maintenance application of up to 168 kg/ha
of K
2
O can be used to maintain long-term soil fertility. Soils below 120 ppm
exchangeable potassium should be fertilised with up to 68 kg/ha of K
2
O to
ensure peak production.
Phosphorus should be applied preplant. Potassium application can be
made preplant, after planting, as a side-dress application, or delivered in
irrigation water (fertigation). Nitrogen application is typically split between
a small preplant and one or more in-season applications. In drip-irrigated
culture, small weekly nitrogen fertigations may be used to time nitrogen
delivery to crop uptake rate.
8
Irrigation
Although watermelon is a deep-rooted crop able to tolerate a significant
degree of soil moisture stress, peak production requires timely irrigation.
After crop establishment (either by seed or transplant), irrigation may be
withheld for a period of several weeks to encourage deep rooting. However,
irrigation should be managed to minimise water stress throughout the fruit-
set and fruit-sizing periods. Water stress during early fruit development
can result in small, misshapen fruit and the occurrence of blossom-end
rot (a physiological disorder in which the blossom end of a fruit ceases to
grow and becomes dark and leathery). As harvest time approaches care
must be taken to avoid large fluctuations in soil moisture content, as heavy
irrigation (or rainfall) can result in fruit splitting.
In the past, watermelon was usually irrigated by the furrow method; ir-
rigation was applied based on soil moisture status. In recent years, many
growers have adopted drip irrigation. Drip irrigation lines are typically bur-
ied in the centre of the soil beds. The irrigation system may be renovated
each production season or left in place for a number of years, depending
on the growers management scheme and crop rotation. Drip irrigation
scheduling is determined by potential evapotranspiration (ETo) estimates
and crop growth stage; frequency of irrigation can vary from once a week
early in the season to daily during times of peak water demand. Some
growers use drip irrigation lines placed in every other furrow after crop
establishment. While this approach may not provide the full yield potential
of a buried, in-row system, it does provide improved irrigation control
compared to furrow irrigation, and the system is portable, which eliminates
management issues associated with crop rotation. Regardless of irrigation
technique, care must be taken to minimise wetting of the bed tops. Fruit in
contact with moist soil may develop unsightly ground spots and fruit rots.
Weed control
Shallow mechanical cultivation and hand hoeing are needed to control
weeds before plants have vined. Pruning roots and vines with cultivating
equipment slows melon development and reduces yield. Several pre-
emergence herbicides are available that will control germinating broadleaf
weeds and grasses in seeded and transplanted watermelons if used prop-
erly. Chemicals are economical when used as narrow-band applications
in the planted row. Other chemicals can be used as a lay-by application
between the rows before vines begin to run.
9
Herbicides are applied with shallow incorporation and transplants are
placed with the roots below the treated zone. Post-emergence herbicides
are used to control grasses. Methyl bromide was commonly used in the
past in field fumigations, but currently metam sodium is used for preplant
weed suppression.
Pest control
Seedcorn maggot
Description: The seedcorn maggot (Hylemya platura) is the larva of a
fly that resembles a housefly. The larvae are yellowish-white, 0,25 cm
long when fully grown, legless and wedge-shaped with a pointed head.
The pupae are brown, 0,20 cm long, cylindrical in shape and rounded at
both ends. The flies are dark grey, 0,20 cm long and their wings are held
overlapping their bodies while at rest. This pest can be potentially serious
every year.
Life cycle: These pests overwinter as dark pupae in the soil. The adult flies
emerge in April. They are attracted to areas with high levels of organic mat-
ter where they lay their eggs. These areas include fall-seeded cover crops
that have been disked within three weeks of planting. Once the eggs hatch,
the pale yellowish-white, legless maggots begin tunnelling into the newly
planted seeds. There are three generations a year, but the first generation
larvae which feed between 13 April and 1 June are the most damaging.
Damage: Damaged seeds may fail to germinate or may produce stunted
plants.
Management: If seedcorn maggots have been a problem in past years,
several steps to prevent future outbreaks include the disking or plowing
cover crops into the soil at least four weeks before planting. This allows
the organic matter to decompose before the seeds are planted. Planting
should be done in warm soils to speed up germination and to shorten the
period that the crop is susceptible to damage. Insecticidal seed treatment
must follow if plowing cover crops early enough is difficult and when the
soil is too cool for rapid germination. Scouting is not recommended be-
cause there are no control measures once an outbreak occurs.
Striped and spotted beetles
Description: Striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum) and spotted
cucumber beetles (Cerotoma trifurcata) are serious pests of watermelon
10
crops. Both insects are yellow-green in colour and 0,20 cm long. The
striped cucumber beetle has three black stripes running the length of its
back while the spotted has 12 black spots on its back. The adult striped
cucumber beetle resembles the corn rootworm beetle, which can often be
found feeding on the pollen of cucurbit blossoms later in the summer. The
cucumber beetle has a black abdomen while the corn root worm has a
yellow-green abdomen.
Life cycle: Striped cucumber beetles overwinter as adults in protected
areas. They become active in mid to late May. After mating, the female
lays eggs in the soil at the base of cucurbits. The beetles are attracted to
the cucurbitacin produced by the plants. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae
feed on plant roots for two to three weeks. They pupate in the soil. Spotted
cucumber beetles do not overwinter. Adult beetles migrate into the state in
early to mid-July. Because they arrive later in the season, they pose less
of a problem than their striped counterparts.
Damage: Feeding damage by the striped cucumber beetle larvae can stunt
or kill off seedlings or transplants. Adult beetles feed on the above-ground
plant parts and fruit. More importantly, these beetles spread the bacteria
that cause bacterial wilt. This disease plugs the water-conducting vessels
of the plant, eventually resulting in plant die off. The adult cucumber bee-
tles are such efficient carriers (vectors) of the bacteria that serious crop
damage can occur even if only 10% of the beetles are infective.
Management: Scouting the fields two to three times a week early in the
season for early migrants and the early emergence of the overwintering
population is necessary. Beetles are usually localised in the field and spot
treatments are effective. Some growers plant a row of vine crops near the
upwind edge of the field on yellow or gold plastic mulch. This coloured
mulch attracts cucumber beetles to the crops in that row where they can be
killed or removed. Watermelon is not susceptible to bacterial wilt, so treat-
ment should only be done to prevent heavy feeding damage. Insecticides
kill bees, so spraying late in the day or at night protect these important
pollinators. Discontinue treatments after the initial peak declines as the
insecticides may reduce fruit set or cause flowers to abort.
The silverleaf whitey
Bemisia tabaci Biotype B (also known as B. argentifolii) causes direct feed-
ing damage to watermelon and fruit contamination via honeydew deposits
that support growth of sooty moulds. Silverleaf whitefly is also a vector of
11
two virus diseases (Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder and Cucurbit leaf
crumple) that affect watermelon yield and quality.
CONTROL MEASURES
In cases of serious infestations, it may be a good idea to replace infested
plants with plants that are not attacked by whiteflies. Destroy infested
weeds around the area. Pigweed, ground cherry, and bindweed are known
to support silverleaf whiteflies. Transplants should be inspected for white-
flies before bringing them into an unaffected area. Vegetable plants should
be destroyed at harvest to eliminate potential hosts.
On the mainland, planting times may be adjusted so that seasonal high
populations of silverleaf whiteflies or migrating silverleaf whiteflies can be
avoided.
Aphids (primarily Aphis gossypii)
Aphids do not cause serious direct injury to cucurbits, but various species
of aphids can transmit virus diseases to cucurbits. The use of resistant va-
rieties is the only reliable control measure for diseases caused by viruses.
Aphid feeding may result in leaf distortion. Honeydew (a special name for
faecal matter of aphids) may also serve as a growing medium for sooty
mould, a fungus that can disfigure the fruit with black blotches.
CULTURAL CONTROL
Reflective mulches may help to repel aphids while also providing horti-
cultural benefits.
Separate later planted fields from existing fields.
Natural enemies will help keep aphid populations in check but will be
less effective in very hot weather when aphids reproduce rapidly. Refrain
from using broad-spectrum insecticides.
Eliminate virus host plants such as burdock, pokeweed and other peren-
nial broadleaf weeds.
MATERIALS APPROVED FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTION
Unless virus diseases are a problem, such as in late crops, aphid control
is generally not needed. Even in this case, the best control is to eliminate
virus host crops, rather than treat for aphids and cutworms.
12
Squash bug (Anasa tristis)
The squash bug sucks sap from the leaves and stems of squash and wa-
termelon and causes the leaves to wilt and then turn black and crisp. This
insect can also feed directly on the fruit and cause severe damage. The
adults are dark grey. They live through the winter in protected areas both
under debris in the fields and in buildings and lay eggs on the underside of
leaves in the spring and summer. The eggs hatch into light-green or grey
nymphs that congregate on leaves or fruit.
CULTURAL CONTROL
Different cucurbits vary in their susceptibility.
Crop rotation and sanitation are very important. Avoid leaving cucurbit
crop debris available for overwintering sites. Till debris under in the fall
and plant a cover crop. Keep headlands mowed. Next year plant cucur-
bits in a new field.
During the summer, adults tend to congregate under shelter at night.
Place boards on the soil surface near the squash bugs in the evening
and the next morning collect and destroy the pest.
Destroy egg masses on the underside of leaves.
A parasitic fly, Trichopoda pennipes, affects adult squash bugs and sev-
eral wasps parasitise the eggs. Provide a habitat for these in or near the
field.
If squash bugs are a problem on your farm, avoid heavy mulch or no-till
in susceptible crops such as zucchini. Squash bugs like shelter and ap-
pear more numerous in reduced tillage or mulched crop systems.
MATERIALS APPROVED FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTION
Pyrethrum on young nymphs
Neem (two of three recent studies show good control)
Disease control
Watermelons are susceptible to several diseases that attack the roots, foli-
age and fruit. Disease control is essential in the production of high-quality
watermelons. A preventive programme that combines the use of cultural
practices, genetic resistance and chemical control as needed usually pro-
vides the best results.
13
Cultural practices are useful for limiting the establishment, spread and
survival of pathogens that cause watermelon diseases.
Many of the fungal, bacterial and nematode pathogens survive in old crop
debris and in soil. Fields should be rotated with non-cucurbit crops for at
least three years to reduce pathogen levels.
Grass crops are ideal for rotations where nematodes are a problem. Fields
with the proper soil characteristics should be selected.
Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahlia and V. alboatrum)
This disease may be a problem. Verticillium wilt causes yellowing of the
foliage and wilting. In severe cases entire plants may die off.
Fungicides are generally not economical for control of Verticillium wilt.
The disease may be controlled through the use of resistant cultivars and
pathogen-free plants. Among the recommended cultural measures for
preventing the disease are: removal of diseased plants or plant debris and
the careful use of nitrogen containing fertilisers. Soil solarisation (by cover-
ing the soil with transparent polythene sheets during summer) in sunny
climates also can be helpful. The method could be applied with low doses
of soil fumigants.
Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. neveum)
Race 1 is present in many soils. It typically affects runners on one side
of the plant, but in advanced stages it may cause the wilting of the entire
plant. Watermelon varieties with resistance to Fusarium Race 1 are avail-
able but may be ineffective in soils with a high Fusarium Race 1 popula-
tion. The reduction in canopy coverage that occurs in response to infection
by soilborne pathogens exposes fruit to sunburn.
CONTROL MEASURES
Avoid acid soils or fields with a history of Fusarium wilt or root rots/vine
declines. Late plantings should not be situated nearby and downwind of
early planted cucurbit fields where foliar or virus diseases already exist.
Avoid the movement of contaminated soil or plant debris into clean fields
on workers or equipment. Diseases such as anthracnose, bacterial fruit
blotch, gummy stem blight, and Fusarium wilt are known to be carried
on seed. This can lead to rapid disease development and spread in
14
greenhouse transplant production and to the introduction of diseases
into fields. Purchase seed from reputable sources and apply a fungicide
seed treatment prior to planting. Carefully inspect plants to ensure only
healthy ones are transplanted into fields. Most foliar diseases are spread
by water-splash or are favoured by long periods of leaf wetness.
Use drip irrigation or avoid frequent sprinkler irrigation with small
volumes of water. Finally, use tillage practices that promote the rapid
decomposition of old vines and melons soon after harvest.
The use of disease-resistant varieties is an economical means of con-
trolling diseases. Several varieties have resistance to Fusarium wilt.
Powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii)
This disease can rapidly cover leaves, causing reduced crop growth and
premature defoliation. Subsequently, losses in fruit yield and quality (owing
to sunburn) may occur. Repeated fungicide applications are often neces-
sary to avoid economic damage owing to powdery mildew. Selection and
rotation of effective fungicides is critical for controlling powdery mildew
epidemics, especially in growing areas where fungicide resistance in the
P. xanthii population has been reported.
Charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) and Monosporascus vine
decline (Monosporascus cannonballus)
These soilborne diseases are most often observed when temperatures are
high and plants are stressed. Both diseases frequently occur in the desert.
Death of crown leaves combined with grey stem lesions are symptoms
associated with charcoal rot. Monosporascus vine decline may cause
complete canopy collapse when fruit are two to three weeks from harvest.
Structures diagnostic for M. cannonballus can be seen as small, black,
round structures protruding from the dead root tissue of affected plants.
CONTROL MEASURES
There are no control measures currently recommended for charcoal rot.
Cultural practices such as rotation, deep plowing and maintenance of soil
moisture have not been effective. There has been little or no effective
disease control by using solarisation or fumigation. Charcoal rot may be
found in the same fields at the same time as Monosporascus vine decline,
and control measures recommended for this vine decline may also be
beneficial in reducing charcoal rot.
15
Aphid-transmitted viruses
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ringspot virus (PRSV-W), water-
melon mosaic virus (WMV) and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) are
aphid-transmitted viruses that cause leaf distortions and mosaics. Yield
losses are mostly associated with mixed infections (two or more viruses)
and virus transmission at early stages of crop development.
In addition to mineral oil sprays to interfere with virus transmissions and
insecticides to control aphid populations, resistant cultivars can effectively
control WMV.
Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV)
This vrus is transmitted by the whitefly. This virus causes severe yellowing
of the leaves and is moved in symptomless watermelon transplants.
CULTURAL CONTROL
Destroying infected cucurbit plants and removing overwintering crops
early in the spring prior to the emergence of adult whiteflies may prove
useful. To be effective, this sort of control measure should be applied over
an entire area and preferably where there is no continuous production in
glasshouses, as these are often the sites of whitefly activity and active
virus spread throughout the year. Weeds in and surrounding glasshouses
should also be destroyed as they could act as hosts for B. tabaci.
Sudden wilt
This disease is characterised by premature plant die off that frequently oc-
curs after fruit set. The precise cause is not well determined, but a complex
of environmental conditions and pathogen species, including Fusarium,
Rhizoctonia, and Pythium. may be implicated. Extreme waterlogging or
drought conditions that reduce plant resistance can contribute to water-
melon sudden wilt.
The disease is unpredictable. The development of the disease occurs so
quickly and without warning that control measures are impossible to imple-
ment. Practising long-term rotation (at least 2 to 3 years out of cucurbits)
to help prevent the build-up of these pathogens is best recommended. For
Pythium control, provide good drainage and avoid excessive soil moisture
by extending the intervals between irrigations and avoiding long irrigation
periods. Fungicides have not proven effective in controlling sudden wilt.
16
Foliar diseases
Management of foliar diseases such as anthracnose, downy mildew,
Cercospora leaf spot, and gummy stem blight may require fungicide
sprays. Fields should be monitored at least weekly for the early detec-
tion of disease. Late-planted fields are most vulnerable to foliar diseases.
Spray programmes should be initiated shortly after the first appearance of
disease or beginning at flowering to prevent disease in late plantings. A
14-day schedule has been effective in most instances, although a 7-day
schedule may be required where downy mildew is severe.
Other cultivation practices
Pollination
One to two bee colonies per hectare should be placed in the field when
male flowers begin to appear. Poor pollination often causes misshapen
fruit. A watermelon plant seldom produces more than two to three harvest-
able fruit. While it is too expensive to remove all excess fruit, misshapen
and split fruit may be selected in the field to allow the plants to channel
nutrients into producing marketable fruit. Care must be taken to prevent
the bee colonies from being exposed to pesticides.
Windbreaks and plant support
Soil preparation and fertiliser application well in advance of planting
promotes improved seedbed moisture and firmness. In addition to plow-
ing and disking, subsoiling beneath the row promotes deeper rooting in
soils having a compacted layer. Where winds are a problem, windbreaks
of fall-planted wheat or rye or spring-planted hybrid sudan will provide
some protection to young plants. The windbreak crop between the rows
is cultivated or disked out as the watermelon vines begin to run. A narrow
windbreak strip can be left standing between rows for wind protection later
in the season, but it should be undercut or killed with chemicals to reduce
competition with the watermelon crop.
It is important that the windbreak be early enough, wide and tall enough
to provide protection just after the watermelons emergence. Late-planted
windbreaks do little good when they are needed most. The greatest wind
protection is achieved close to the windbreak row. Little protection is
achieved when windbreaks under 1 m tall are farther than 9 m from the
watermelon plants.
17
Field scouting for plant and pest development
Fields should be scouted at least once a week after planting by walking
across the entire field in a V-shaped or X-shaped pattern and record-
ing plant development, and weed and insect occurrence and numbers.
Results of surveys will be needed to make decisions regarding projection
of harvest date, the need to bring in honeybees for pollination and pest
control.
If known, scout for diseases in areas of a field where diseases tend to
appear first. Otherwise, use the sampling plan outlined for insects. Some
foliar diseases will first appear where air circulation is reduced and leaves
remain wet, such as in low areas and along borders sheltered by trees.
Foliar diseases typically appear first on crown leaves close to the base of
the main stem. Shaded crown leaves often die off and can be mistakenly
identified as diseased. Root diseases tend to appear where the soil re-
mains wettest, such as in low-lying areas and in heavier soils.
Fruit pruning
Fruit pruning in watermelons should begin as soon as defective melons
are noticed. Remove misshapen and blossom-end rot fruit to promote
additional fruit set and better size of the remaining melons. If a market
demands larger melons, remove all but two or three well-shaped melons
from each plant. To avoid disease spread, do not prune melons when
vines are wet.
Physiological disorders
Physiological disorders are caused by non-pathogenic agents that affect
fruit quality. Usually, aesthetic quality is degraded. The cause can be either
one or a combination of environmental, genetic, or nutritional factors.
FRUIT DISORDERS
Misshapen melons (gourd-necked or bottlenecked) are frequently pro-
duced by varieties with long fruit. Moisture stress is a cause. Occasionally
melons of any variety may be misshapen because they lie on uneven
ground or were damaged while small in size.
Misshapen or pear-shaped fruit can also be caused by poor pollination
that leads to restricted growth at the stem end because of the absence
of developing seeds. Poor pollination can be minimised by increasing the
18
number of beehives in the field. Low temperatures can also cause mis-
shapen fruit.
Blossom-end rot is a deterioration of the blossom end of the fruit. The
usual order of development is softening, slight shrivelling, browning,
blackening with extensive shrivelling, and sometimes secondary decay.
Poor calcium nutrition and moisture stress cause blossom-end rot. Hot, dry
winds, nematode damage, excessive fertiliser, low levels of calcium in the
soil, pruned roots from late cultivations and other conditions are contribut-
ing factors.
Bursting may result from an uneven growth rate, which is particularly as-
sociated with heavy rainfall or irrigation when the fruit is maturing. The
percentage of bursted fruit is usually low, and types with round fruit are
more susceptible.
White heart is white streaks or bands of undesirable flesh in the heart
(centre) of the fruit. This is caused by excessive moisture (and probably
too much nitrogen) during fruit maturation.
Hollow heart is a disorder that varies among varieties. Hollow heart is
marked by cracks in the heart of the watermelon fruit owing to accelerated
growth in response to ideal growth conditions facilitated by ample water
and warm temperatures.
Sun scald (burn) results from exposure to intense solar radiation that leads
to dehydration and overheating damage of the rind tissue. Sun scald can
be alleviated by covering the fruit with vines or straw material.
Sunburn occurs most frequently in varieties that have dark-green rinds.
Charleston Gray types and other melons with grey-green rinds rarely suf-
fer from sunburn. Good, healthy foliage will minimise sunburn damage as
well as favour good yields and quality. Strong winds can blow unprotected
vines away from the developing fruit along the edges of the rows and
cause full exposure of the fruit to the sun.
Rind necrosis is an internal disorder of the watermelon rind. Symptoms
are brown, corky, or mealy textured spots on the rind which may enlarge
to form large bands of discoloration that rarely extend into the flesh.
Experienced pickers often can detect affected melons by the subtle knob-
biness that is visible on the surface of affected melons. The cause of rind
necrosis is unknown. Bacterial infection has been reported to be a cause,
although similar bacteria are found in healthy melons. Drought stress also
is reported to predispose melons to rind necrosis.
19
Cross stitches are elongated necrotic wounds (2 cm long) that are perpen-
dicular to fruit length. The cause of cross stitches is unknown.
Thinning
Thinning should be done on watermelon seedlings in each hill, namely two
seedlings one week after they have germinated.
Harvesting
Determi ni ng opti mum maturi ty of a watermel on can be di ffi cul t.
Watermelons reach harvest maturity five to six weeks after pollination,
depending upon variety and season. Varieties may differ in certain char-
acteristics that indicate maturity. An experienced person can identify a
ripe melon just by glancing at the glossy rind surface. Other indications of
ripeness include a change in the colour of the ground spot from white to
light yellow; a change of tendrils nearest the fruit from green to brown and
dry; thumping the fruit, a metallic, ringing sound indicates immaturity and a
more muffled or dull sound indicates maturity or overmaturity. Thumping is
a reliable method to detect overmaturity in round-shaped melons. The best
method is to cut a few melons in various parts of the field. Harvesting and
marketing green or overripe melons lessens the demand by the consum-
ing public. Sugar content does not increase after harvest; however, a red
colour will continue to develop after a slightly immature melon is picked.
Harvesting methods
Watermelons do not slip from the vine or emit an odour when ripening,
unlike muskmelons. Indicators for picking watermelons include colour
change (the most reliable), blossom-end conditions, rind roughness
and drying of the nearest tendril to the fruit (less reliable). A sharp knife
should be used to cut melons from the vines; melons pulled from the vine
may crack open. Harvested fruit is windrowed to nearby roadways, often
located 10 beds apart. A pitching crew follows the cutters and pitches the
melons from hand to hand, then loads them in trucks to be transported to a
shed. Melons should never be stacked on the blossom end, as excessive
breakage may occur.
Loss of foliage covering the melons can increase sunburn. Exposed
melons should be covered with vines, straw, or excelsior as they start to
mature to prevent sunburn. Each time the field is harvested, the exposed
melons must be re-covered. Most fields are picked at least twice. Some
20
fields may be harvested a third or fourth time, depending upon field condi-
tion and market prices.
Harvest recommendations
Melons should be cut from the vine rather than pulled, twisted, or broken
off to reduce the chances of stem decay. Leave a long stem on the fruit. To
avoid bruising melons, handle carefully at all times. Never stand melons
on end to avoid bruising and flesh separation from the rind. Do not place
melons with the bottom sides turned up as the ground spot is easily sun
scalded. Haul melons from the field in straw or paper-padded vehicles to
reduce bruising, punctures and rind abrasion. To help prevent bruising, do
not allow field hands to ride on top of the load. After harvest, load melons
directly into trucks for shipment to the market or haul them to a central
grading station for reloading and shipment. Melons are usually graded and
sized during the loading operation. Traditionally, melons have been bulk
hauled in trucks. The use of containers has gained popularity because
they are more efficient in unloading and damage related to rough handling
during loading and unloading is reduced. Bulk bins made of corrugated
fibreboard and holding around 450 kg as well as cartons holding three to
five melons are used.
Harvest indexes could be used
Tappinga dull or hollow sound is an indication of maturity.
Colourthe fruit part resting on the ground becomes a distinct yellow
patch as in sugar baby.
Tendril right behind each fruit is dried down up to the base.
POST-HARVEST HANDLING
Sorting and grading
Seeded melons are sorted and packed in large, sturdy, tri-wall fibreboard
containers. The melons are sorted according to grade: number 1, 6,4 to
11,8 kg, and number 2, 3,6 to 6,4 kg. Inferior melons may be sold at nearby
markets; rejects (discoloured, misshapen, sugar-cracked, blossom-end
rot and insect-damaged fruit) are discarded. Containers that hold 60 to
80 melons and weigh 500 kg to 545 kg are shipped on flatbed trucks to
terminal markets or wholesale receivers. The containers are covered to
prevent sunburn in transit.
21
Seedless melons are sorted according to size and packed in cartons con-
taining 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 fruit. Fours and fives are preferred sizes; sixes
and eights are common later in the season after the crown-set melons
have been removed from the vine. The rough gross weight of a carton is
18 kg to 23 kg. Seedless melons may also be sold in large bulk containers.
Personal seedless watermelons are sorted by size and packed in single-
layer boxes containing 6, 8, 9, or 11 fruit. Shipping boxes roughly weigh 15
kg and arranged 50 boxes per pallet.
Packaging
The seeded melons are sorted and packed in large, sturdy, tri-wall fibre-
board containers. The melons are sorted according to grade and number.
Bins hold 60 to 80 melons and will weigh 500 kg to 550 kg. Two-third bins
hold about 360 kg of melons. Discoloured, misshapen, sugar cracked,
blossom-end rot, and insect damaged fruit is regarded as culls, but still
may be sold to nearby markets.
The containers are loaded on flatbed, 18-wheel trucks destined for termi-
nal market resale. The tops of the containers should be covered to prevent
sunburn in transit. Watermelon sales usually are based upon a 1% to 2%
shrink, because of breakage. The buyer is responsible for supplying bins
and lids or the shipper will send a bill for the cost of these items.
Seedless watermelons are sorted according to size and packed in cartons
containing 4, 5, 6, or 8 fruit. Fours and fives are preferred sizes. Sixes
and eights are common later in the season after the crown-set melons
are removed from the vine. The rough weight of a carton is 18 kg to 23 kg.
Some bins and cartons have high-resolution graphics for logos that may
increase overall cost.
Storage
Watermelons are not adapted to long-term storage. Normally the upper
limit of suitable storageis about three weeks. However, this will vary from
variety to variety. Storage for more than two weeks triggers a loss in flesh
crispness.
Storing melons for several weeks at room temperature will result in poor
flavour. However, when fruit is held just a few days at warmer tempera-
tures, the flesh colour tends to intensify. Sugar content does not change
after harvest. Watermelons flesh will tend to lose its red colour if held too
long at temperatures below 10 C.
22
Watermelons may lose crispness and colour in prolonged storage. They
should be held at 10 C to 15 C and 90% relative humidity. Sugar content
does not change after harvest, but flavour may be improved because of a
drop in acidity of slightly immature melons. Chilling damage will occur after
several days below 5 C. The resulting pits in the rind will be invaded by
decay-causing organisms.
Market preparation
Watermelons usually are sold by the hundred-weight at harvest time. The
bulk of the commercial crop is shipped out. Many are sold from smaller
plantings through temporary or permanent roadside stands or at farmers
markets. Some growers sell their fields to shippers or brokers as harvest
time approaches. An important consideration in successful marketing
is to have adequate facilities for transporting the crop to market outlets.
Although earliness usually results in higher prices, quality and maturity
should be of prime importance in marketing watermelons.
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Activities
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Soil sampling
x x x
Soil preparation
x x x
Planting
x x x
Fertilisation
x x x
Irrigation
x x x
Pest control
x x x
Disease control
x x x
Weed control
x x x
Leaf sampling
x x x x
Harvesting
x x x
Marketing
x x x x x
23
UTILISATION
Uses
The entire watermelon is edible, even the rind. In places like China, the
watermelon is stir-fried, stewed and often pickled. In this case, the wa-
termelon is being used as a vegetable. Pickled watermelon rind is also
widespread in Russia (Wikipedia 2006).
Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by
botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind (exocarp) and fleshy
centre (mesocarp and endocarp). Pepos are derived from an inferior ovary
and are characteristic of the Cucurbitaceae. The watermelon fruit, loosely
considered a type of melonalthough not in the genus Cucumishas
a smooth exterior rind (green, yellow and sometimes white) and a juicy,
sweet interior flesh (usually pink, but sometimes orange, yellow, red and
sometimes green if not ripe). It is also frequently used to make a variety of
salads, most notably fruit salad.
Nutritional value
Sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most impor-
tant antioxidants in nature. Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C
and a very good source of vitamin A, notably through its concentration of
beta-carotene. Pink watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid
antioxidant, lycopene. These powerful antioxidants move through the body
neutralising free radicals. Free radicals are substances in the body that
can cause a great deal of damage. They are able to oxidise cholesterol,
24
making it stick to blood-vessel walls, where it can lead to heart attacks or
strokes. They can add to the severity of asthma attacks by causing the
airways to clamp down and close. They can increase the inflammation that
occurs in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and cause most of the joint
damage that occurs in these conditions, and they can damage cells lining
the colon, turning them into cancer cells. Fortunately, vitamin C and beta-
carotene are very good at getting rid of these harmful molecules and can
prevent the damage they would otherwise cause.
REFERENCES
MAYNARD, D. M. & HOCHMUTH, G.J. 2006. Knotts handbook for vegetable growers. 5th edition.
Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley and Sons.
LAMONT, W. J. JR., ORZOLEK, M.D., HARPER, J.K., JARRETT, A.R. & GREASER, G.L. 2002.
Agricultural alternatives: Drip irrigation for vegetable production. Penn State Cooperative
Extension: University Park.
ORZOLEK, M.D., GREASER, G.L. & HARPER, J.K. 2010. Agricultural Alternatives: Commercial
vegetable production guide. Penn State Cooperative Extension The Pennsylvania State
University.
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-44.html
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/vegetabl/vegetabl.htm
http://www.semena.org/agro/Arbuz1-e.htm
Further information can be obtained from:
Directorate Plant Production, Division: Vegetables
Private Bag X250
PRETORIA 0001
Tel +27 12 319 6072
Fax +27 12 319 6372
E-mail [email protected]