Southwest Indiana Muskmelon Trial 2013 Shubin K. Saha 1 and Larry Sutterer 2 1 Vegetable Extension Specialist, Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546 2 Agriculture Technician, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department, Purdue University, Southwest Purdue Agriculture Program, Vincennes, IN, 47591 Introduction In 2012, muskmelon production accounted for $10.5 million (18.5%) of the $56.8 million fresh market vegetable industry in Indiana (USDA, 2013). That season, 2,100 acres of muskmelons were harvested, ranking Indiana fifth in the United States (USDA, 2013). Muskmelon production requires thinking and planning by commercial producers. selection continues to be an important decision in the overall production system. Often, certain varieties perform better under different climatic environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate 15 muskmelon varieties for growth, yield, and fruit quality under Midwestern U.S. conditions. Materials and Methods The experiment was established April 16, 2013, when seeds of 15 muskmelon varieties were sown in 50-cell black seedling flats (Myers Industries Lawn and Garden Group, Middlefield, OH). Jiffy-Mix Grower s Choice Plus (Jiffy Products of America, Lorain, OH) was the seedling media used. On May 14, 2013, all varieties were transplanted in the field. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental plots were 50 feet in length and 4 feet wide. Rows were spaced on 6-foot centers with 2.5-foot in-row spacing leading to 20 plants per plot. Preplant fertilizer application consisted of 350 lbs. (46-0-0), 100 lbs. (0-0-60), and 200 lbs. of pelletized lime. Raised beds were formed and covered in black plastic mulch (4 ft x 2 mil, AEP Industries, Mountain Top, PA). Simultaneously, the drip tape (12-inch emitter spacing, 24 gph/100 ft, RO-Drip, Roberts Irrigation, San Marcos, CA) was placed under the plastic to allow for irrigation during the season as needed. Plants were harvested 12 times from July 19 to August 16, and each fruit was weighed individually. Nine fruit from each variety were evaluated for internal quality including percent soluble solids, size, rind thickness, and firmness. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and main effects means were separated by Fisher s least significant difference test using SAS statistical programs (SAS Institute, Cary, NC.) Results Overall yield in 2013 was similar to the previous season, ranging from 3,630-8,809 fruits/acre compared to 3,098-7,696 fruits/acre in 2012 (Table 1) (Saha and Sutterer, 2013). Average fruit weight for 2013 ranged from 4.0-8.3 lbs (Table 1). Sunny Dee had statistically greater yield at 8,809 fruits per acre compared to all other varieties evaluated (Table 1). However, soluble solid content for Sunny Dee was not exceptional (10.6%) (Table 2). Varieties that had higher yield and
high soluble solid content were NUN 02602 and Majus (Tables 1 and 2). UGR 1141-11 had greater fruit firmness compared to 10 of 15 varieties evaluated (Table 2). Firmness is important for shipping purposes, but also for the fresh-cut industry. Timing of product availability during specific market windows is important in the fresh produce industry. Often, the earlier market brings a better price. In the early harvest period, Sunny Dee had significantly greater fruit per plot (27.3 lbs/plot) compared to 13 of the 14 other varieties. In particular, Sunny Dee had greater fruit number than Aphrodite, a commonly utilized variety in the Midwestern United States (Table 3). Midseason harvest was highest for CS 156 and Sunny Dee, however, neither had the highest soluble solid content (Table 4). For late-season harvest, NUN 02602 had greater fruit per plot than all other varieties (Table 5). Additionally, it had good fruit quality characteristics including soluble solids and fruit firmness (Table 2). Acknowledgements The authors would like to extend their appreciation to the following individuals for all their help and assistance with the completion of the variety trials this year: Bill Davis, Dennis Nowaskie, Sara Hoke, and Angie Thompson.
Table 1. Yield of muskmelon varieties, 2013. Number per Plot z Average Number/Acre /Acre Sunny Dee Nunhems (Bayer) 60.7 a y 250.0 ab 4.0 j 8,808.8 a 36,301 ab NUN 02602 Nunhems (Bayer) 46.0 b 321.9 a 7.0 bc 6,679.2 b 46,736 a Athena Syngenta 46.0 b 243.9 bc 5.3 hi 6,679.2 b 35,417 bc Tirreno F1, treated Rupp 41.3 bc 221.4 bcd 5.4 hi 6,001.6 bc 32,151 bcd CS 156 Clifton Seeds 38.3 bcd 221.7 bcd 5.9 efgh 5,566.0 bcd 32,184 bcd NUN 26287 (4067 es) Nunhems (Bayer) 37.7 bcd 249.1 ab 6.6 bcde 5,469.2 bcd 36,165 ab Aphrodite Syngenta 34.3 bcd 235.9 bc 6.9 bcd 4,985.2 bcd 34,250 bc Majus F1, treated Rupp 34.0 bcd 186.3 bcde 5.5 ghi 4,936.8 bcd 27,055 bcde Atlantis Sakata 31.0 cd 192.5 bcde 6.2 defg 4,501.2 cd 27,945 bcde Avatar Sakata 30.7 cd 252.4 ab 8.3 a 4,452.8 cd 36,649 ab NUN 26357 (959 es) Nunhems (Bayer) 30.0 cd 170.4 cde 5.6 fgh 4,356.0 cd 24,737 cde UGR 1163-11 United Genetics 29.3 cd 211.4 bcd 7.2 b 4,259.2 cd 30,701 bcd UGR 1141-11 United Genetics 27.7 cd 227.5 bcd 8.3 a 4,017.2 cd 33,036 bcd RML 0609 Syngenta 27.7 cd 132.8 e 4.8 ij 4,017.2 cd 19,280 e UGR 1166-11 United Genetics 25.0 d 157.1 de 6.3 cdef 3,630.0 d 22805 de y Means in columns separated by Fisher s least significant test (P 0.05), means with same letter are not significantly different.
Table 2. quality of muskmelon varieties, 2013. Brix z Thickness Rind Firmness (lbs-force) Length of Seed Cavity Width of Seed Cavity Length Width UGR 1163-11 United Genetics 13.1 a y 0.20 bc 5.8 ab 4.57 ef 3.19 bc 7.94 def 7.81 b UGR 1141-11 United Genetics 11.4 b 0.20 bc 6.2 a 5.20 cd 3.10 bcd 8.57 bcd 7.70 bc Majus F1, treated Rupp 11.1 bc 0.13 cd 3.4 de 4.84 cde 3.02 bcde 7.38 fgh 6.40 ef NUN 02602 Nunhems 10.7 bcd 0.21 abc 5.4 ab 5.91 ab 2.83 cdef 8.92 abc 7.15 cd Sunny Dee Nunhems 10.6 bcde 0.07 d 5.7 ab 4.06 f 2.57 f 6.85 h 6.02 f NUN 26287 (4067 es) Nunhems 9.9 cdef 0.16 bc 4.9 bc 5.91 ab 2.62 ef 8.83 abc 7.48 bc Athena Syngenta 9.6 defg 0.17 bc 3.0 de 5.12 cde 2.97 cdef 7.86 def 6.67 de Tirreno F1, treated Rupp 9.3 defg 0.24 ab 5.3 ab 5.24 cd 2.69 def 7.74 efg 6.55 ef Atlantis Sakata 9.2 defgh 0.17 bc 3.5 de 6.22 a 3.18 bc 9.17 ab 7.22 cd Aphrodite Syngenta 9.2 defgh 0.20 bc 4.0 cd 5.83 ab 3.39 ab 8.57 bcd 7.48 bc Avatar Sakata 9.1 efgh 0.21 abc 3.9 cde 6.02 a 3.65 a 9.44 a 8.70 a UGR 1166-11 United Genetics 8.8 fgh 0.17 bc 3.7 de 5.24 cd 3.14 bc 7.87 def 7.36 bc RML 0609 Syngenta 8.4 gh 0.17 bc 2.8 e 4.72 de 2.94 cdef 7.01 gh 6.54 ef CS 156 Clifton Seeds 8.1 gh 0.16 bc 3.3 de 5.35 bc 3.24 abc 8.06 def 7.32 bc NUN 26357 (959 es) Nunhems 7.8 h 0.29 a 5.0 bc 5.20 cd 2.68 ef 8.31 cde 6.71 de z Brix: percent soluble solid. y Means in columns separated by Fisher s least significant difference test (P 0.05), means with same letter are not significantly different.
Table 3. Early muskmelon harvest, July 19-July 26, 2013. Number per Plot z Average Sunny Dee Nunhems 27.3 a y 112.7 a 4.1 cde Athena Syngenta 22.0 ab 115.0 a 5.2 bc Aphrodite Syngenta 18.0 bc 128.1 a 7.2 ab Atlantis Sakata 14.7 cd 98.9 ab 6.8 b RML 0609 Syngenta 11.3 de 58.2 bc 5.1 bcd Majus F1, treated Rupp 11.0 de 59.4 bc 5.4 bc Avatar Sakata 9.7 def 97.5 ab 9.8 a NUN 26357 (959 es) Nunhems 9.0 def 60.7 bc 6.6 bc Tirreno F1, treated Rupp 9.0 def 44.3 cd 5.4 bc UGR 1166-11 United Genetics 8.0 efg 52.1 c 6.8 b CS 156 Clifton Seeds 3.7 fgh 25.6 cde 7.0 b NUN 26287 (4067 es) Nunhems 2.7 gh 19.1 cde 6.8 b NUN 02602 Nunhems 1.0 h 5.9 de 2.0 ef UGR 1141-11 United Genetics 0.7 h 5.0 de 2.5 def UGR 1163-11 United Genetics 0.0 h 0.0 e 0.0 f y Means in columns separated by Fisher s least significant test (P 0.05), means with same letter are not significantly different.
Table 4. Mid-muskmelon harvest, July 31-August 7, 2013. Number per plot z Average CS 156 Clifton Seeds 27.3 a y 154.1 a 5.8 efg Sunny Dee Nunhems (Bayer) 20.3 ab 86.1 cde 4.2 h Tirreno F1, treated Rupp 16.3 bc 92.9 bcd 5.8 efg NUN 26287 (4067 es) Nunhems (Bayer) 16.0 bc 113.6 abc 7.1 bcd NUN 26357 (959 es) Nunhems (Bayer) 15.3 bc 80.2 cde 5.1 fgh UGR 1141-11 United Genetics 15.0 bcd 140.8 ab 9.4 a RML 0609 Syngenta 13.3 bcd 60.5 de 4.7 gh Athena Syngenta 13.0 bcd 71.6 cde 5.7 efg Avatar Sakata 13.0 bcd 101.3 bcd 7.9 b UGR 1166-11 United Genetics 11.7 bcd 75.2 cde 6.4 cde Majus F1, treated Rupp 9.3 cd 55.5 de 6.0 def UGR 1163-11 United Genetics 9.3 cd 76.6 cde 7.9 b Atlantis Sakata 7.7 cd 42.2 e 5.5 efg NUN 02602 Nunhems (Bayer) 5.3 d 40.6 e 7.5 bc Aphrodite Syngenta 5.3 d 39.7 e 7.5 bc y Means in columns separated by Fisher s least significant test (P 0.05), means with same letter are not significantly different.
Table 5. Late muskmelon harvest, August 9-August 16, 2013. Number per Plot z Average NUN 02602 Nunhems 39.7 a y 275.4 a 6.9 a UGR 1163-11 United Genetics 20.0 b 134.9 b 6.7 a NUN 26287 (4067 es) Nunhems 19.0 bc 116.4 bc 6.1 ab Tirreno F1, treated Rupp 16.0 bcd 84.2 cd 5.2 bc Majus F1, treated Rupp 13.7 bcde 71.5 de 5.2 bc Sunny Dee Nunhems 13.0 cde 51.2 def 4.0 cd UGR 1141-11 United Genetics 12.0 def 81.7 cd 6.8 a Aphrodite Syngenta 11.0 def 68.1 de 6.1 ab Athena Syngenta 11.0 def 57.4 de 5.1 bc Atlantis Sakata 8.7 efg 51.4 def 6.0 ab Avatar Sakata 8.0 efg 53.7 def 6.8 a CS 156 Clifton Seeds 7.3 efg 41.9 def 5.8 ab NUN 26357 (959 es) Nunhems 5.7 fg 29.5 ef 5.2 b UGR 1166-11 United Genetics 5.3 fg 29.8 ef 5.4 b RML 0609 Syngenta 3.0 g 14.1 f 2.9 d y Means in columns separated by Fisher s least significant test (P 0.05), means with same letter are not significantly different. Literature Cited Saha, S.K. and L. Sutterer, 2013. Southwest Indiana Muskmelon Trial 2012. pp. 31-38 in E. Maynard (ed.) Midwest Vegetable Trial Report for 2012. Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN. United States Department of Agriculture, 2013. National Agricultural Statistics Service. Vegetables 2012 Summary. http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/vegesumm/ VegeSumm-01-29-2013.pdf.