scholarly journals Differential Watermelon Fruit Size Distribution in Response to Plastic Mulch and Spunbonded Polyester Rowcover

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón A. Arancibia ◽  
Carl E. Motsenbocker
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Net Benefit ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Horticultural Crops

Plasticulture has been successfully used to enhance growth and yield of horticultural crops, and also for season extension in cooler climates. The effect of three plastic mulches (silver on black, photoselective thermal green, and black) in combination with spunbonded polyester rowcover (0.9 oz/yard2) on spring-planted watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production was investigated. Two red-fleshed cultivars [Sangria (seeded) and Crimson Jewel (triploid)] were used. Plastic mulches increased early and total marketable yield in comparison with bare ground for both cultivars, but net benefit increased in ‘Crimson Jewel’ only. In contrast, yield and net benefit were the same among plastic mulches. Rowcover increased soil and air temperature, with the effect being greatest at lower ambient temperatures. During a near-freeze event, air temperature under the rowcover was about 7.2 °F higher than without a rowcover. Rowcover increased early and total marketable yield, but fruit weight decreased in both cultivars. Yield distribution into three fruit size categories was inconsistent between the cultivars. In ‘Sangria’, the large fruit category had the highest yield proportion for all treatments. In contrast, the highest yield proportion of ‘Crimson Jewel’, with exception of mulch without rowcover, corresponded to small fruit. Rowcover increased gross income at wholesale prices, but net benefit was not different from without rowcover. Protection of high-value plants, such as triploid watermelon, against light freezes, however, may still justify the use of rowcover in early plantings.

scholarly journals In-row Spacing Influences Triploid Watermelon Yield and Crop Value

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl E. Motsenbocker ◽  
Ramon A. Arancibia
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Subsequent Decrease ◽  
Small Fruit ◽  
Triploid Watermelon

Triploid watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), commonly called seedless watermelon, is increasing in popularity and market share. The optimum in-row spacing of triploid watermelon has not been studied previously. Triploid watermelon `Crimson Jewel' and `Honeyheart' were grown with drip-irrigation and black plastic mulch at 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-ft (0.3-, 0.6-, 1.2-, 1.8-, and 2.4-m) in-row spacings in 1996 and 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-ft. (0.6-, 0.9-, 1.2-, 1.5-, 1.8-, 2.1-, and 2.4-m) spacings in 1997 to determine the effect of in-row plant spacing on fruit yield. Marketable yield of `Crimson Jewel' was not affected by in-row spacing while narrower in-row spacing resulted in greater `Honeyheart' yield both years. For both cultivars, narrower spacing resulted in the highest number of fruit per acre, but primarily more extrasmall and small fruit. Fruit number per plant, fruit weight per plant, and individual fruit weight were higher at wider spacings, and yield per acre was lower. The data suggest that triploid watermelon yield, fruit weight and number can be adjusted by in-row spacing. Narrower in-row spacing can maximize yields, depending on the specific grower's cultural practices. In wider in-row spacings, the yield of medium and large fruit is maintained with a subsequent decrease in extra small and small fruit. Gross returns per acre were only different for farmers' market prices, not wholesale, and net returns were not significantly influenced by in-row spacing.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Watermelon Varieties under Organic Production Practices in Georgia

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
George E. Boyhan ◽  
Suzanne O’Connell ◽  
Ryan McNeill ◽  
Suzanne Stone
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
Certified Organic ◽  
Solids Content

Organic production is a fast-growing sector of agriculture in need of variety evaluations under their unique production systems. This study evaluated 16 watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) varieties for their performance characteristics under organic production practices. Plants were grown on plastic mulch-covered beds on land that had been certified organic in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program. Six of the entries were F1 hybrids; the remaining entries were open-pollinated (OP) varieties. Of the 10 OP varieties, three were considered heirloom varieties, including Cream of Saskatchewan, Georgia Rattlesnake, and Moon & Stars. ‘Georgia Rattlesnake’ was the highest yielding variety and had the greatest average fruit weight. Along with ‘Georgia Rattlesnake’, ‘Nunhems 800’, ‘Nunhems 860’, ‘Orangeglo’, and ‘SSX 8585’ were included in the top five yielding varieties. The top five yielding varieties had fruit size that averaged more than 20 lb. Fruit size correlated with rind thickness, with lighter fruit having thinner rind (Pearson’s correlation, r = 0.779), which is not unexpected. ‘Sangria’ had the greatest average soluble solids content at 11.2%, which was greater than all entries with soluble solids less than 10%.

scholarly journals Higher Temperatures Decrease Fruit Size in Strawberry Growing in the Subtropics

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Christopher Menzel
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Small Fruit ◽  
Solids Content

Five strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars were grown in Queensland, Australia to determine whether higher temperatures affect production. Transplants were planted on 29 April and data collected on growth, marketable yield, fruit weight and the incidence of small fruit less than 12 g until 28 October. Additional data were collected on fruit soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) from 16 September to 28 October. Minimum temperatures were 2 °C to 4 °C higher than the long-term averages from 1965 to 1990. Changes in marketable yield followed a dose-logistic pattern (p < 0.001, R2s = 0.99). There was a strong negative relationship between fruit weight (marketable) and the average daily mean temperature in the four or seven weeks before harvest from 29 July to 28 October (p < 0.001, R2s = 0.90). There were no significant relationships between SSC and TA, and temperatures in the eight days before harvest from 16 September to 28 October (p > 0.05). The plants continued to produce a marketable crop towards the end of the season, but the fruit were small and more expensive to harvest. Higher temperatures in the future are likely to affect the economics of strawberry production in subtropical locations.

scholarly journals Irrigation and fertigation frequencies with nitrogen in the watermelon culture

Bragantia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Newdmar Vieira Fernandes ◽  
Benito Moreira de Azevedo ◽  
Joaquim Raimundo Nascimento Neto ◽  
Thales Vinícius de Araújo Viana ◽  
Geocleber Gomes de Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Shell Thickness ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Irrigation Frequency ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Equatorial Diameter ◽  
Polar Diameter

This study evaluates the influence of different irrigation frequencies and different nitrogen fertigation frequencies on the growth performance of the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) culture. Two experiments were conducted at the Paraguay farm in the Cruz municipality, Ceará, Brazil. They was randomized blocks design with six treatments and four replications. The irrigation frequency experiment consisted of the application of different irrigation frequencies. The treatments were: DM - daily irrigation in the morning with 100% daily dosage; DT - daily irrigation in the afternoon, with 100% daily dosage; DMT - twice daily irrigation, with 50% daily dosage in the morning and 50% daily dosage in the afternoon; 2D - irrigation every two days; 3D - irrigation every three days and 4D - irrigation every four days. To the experiment with different nitrogen fertigation frequencies, the treatments used were: 2F - 2 fertigations in a cycle; 4F - 4 fertigations in a cycle; 8F - 8 fertigations in a cycle; 16F - 16 fertigations in a cycle; 32F - 32 fertigations in a cycle and 64F - 64 fertigations in a cycle. We evaluated the marketable yield (PC), fruit weight (M), polar diameter (DP), equatorial diameter (DE), shell thickness (EC) and soluble solids (SS). The irrigation frequency treatments influenced all variables significantly, with twice daily irrigation (DMT, 50% in the morning and the 50% in the afternoon) promoting the highest productivity (69.79 t ha-1). The different frequencies of fertigation also significantly influenced all variables, except for the shell thickness, the highest yield (80.69 t ha-1) being obtained with treatment 64 fertigations in a cycle.

scholarly journals Effect of rejuvenation pruning on the growth, productivity and disease incidence in declining trees of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kandhari Kabuli

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 358-362
Author(s):  
D. P. Sharma ◽  
Niranjan Singh
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Blight ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Punica Granatum ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Disease Attack ◽  
Punica Granatum L

Pruning of fruit trees is an important aspect for the improvement of fruit quality and to minimize the pests and disease attack. Pruning was performed in the month of December in seven year old unpruned trees of Punica granatum cv. Knadhdri Kabuli having many interfering branching and a heavy infestation of bacterial blight orchard. The pruning treatments viz., T1: Retention of 15cm fruiting shoot length, T2: Retention of 30cm fruiting shoot length, T3: Retention of 45cm fruiting shoot length, T4: Retention of 60cm fruiting shoot length and T5: control (No heading back and no thinning) plant. The results of the present investigation revealed that among different pruning treatment, the best results in terms of shoot extension (56.34 cm), fruit size (Diameter 9.66 cm and Length 9.65 cm, fruit weight (278.50 g), marketable yield (10.25 kg) and fruit qualities were in fruits from T1 and T2 where retention of 15cm fruiting shoot length respectively and retention of 30cm fruiting shoot length were maintained. However, maximum fruit set (54.73%) was recorded in control, and it decreased with increasing pruning intensity. The pruning treatments also proved beneficial in controlling bacterial blight on fruit (12.86%) and leaf surface (26.60%) to some extent.

Effects of Postemergence and Postemergence-Directed Halosulfuron on Triploid Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus)

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Dittmar ◽  
David W. Monks ◽  
Jonathan R. Schultheis ◽  
Katherine M. Jennings
Keyword(s):  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Distal Region ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Proximal Region ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Crop Plant ◽  
Fruit Number ◽  
Crop Tolerance ◽  
Triploid Watermelon ◽  
Marketable Fruit

Studies were conducted in 2006 at Clinton and Kinston, NC, to determine the influence of halosulfuron POST (over the crop plant) or POST-directed (to the crop) on growth and yield of transplanted ‘Precious Petite’ and ‘Tri-X-313’ triploid watermelon. Treatments included a nontreated control, 39 g/ha halosulfuron applied POST-directed to 25% of the plant (distal or proximal region), POST-directed to 50% of the plant (distal or proximal; Precious Petite only), and POST. Watermelon treated with halosulfuron displayed chlorotic leaves, shortened internodes, and increased stem splitting. Vines were longest in the nontreated control (Tri-X-313 = 146 cm, Precious Petite = 206 cm) but were shortest in the POST treatment (Tri-X-313 = 88 cm, Precious Petite = 77 cm). Halosulfuron POST to watermelon caused the greatest injury (Tri-X-313 = 64%, Precious Petite = 67%). Halosulfuron directed to 25 or 50% (distal or proximal) of the plant caused less injury than halosulfuron applied POST. Stem splitting was greatest when halosulfuron was applied to the proximal area of the stem compared with POST-directed distal or POST. Internode shortening was greatest in treatments where halosulfuron was applied to the distal region of the stem. However, Tri-X-313 in the POST-directed 25% distal treatment produced similar total and marketable fruit weight as the nontreated control at Clinton. Fruit number did not differ among treatments for either cultivar. At Kinston, Precious Petite nontreated control and POST-directed 25% distal end treatment had greater marketable fruit weight than the POST-directed 50% proximal and POST treatments. The current halosulfuron registration allows POST application between rows or PRE. Limiting halosulfuron contact to no more than 25% of the watermelon plant will likely improve crop tolerance.

Growth and yield of clonal guavas in south-eastern Queensland

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 619
Author(s):  
KR Chapman ◽  
B Paxton ◽  
DH Maggs
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Highly Correlated

Five processing guava clones (GA6- 1, GA7- 12, GA8-30, GA9-35, GA11-56) were tested over 3 cropping years at Nambour, in coastal south-eastern Queensland. Mean marketable yield for the first crop at 2 years of age was 45 kg/tree or 36.23 t/ha at a density of 805 trees/ha. GA11-56, the most acceptable clone for processing, also gave the highest marketable yields of 627, 71.65 and 72.53 t/ha for the first 3 crops. Yield per unit cross sectional area of trunk was a more simple and useful index of yield efficiency than more complex parameters including a fruitfulness index and multiple regressions with yield of north-south canopy spread, number of primary branches and combinations of these and trunk girth. Similarly, trunk - - girth provided at least as good an estimate of tree size as the vigour index. Tree dimension measurements which included east-west canopy spread, north-south canopy spread, tree height, stem height, number of primary branches, crown height, crown radius, tree canopy volume, canopy surface area and an index of crown weight provided no consistent indication of tree size. They were not highly correlated with either accumulated or final yield of the guava. The GA11-56 clone because of its yield, fruit size and other desirable processing characteristics was the only clone that could be recommended for commercial plantings.

scholarly journals A MOISTURE CAPTURE SYSTEM FOR REDUCING SUPPLEMENTAL WATER REQUIREMENTS FOR CANTALOUPE PRODUCTION IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS.

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 587b-587
Author(s):  
David A. Bender ◽  
Frank J. Dainello
Keyword(s):  
Arid Regions ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Emergence Time ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Supplemental Irrigation ◽  
Vine Growth ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Semi Arid

Trenched beds covered with plastic mulch was used to capture and retain precipitation for dryland cantaloupe production. Two trenches were formed in the fall in raised beds. Plastic mulch was laid over the beds and slitted at ca. 1 meter intervals over the trenches. Soil was placed over the slits, conforming the plastic to the shape of the trenches and channeling precipitation into the beds. Cantaloupes were seeded in the spring and grown with no supplemental irrigation. Planting moisture was significantly greater under the capture system than in unmulched beds. Seedling emergence time was reduced from 18 to 6 days and vine growth in the first 6 weeks was almost doubled. Total and marketable yields were doubled and fruit size significantly increased when water was limiting. Elevated soil temperatures under the mulch enhanced plant growth and yield even when moisture was not limiting. Combining a moisture capture system with supplemental irrigation could allow commercial production of cucurbit crops under limited water conditions in semi-arid areas.

scholarly journals 537 PB 043 ROWCOVER AND BLACK PLASTIC MULCH EFFECTS ON TOMATO PRODUCTIONS

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 508d-508
Author(s):  
Ibrahim G. Rubeiz ◽  
Marlene M. Freiwat
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Fruit Setting ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Black Plastic ◽  
Effect On Yield ◽  
Yield Time ◽  
And Control

Tomato cv. Alwadi were grown under floating rowcover, black plastic mulch, mulch plus rowcover, or no protection i.e. control, for studying the effect on yield in terms of earliness, total yield and average fruit size. Early yield was significantly increased by the mulch treatment while the rowcover treatment yielded the least (P < 0.05). Total yield was increased by the mulch and mulch plus rowcover treatments, while the rowover and control treatments yielded the least (P < 0.05). Soil temperature at 10 cm depth varied between 1° to 2°C only under the different treatments. Air temperature under the rowcover exceeded 35 to 40°C on many days, hence causing fruit setting problems and resulting in reduced early yield under the rowcover. Our results show that earliness is enhanced by black plastic mulch, while the rowcover alone can have a negative effect on yield. Time of rowcover removal above the mulch warrants further research.

scholarly journals PENGARUH JARAK TANAM DAN MULSA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN TOMAT (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) PADA MUSIM PENGHUJAN

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Amelia Nur Suprianto ◽  
Tri Kurniastuti
Keyword(s):  
Plant Height ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Plant Spacing ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Number Of Branches

This research aims 1) To determine the effect of interaction of different plant spacing and the provision of mulch to growth and yield of tomato plants. 2) To know the different spacing affect the growth and yield of tomato plants. 3) To know the use of mulch type effect on growth and yield of tomato plants. This research was conducted by using Randomized Block Design in Factorial (RAK) with 2 factors, first factor is plant spacing (J) consisting of 3 levels ie 40x30 cm (J1), 40x50 cm (J2), 40x70 cm (J3) . The second factor is mulch (M) consisting of 3 levels ie: without mulch (M0 / control), straw mulch (M1), plastic mulch (M2). The variables observed were plant height, number of branches, number of bunches, number of fruit, and fruit weight. Data were analyzed by using variance analysis (Anova), 5% level. The results showed that: There was no interaction between plant spacing and mulch on growth and yield of tomato plants. Treatment spacing 40x50 (J2) effect on the number of bunches of 35 HST, the weight of the first harvest fruit and total fruit weight. The use of straw mulch type (M1) has an effect on plant height, number of branches, number of 35 HST bunches, and total fruit weight.

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