Regional Bulletin 06
July 2001
Auburn University
Mississippi State University
North Carolina State University
Alabama Agricultural
Experiment Station
Luther Waters, Director
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
printed in cooperation
with the Alabama Cooperative
Extension System
(Alabama A&M University
and Auburn University)
Find this publication onlline at t 
\tt:,.w~\w .a.auburn.cdu resinlltccu u lcsial!2000.pdf

Contents
Authors 2
Introduction: Tips for Interpreting Vegetable Variety Trial Results 3
Optimum Plant Density for 'Vivaldi' Bell Pepper on Plastic 5
'Nomad' Tops 'Packman' for a Second Year 6
Cabbage Yields are Lower this Season 7
'SMX 7204' Challenges 'Athena' in the Eastern Melon Category 9
2000 Pimento Pepper Cultivar Evalution 11
Hot Pepper Trials in Central Alabama 12
Plant Density Affects 'per plant' Pumpkin Yield, not 'per acre' Yield 14
Pumpkin Trials Hampered by Drought 16
'Dixie' Tops the List of Squash Varieties at E.V. Smith 19
Variety Evaluation of Greenhouse Tomatoes, Spring 1999 21
Variety Evaluation of Greenhouse Tomatoes, Spring 2000 23
Hybrid Triploid and Diploid Watermelon Cultivar Trials, 2000 24
Triploid Watermelon Cultivar Evaluation, Summer 2000 29
Seedless Watermelons Tested in Northern Mississippi 31
Seed Sources for Alabama Trials 35
Names of chemicals are mentioned only for describing the production practices used.
This represents neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these products.
Information contained herein is available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June
30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the US. Department ofAgriculture. The Alabama Coopera-
tive Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials,
and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age,
veteran status, or disability.
Authors
Dennis Adams
Agricultural Research Specialist
NC Cooperative Extension Service
North Carolina State University
Jason Burkett
Superintendent, Horticulture Unit
E.V. Smith Research Center
Shorter, AL
(334) 727-6159
Carl Cantaluppi
Area Horticulture Agent
Granville County Center
Oxford, NC
(912) 603-1350
Arnold Caylor
Superintendent
North Alabama Horticulture Research
Center
Cullman, AL
(256) 734-5820
George Clark
Superintendent
Central Crops Research Station
Clayton, NC
Kent Cushman
Research Horticulturist
North Mississippi Research and
Extension Center
Mississippi State University
(662) 566-2201
Tony Dawkins
Superintendent
Sand Mountain Research and
Extension Center
Crossville, AL
(256) 528-7133
Brian Gamble
Associate Superintendent
Wiregrass Research and Extension
Center
Headland, AL
(334) 693-2363
Pat D. Gerard
Experimental Statistics Unit
Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry
Experiment Station
Mississippi State University
Larry Harkins
Farm Manager
Truck Crops Research and Extension
Center
Mississippi State University
Thomas E. Horgan
Research Assistant
North Mississippi Research and
Extension Center
Mississippi State University
Peter Hudson
Research Assistant
Truck Crops Research and Extension
Center
Mississippi State University
Kirby Jones
Supervisor
Central Crops Research Station
Clayton, NC
Joe Kemble
Associate Professor and Extension
Horticulturist
Department of Horticulture
Auburn University, AL
(334) 844-3050
Muhammad Maqbool
Research Assistant II
North Mississippi Research and
Extension Center
Mississippi State University
Ronald McDaniel
Superintendent
Gulf Coast Research and Extension
Center
Fairhope, AL
(334) 928-2740
David H. Nagel
Vegetable Extension Specialist
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Mississippi State University
Malcomb Pegues
Assistant Superintendent
Gulf Coast Research and Extension
Center
Fairhope, AL
(334)928-2740
Jim Pitts
Superintendent
Chilton Area Horticulture Station
Clanton, AL
(205) 646-3610
Johnathan Schulthesis
Associate Professor and Extension
Specialist
NC Cooperative Extension Service
North Carolina State University
Richard G. Snyder
Vegetable Specialist
Truck Crops Research and Extension
Center, Crystal Springs, MS
Mississippi State University
Edgar Vinson, III
Research Assistant
Department of Horticulture
Auburn University, AL
(334) 844-3041
Larry Wells
Superintendent
Wiregrass Research and Extension
Center
Headland, AL
(334) 693-2363
Introduction: Tips for 
Interpreting
Vegetable Variety Trial Results
Joe Kemble and Edgar Vinson
The fall 2000 variety trial regional bulletin includes
results from Alabama (Auburn University), Mississippi
State University and North Carolina State University. Tri-
als conducted at various locations offer a wealth of infor-
mation to growers, extension specialists, researchers, and
seed companies. In addition, these trials provide informa-
tion as to how well a particular variety is performing in
several areas within the southern United States. The main
purpose of vegetable variety evaluation, however, is to
provide growers and seed retailers practical information
on varieties and to assist them in selecting an appropriate
variety. Here are a few tips for interpreting the results of
vegetable variety performance.
Open Pollinated vs. Hybrids
In general, hybrids (also referred to as F
1
) mature
earlier and produce a more uniform crop. Often, they have
improved horticultural qualities as well as multiple pest
tolerances and/or resistances. Generally, hybrid seed is
more expensive than that of open-pollinated (OP) culti-
vars. With hybrid cultivars, seeds cannot be collected
and saved for planting next year's crop. Hybrid seed is
available for most crops that are grown throughout the
southeastern United States. Despite the advantages hy-
brids offer, OP varieties are still planted in Alabama. Se-
lecting a hybrid variety, however, is the first step toward
improved crop quality and crop uniformity.
Yield Potential
Yields reported in variety trial results are extrapolated
from small plots. Depending on the vegetable crop, plot
sizes ranged from 100 to 500 square feet. Yields per acre
are estimated by multiplying plot yields by corrective fac-
tors ranging from 100 to 1,000. Small errors can be ampli-
fied, and estimated yields per acre may not be realistic.
Therefore, locations cannot be compared to one another
by just looking at the range of yields actually reported.
The relative differences, however, in performance among
varieties within a location are realistic and can be used to
identify the best-performing varieties.
Statistical Interpretation
The coefficient of determination (R2), coefficient of
variation (CV), and least significant difference (lsd, 5%)
are reported for each test. These numbers are helpful in
separating differences due to small plots (sampling error)
and true (but unknown) differences among entries.
R2 values range between zero and one. Values close
to one suggest that the test was conducted under good
conditions and most of the variability observed was mainly
due to the effect of cultivars and replication. Random,
uncontrolled errors were of lesser importance. CV is an
expression of yield variability relative to yield mean. Low
CVs (under 20%) are desirable but are not always
achieved.
There must be a minimum yield difference between
two cultivars before one can statistically conclude that
one cultivar actually performs better than another does.
This is known as the least significant difference (lsd).
When the difference in yield is less than the lsd value,
one cannot conclude that there is any real difference be-
tween two cultivars. For example, in the 2000 Pumpkin
trial at the North Alabama Horticulture Research Center,
'First Prize' yielded 39,938 pounds per acre, while 'Big
Moon' and 'Jumpin' Jack' yielded 32,508 pounds per acre
and 23,247 pounds per acre, respectively. Since there was
less than a 10,197 pounds per acre (the lsd value for yield)
difference between 'First Prize' and 'Big Moon', there is
no statistical difference between the yields of these two
varieties. However, the difference between 'First Prize'
and 'Jumpin' Jack' was 16,691 pounds per acre, indicat-
ing that there is a real difference between the yields of
these two varieties. From a practical point of view, pro-
ducers should place the greatest importance on lsd val-
ues when interpreting results.
Testing Conditions
AU vegetable variety trials are conducted under stan-
dard, recommended commercial production practices. In
the Fall 2000 Commercial Vegetable Varity Trials informa-
4 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
tion on soil type (Table 1), planting dates, fertilizer rates,
and pest control procedures are provided. Variety trials
were fertilized according to recommendations by the Au-
burn University Soil Testing Laboratory. The actual fertil-
izers and chemicals used are described only to provide
detailed information about cultural practices employed.
Mention of fertilizers or chemical names represents
neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these
products. A list of chemicals recommended for use in
disease, insect, and weed control in vegetable produc-
tion in Alabama may be found in the most recent copy of
the Alabama Pest Management Handbook available
through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
Contact your county Extension office for a copy.
Ratings of Trials
At each location of the AU tests, the growing condi-
tions of each variety trial were rated on a 1 to 5 scale,
based on weather conditions, fertilization, irrigation, pest
pressure, and overall performance (Table 2). Results from
trials with ratings of 2 and under are not reported. These
numbers may be used to interpret differences in perfor-
mance from location to location.
Where to Get Seeds
Because seeds are alive, their performance and ger-
mination rate depend on how old they are, where and
how they were collected, and how they have been handled
and stored. It is always preferable to purchase certified
seeds from a reputable seedsman. Several factors other
than yield should be considered when choosing which
variety to grow. The main factors are type, resistance
and/or tolerance to pests, earliness, and seed cost. It is
important to remember that some varieties may perform
differently under different management systems as com-
pared to the trial results reported here. Producers should
test some varieties for themselves by trying two to three
varieties on a small scale before making a large planting of a
single variety. This will be the best test in determining how
well suited a particular variety is for a particular operation.
Vegetable Variety Trial Information Available Online
Vegetable variety trial information can now be viewed
on the web. Several practical features can be accessed: a
list of vegetable crops, an explanation of the ratings sys-
tem and database, a description of variety types and
crops, as well as information on participating seed com-
panies.
If there is a variety that could not be found in the
AU variety trial reports, it might be found in the list of
vegetable crops. This is long list that allows people to
search by name, type, and source. The Auburn Univer-
sity Vegetable Variety Trial website can be found at
www.aces.edu/department/com veg/esimonne.
TABLE 1. SOIL TYPES AT THE LOCATIONS OF THE ALABAMATRIALS
Location Water-holding 
Soil type
capacity (in/in)
Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center (Fairhope) 0.09- 0.19 Malbis fine sandy loam
Brewton Research Field (Brewton) 0.12-0.14 Benndale fine sandy 
loam
Wiregrass Research and Extension Center (Headland) 0.14- 0.15 Dothan sandy loam
Lower Coastal Plain Research Center (Camden) 0.13 - 0.15 Forkland fine 
sandy loam
Horticultural Unit, EV Smith Research Center (Shorter) 0.15- 0.17 Norfolk-orangeburg 
loamy sand
Chilton Area Horticultural Station (Clanton) 0.13-0.15 Luvernue sandy 
loam
Upper Coastal Plain Research Center (Winfield) 0.13- 0.20 Savannah loam
North Alabama Horticultural Research Center (Cullman) 0.16-0.20 Hartsells-Albertville 
fine sandy loam
Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center (Crossville) 0.16-0.18 Wynnville fine sandy loam
TABLE 2. DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Rating Weather Fertilizer Irrigation Pests 
Overall
5 Very Good Very Good Very Good None Excellent
4 Favorable Good Good Light Good
3 Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Tolerable Acceptable
2 Adverse Low Low Adverse Questionable
1 Destructive Very Low Insufficient Destructive Useless
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 5
Optimum Plant Density
for'Vivaldi' Bell Pepper
on Plastic
Kent E. Cushman and Thomas E. Horgan
.";, >
'Vivaldi' bell peppers were grown using four plant
densities: 29,040, 14,520, 9,680, and 7,260 plants per acre.
Marketable yields (number of fruit per acre and pounds
per acre) were not significantly different for the three
highest plant densities. Marketable yield of the lowest
plant density (7,260 plants per acre), however, was sig-
nificantly lower.
Plant density did not affect size of peppers (see table).
The highest plant density of 29,040 plants per acre did
not affect size of peppers even though it was expected
that crowding would produce smaller peppers. The high-
est plant density did, however, produce significantly more
cull peppers, and thus lower percent marketable yield,
than the second highest density of 14,520. Many of these
cull peppers were misshapen.
Results of this one-year experiment suggest that 9,680
plants per acre is the optimum plant density to maximize
yield, minimize production costs, and maintain size.
Transplants of 'Vivaldi' were grown in a greenhouse
for 25 days and transplanted to the field by hand July 12,
2000. Raised beds were formed six inches high and 24
inches across the top with a press-pan-type bed shaper.
Beds were spaced six feet apart, center-to-center. White-
on-black plastic mulch and drip irrigation tubing was ap-
plied after bedding. Two rows of transplants, spaced 12
inches apart, were placed on each plant bed. The experi-
ment was designed to compare four plant densities: 29,040,
14,520, 9,680 and 7,260 plants per acre. These densities
are equivalent to in-row spacings of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 ft
between plants within each row.
The experimental design was a randomized complete
block design with three replications. Methyl bromide fu-
migation was not used. No preplant fertilizers were ap-
plied. Peters 20:20:20 and CaNO
3 
were applied during the
experiment via the drip irrigation system to provide a to-
tal of 120 pounds N, 80 pounds P
2
05 and 80 pounds K
2
0
per acre. Weekly irrigation was applied as needed. Pesti-
cides were applied with a backpack-type mister on a seven-
to 10-day schedule. The insecticides Asana XL at eight
fluid ounces per acre (0.05 pound esfenvalerate per acre),
Seven XLR Plus at 32 fluid ounces per acre (carbaryl) or
Malathion 57 EC at 16 fluid ounces per acre (malathion)
were sprayed as needed for insect control.
Peppers were harvested as soon as they reached
marketable size or began to change color from green to
red. Marketable peppers were separated from culls and
then counted and weighed. Culls were recorded as num-
ber of sunscald, small, misshapen, and damaged fruit. A
total of four harvests began Sepember 5 and ended Octo-
ber4.
BELL PEPPER MARKETABLE YIELD AND SIZE
Density Marketable yield ----Avg. weight--
plants/ac no of fruit/ac lbs/ac % oz
29,040 118,400 41,760 77 5.7
14,520 118,600 41,020 85 5.5
9,680 109,700 38,400 84 5.6
7,260 90,500 31,300 84 5.6
Isd (.05) 10,100 3,800 7 ns
6 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
'Nomad' Tops
'Packman'
for a Second Year
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Larry Wells, and Brian Gamble
A broccoli variety trial was conducted using plastic
mulch and drip irrigation at the Wiregrass Research and
Extension Center (Tables 1 and 2). Broccoli was trans-
planted in staggered double rows on September 18. Plants
were established at a one foot in-row spacing, which cre-
ated a stand of approximately 17,400 plants per acre.
Soils were fertilized according to the recommenda-
tions of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory.
Plants received seven pounds N per acre by alternate
injections of Ca(NO
3
)
2 
solution (9-0-0-11) and 20-10-20.
Injections were made between September 18 and Novem-
ber 27. Insect control consisted of weekly applications of
Dipel (two pints per acre) from September 18 through
November 10, and one application of Asana XL (9.6
ounces per acre) on September 18.
Heads were harvested when they reached six inches
in diameter. Plants were harvested twice a week as needed
between November 12 and December 12. Marketable
weight (in numbers of 23-pound cartons) and correspond-
ing number of heads were recorded (Table 3).
Broccoli varieties 'Nomad', 'Liberty', and 'Laguna'
performed better than the standard variety 'Packman'.
Varieties that performed as well as 'Packman' included
'Montecristo' and 'Decathlon'.
TABLE 3. YIELD OF SELECTED BROCCOLi VARIETIES
Variety Marketable Marketable Marketable
23-lb cart yield heads'
no/ac lbs/ac no/ac
Liberty 485 11,165 19,720
Nomad 430 9,889 18,415
Laguna 395 9,077 22,910
Packman 378 8,700 21,315
Decathlon 345 7,946 20,300
Montecristo 330 7,598 16,675
R2 0.50 0.40
CV 16 16
Isd 2,163 4,634
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF THE 2000
BROCCOLI VARIETY TRIALS
1
Location WREC
Weather 3
Fertility 5
Irrigation 5
Pests 5
Overall 4
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, EARLINESS AND DISEASE
CLAIMS OF SELECTED BROCCOLI VARIETIES
Variety Type 1 Seed Earliness Disease
source 
claims 2
Decathlon F1 Sakata 86 DM
Laguna F1 Novartis 88 DM
Liberty F1 Petoseed - -
Montecristo F1 Takii - -
Nomad F1 Sakata 68 DM
Packman F1 Petoseed 78 -
/Stokes
Type: F1l=hybrid. 
2 
Disease claims: DM=Downy Mildew.
- = not available from seed catalogues.
NOTE: Mention of fertilizers or chemical names represents
neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these prod-
ucts. A list of chemicals recommended for use in disease,
insect, and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama
may be found in the most recent copy of the Alabama Pest
Management Handbook available through the Alabama Coop-
erative Extension System. Contact your county Extension of-
fice for a copy.
P ?
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 7
Cabbage Yields
are Lower
this Season
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Larry Wells, and Brian Gamble
Cabbage variety trials were conducted at the
Wiregrass Research and Extension Center (WREC) in
Headland (Tables 1 and 2). Eight-week-old transplants
were planted onto 20-foot long double row plots on Sep-
tember 14. Within row spacing was one foot, which cre-
ated a stand of 17,400 plants per acre.
Soils were fertilized according to the recommenda-
tions of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory.
Preplant fertilizers 13-13-13 (at a rate of 500 pounds per
acre) and broiler litter (at a rate of two tons per acre) were
applied on August 31. After planting, fertilization con-
sisted of seven pounds per acre ofN as potassium nitrate
injected weekly between September 14 and October 15.
Asana XL insecticide at a rate of nine ounces per acre
and Bravo 720 fugicide at a rate of three pints per acre
were applied on September 23, September 25, and Octo-
ber 2.
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF THE 2000
CABBAGE VARIETY TRIALS
1
Location WGREC
Weather 3
Fertility 5
Irrigation 5
Pests 5
Overall 4
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
Cabbage heads were harvested when they reached
marketable size and graded according to United States
Standards for Grades of Cabbage (U.S. Department of
Agriculture 46 FR 63203). Harvest dates were November
18, November 21, and December 1.
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, EARLINESS, AND DISEASE RESISTANCErTOLERANCE
OF SELECTED HEAD CABBAGEVARIETIES
Variety Type' Head Seed Days to Disease
color source harvest resistance/tolerance
2
Blue Dynasty F1 Green Asgrow 75 BR, FY
Blue Thunder F1 Green Harris Seeds 80 BR, FY
Cheers F1 Green Takii 84 BR, FY, Thrips
Izalco F1 Green Novartis 105 BLS, BR, FY
Pennant F1 Green Novartis 88 FYTB
Red Dynasty F1 Red Asgrow 70 BR
SVR 521015 F1 Green Asgrow - -
' Type: Fl=hybrid
2 Disease resistance/tolerance: FY=Fusarium Yellows; BR=black rot; BLS=Bacterial 
Leaf
Spot; TB=tip burn.-- = not available from seed catalogues.
Cabbage yields were
lower this season com-
pared to last season. This
is probably due to
drought conditions. The
Wiregrass area was
among the most ad-
versely affected in the
state. There were little dif-
ferences among varieties
(Table 3). The Experimen-
tal variety 'SVR 521015'
performed as well as the
other well-known cabbage
varieties. 'Red Dynasty'
produced yields signifi-
cantly lower than other
cabbage varieties.
8 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
TABLE 3. PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED CABBAGE VARIETIES
Variety Marketable Marketable Marketable
50-lb cart yield heads
no/ac lbs/ac no/ac
Blue Thunder 364 18,183 7,540
SVR 521015 323 16,153 5,945
Cheers 260 13,021 5,510
Izalco 235 11,745 5,365
Blue Dynasty 213 10,672 4,495
Red Dynasty 68 3,393 1,595
R
2  
0.40
CV 55
Isd 9,979
NOTE: Mention of fertilizers or chemical names represents
neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these prod-
ucts. A list of chemicals recommended for use in disease,
insect, and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama
may be found in the most recent copy of the Alabama Pest
Management Handbook available through the Alabama Coop-
erative Extension System. Contact your county Extension of-
fice for a copy.
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 9
'SMX 7204' Challenges
'Athena' in the Eastern
Melon Category
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, and Jason Burkett
A small melon (cantaloupe and honey dew) variety
trial was conducted at the E.V. Smith Research Center
(EVSRC) in Shorter (Tables 1 and 2).
Preplant fertilization consisted of calcium nitrate
(15.5-0-0) and muriate of potash (0-0-60) at a rate of 400
and 200 pounds per acre respectively, on March 23.
Melons were direct seeded on April 27. Fertilization
consisted of alternate, weekly injections of calcium
nitrate (9-0-11) and 20-20-20 from May 9 through June
20. Insects were controlled through applications of En-
dosulfan (2.5 pints per acre), Thiodan (2.5 pints per
acre), and Asana (9.6 ounces per acre). Fungicides
applied were Manes (1.6 quarts per acre), Benlate 50
WP (one pound per acre), and Terranil 6L (two pints
per acre).
Melons were harvested twice weekly from July 7
through July 26. On four representative melons of each
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF THE 2000
SMALL MELON VARIETY TRIALS'
Location EVSRC
Weather 4
Fertility 5
Irrigation 5
Pests 5
Overall 5
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
variety, soluble solid content was determined with a hand
held refractomer. Soluble-solid content is a practical mea-
sure of sweetness. Honey dew melons are harvested at
the immature state and become sweeter during storage.
Therefore sugar content at harvest is not a good indica-
tor of sweetness at maturity.
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS, RELATIVE EARLINESS, AND DISEASE CLAIMS
OF SELECTED VARIETIES OF SMALL MELONS
Variety Type Seed Rind Flesh Days to Disease Years
source aspect' color
2  
harvest claims
3  
evaluated
Athena F1 Novartis E 0 80 FWPM 94-00
ATX-542 F1 Takii HD G - -- 00
(Honey Ace)
Classic F1 Petoseed E S 86 -- 00
Earli-Dew F1 Petoseed Sm Gr 80 FW 95-00
Eclipse F1 SeedWay/Petoseed E 0 85 FW,PM 96-00
HD-85 F1 Takii HD G - - 00
Honey Brew F1 Sakata HD G 105 FW,PM 00
HY-Mark F1 Petoseed W O 83 PM,Su 94-00
Primo F1 Novartis W O 77 FW,PM 00
Rocio F1 Sunseed HD G 85 FW,PM 00
SMX 7204 F1 Sunseed E O - FW,PM 00
'Rind aspect: E = eastern; W = western ; HD = Honey dew ; Sp = Specialty.
2Flesh color: O = Orange; Gr = Green; S = Salmon; Y = Yellow;Wh=White.
3 Disease claims: FW = Fusarium Wilt; PM = Powdery Mildew; ANT = Anthracnose; DM = Downy Mildew, Su = Sulfur.
- = not found from seed catalogues.
10 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
In the eastern melon
category, there were very
few differences among va-
rieties (Table 3). The experi-
mental variety 'SMX 7204'
performed as well as
'Athena', the market stan-
dard as did 'Eclipse' and
'Durango'. 'Classic' did
not perform as well as the
other eastern melon types.
In the honey dew
melon category 'HD542'
performed as well as 'Early
Brew', 'Honey Dew', and
'Creme de Menthe'. The
other experimental variety
'HD85' along with 'Early
Dew' produced yields that
were significantly lower
than the other melons.
TABLE 3.YIELD OF SELECTED SMALL MELON VARIETIES
Marketable Marketable Individual Soluble
Variety Type' yield fruits fruit weight solids
lbs/ac no/ac lbs (Brix)
SMX 7204 E 50,292 9,353 5.4 13.0
Athena E 45,760 8,700 5.2 12.7
Eclipse E 44,685 7,830 5.7 12.3
Durango E 39,419 9,208 4.4 -
Classic E 19,532 3,915 5.3 11.5
Edonis Sp 9,229 2,828 3.2
Creme De Menthe H 68,562 10,585 6.5 12.3
HD542 H 61,694 9,353 6.6 13.5
Early Brew H 57,214 9,353 6.2 14.3
Rocio H 54,771 10,368 5.4 12.8
Honey Brew H 49,187 8,338 6.0 15.0
Earli Dew H 36,990 8,555 4.3 13.0
HD-85 H 35,512 4,640 8.4 14.0
Hy-Mark W 32,516 8,265 4.0 12.5
Primo W 3,545 725 4.9 12.0
R
2  
0.72 0.70
CV 32 29
Isd 18,292 3,078
' Type: E = eastern melon; W = western melon; HD = honey dew melon; Sp = Specialty
melon.
NOTE: Mention of fertilizers or chemical names represents
neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these prod-
ucts. A list of chemicals recommended for use in disease,
insect, and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama
may be found in the most recent copy of the Alabama Pest
Management Handbook available through the Alabama Coop-
erative Extension System. Contact your county Extension of-
fice for a copy.
10 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL 
VEGETABLE VARIETY TR1ALS 
11
2000 Pimento Pepper
Cultivar Evalution
Carl Cantaluppi
This study was undertaken to evaluate pimento pep-
per varieties that would be suitable to be grown in the
Piedmont of North Carolina and processed by a local pi-
mento cheese spread manufacturer.
Seed for the trail was donated by Jeffreys Seed Com-
pany and Johnny's Selected Seeds, Inc. Transplants were
grown by Aarons Creek Greenhouses, Buffalo Junction,
VA
Pepper transplants were planted on May 11, 2000 at
the Willie Brooks Farm in Timberlake (Person County),
North Carolina. The experimental design consisted of a
randomized complete block design with four pepper cul-
tivars replicated four times.
Twelve plants per plot were staggered in a double
row, spaced two feet between plants and two feet be-
tween the staggered row for a total of a 12 foot long row.
Transplants were planted through black plastic mulch
and trickle irrigation. The row was bedded up to a height
of eight inches before plastic and trickle were laid down
during the fall of 1999.
YIELD OF PIMENTO PEPPERS
IN PERSON COUNTY, NC
Cultivar Marketable yield' Fruit Culls
2
no/lb Ibs./ac
Antohi Romanian 17,747 a
3  
6.2 c 570 b
Lipstick 14,582 ab 8.6 b 688 b
Apple 11,596 b 9.7 a 3,451 a
Pimento 11,181 b 6.0 c 780 b
'Yield is in pounds per acre.
2
Culls were fruit defects due to a combination of sunscald
and anthracnose.
3
Means with the same letter within columns are not statis-
tically significant, Duncan's Multiple Range Test, .05 level.
Fertilizer was added to the beds and incorporated on
the basis of soil test recommendations for strawberries
during the fall of 1999. No additional fertilizer was added
during the 2000 growing season. Plots were drip irrigated
throughout the season.
'Antohi Romanian' was the top yielder with the fruit
turning pale yellow in 57 days and orange-red to red in 77
days. Fruits are very large and smooth, four inches long,
two inches wide, tapered and pointed, with a 0.25 inch
wall thickness.
'Lipstick' stayed green for 57 days, turning to red
ripe in 77 days. Fruits are about four inches long and
taper to a blunt point, with a 0.25 inch wall thickness.
'Apple' stayed green for 57 days, turning to red ripe
in 77 days. Fruits are round and heart-shaped, three to
four inches long. A larger percentage of culls were no-
ticed with this cultivar. Apple had the thickest walls of all
the cultivars: 5/16 inch.
'Pimento' stayed green for 70 days, turning to red
ripe in 90 days. This was the latest cultivar to mature in
the trial. These round 0.25 inch thick-walled fruits yielded
the least but were among the largest fruits.
The local processor liked the 'Antohi Romanian' be-
cause it retained its original color the best after it was
processed. Flavor among all varieties was similar.
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
11
12 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATlON
Hot Pepper Trials in
Central Alabama
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Jason Burkett, and Jim Pitts
Hot pepper varieties trials were conducted at the E.V.
Smith Research Center (EVSRC) in Shorter and the Chilton
Area Horticulture Station (CAHS) in Clanton (Tables 1
and 2).
At both locations hot peppers were planted in four-
foot-long, double row plots with a within-row spacing of
12 inches. Plants were grown on plastic mulch with drip
irrigation. White plastic was used at EVSRC and black
plastic was used at CAHS. Peppers were transplanted on
June 8 at EVSRC and April27 at CAHS.
At EVSRC, beds were fumigated with 400 pounds
per acre of Pic Brom 25 on April 8. Preplant fertilizer was
15.5-0-0 calcium nitrate at a rate of387 pounds per acre on
March 24. Fertilization consisted of weekly, alternate in-
jections of 9-0-0-11 and 20-20-20 at a rate of 3.5 pounds
per acre. Pest control consisted of applications of Manex
(at a rate of 1.6 quarts per acre) on June 10, June 29, July
3, July 9, July 17, and July 24; Dipel 4L (at a rate of two
pints per acre) on June 29 and July 24; Endosulfan (at a
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF 2000 HOT PEPPER
VARIETY TRIAL1
Location EVSRC CAHS
Weather 4 5
Fertility 5 5
Irrigation 5 5
Pests 4 5
Overall 4 4
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
rate of 2.5 pints per acre) on June 10 and July 23; and
Endosulfan (at a rate of two pints per acre) on June 7.
At CAHS, fertilization consisted of a pre-plant appli-
cation of 50 pounds ofN per acre as 13-13-13. After plant-
ing, six pounds of N per acre were injected weekly as
calcium nitrate [Ca(NO
3
),] beginning April25, and ending
August 18. Insect control was provided by applications
source harvest shape claims
4
Mexheim F1 Anaheim Rupp seed 68 Tapered end G-R - -
Mitla F1 Jalapeno Petoseed 74 Bullet-Shaped G-R 4,000-5,000 -
Papri King OP Paprika Petoseed 100 Flat-tapered G-R 500-1,000 -
Passilla Bajio OP Cayenne Petoseed 77 Long; 2-celled G-Br 100-250 TbMV
Super Cayenne II F1 Cayenne Petoseed 67 Tapered blunt G-R - -
point
Tampico Fiesta F1 Serrano Asgrow 72 Tapered end G-R - -
Thai Dragon F1 Thai Burpee 70 Tapered end G-R - -
X3R Hot Spot F1 Banana Petoseed 72 Tapered end G-R - BLS 1,2,3
Type: Fl1=hybrid; OP = open pollinated.
2 Color: Gr= Green; R = Red; Br = Brown.
3 RSR = Relative Scoville Rating; the higher the rating, the hotter the variety.
4 Disease claims: TbMV = Tobacco Mosaic Virus; BLS = Bacterial Leaf Spot.
- = not available from seed catalogues.
12 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL 
VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 
13
of Spintor at a rate of four ounces per acre. Fungicides
used were Kocide, at a rate of two pounds per acre, and
Maneb (at a rate of 1.5 pounds per acre). Insect and fungi
control were administered on May 17, May 24, May 31,
June 7, June 14, and June 21.
TABLE 3. 2000 HOT PEPPER VARIETY TRIAL
Variety Type Marketable 100-pod
yield weight
lbs/ac lbs
Chilton Area Research and Extension Center
Super Cayenne II
Thai Dragon
Papri Ace
Papri King
Tampico Fiesto
X3R Hot Spot
Mexheim
R2
CV
Isd
Cayenne
Cayenne
Paprika
Paprika
Serrano
Banana
Anaheim
40,875
37,752
22,135
3,722
52,215
33,344
16,835
0.70
40
11,401
Peppers were harvested July 17, July 19, August 1,
August 15, and August 23 at EVSRC and July 7, July 27,
August 8, August 22, and September 15 at CAHS. The
weight of 100 pods was also determined (Table 3).
NOTE: Mention of fertilizers or chemical names represents
neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these prod-
ucts. A list of chemicals recommended for use in disease,
insect, and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama
may be found in the most recent copy of the Alabama Pest
Management Handbook available through the Alabama Coop-
erative Extension System. Contact your county Extension of-
fice for a copy.
2.0
0.5
2.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
0.5
E.V. Smith Research Center
Tai Dragon Cayenne 18,633 -
Super Cayenne II Cayenne 1,235 -
Tampico Fiesta Serrano 6,689 -
Papri Ace Paprika 1,780 -
Mexheim Anaheim 1,364 -
X3R Hot Spot Banana 1,287 -
R
2  
0.20
CV 30
Isd 13,080
_
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 13
14 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
Plant Density Affects
'per plant' Pumpkin
Yield, not 'per acre' Yield
Kent Cushman,Thomas Horgan, David Nagel, Muhammad Maqbool, and Pat D. Gerard
'Aspen' and 'Howden Biggie' were grown using four
plant densities. Overall, increasing plant density affected
both cultivars by significantly decreasing number of pump-
kins per plant and decreasing average pumpkin weight
(pounds per pumpkin) (Tables 1 and 2). With only one
exception, plant density appeared to have no affect on
yield (pounds per acre and pumpkins per acre) or average
pumpkin size (cubic inches per pumpkin). The exception
was with 'Howden Biggie.' There was a significant linear
relationship between increasing plant density and de-
creasing yield (pumpkins per acre). There was also a sig-
nificant quadratic effect for 'Howden Biggie' yield (pump-
kins per acre) with maximum yield occurring at 908 plants
per acre.
Four 'Aspen' plant densities were tested: 3,068, 2,045,
1,361, and 908 plants per acre. These plant densities are
equivalent to approximately 14, 21, 32, and 48 square feet
per plant, respectively. In a separate experiment, four
'Howden Biggie' plant densities were also tested: 2,045,
1,361,908, and 605 plants per acre. These plant densities
are equivalent to approximately 21, 32, 48, and 72 square
feet per plant, respectively. 'Howden Biggie' produces a
more vigorous vine than 'Aspen' and therefore plant den-
sity treatments were adjusted accordingly.
The study was planted at the North Mississippi Re-
search & Extension Center in Verona during the summer
of 2000. Plant beds were formed six inches high and 30
inches across the top with a press-pan-type bed shaper.
Beds were spaced eight feet apart, center-to-center, with
a 20-foot wide drive row located between each set of
three rows. Preplant fertilizer was placed in the plant bed
during bed formation at the rate of 90 pounds of N, 170
TABLE 1. MARKETABLE YIELD AND SIZE OF 'ASPEN'
-Plant density- Total yield Avg. weight Size
plants/ac f
2
/plant lbs/ac pumpkins/ac pumpkins/plant lbs/pumpkin irP/pumpkin
3,068 14.2 41,900 3,490 1.1 12.0 660
2,045 21.3 51,700 3,920 1.9 13.2 770
1,361 32.0 45,400 3540 2.6 12.8 730
908 48.0 42,500 3,050 3.4 13.9 770
Significance ns ns L*** L* ns
Regression model contained significant linear (L) term. Not significant (ns) or significance at P=0.05 (*) or 0.001 (***).
TABLE 2. MARKETABLE YIELD AND SIZE OF 'HOWDEN BIGGIE'
-Plant density--- Total yield Avg. weight Size
plants/ac f!/plant lbs/ac pumpkins/ac pumpkins/plant lbs/pumpkin i
3
r/pumpkin
2,045 21.3 12,400 870 0.4 14.3 860
1,361 32.0 24,900 1,580 1.2 15.7 910
908 48.0 27,300 1,800 2.0 15.2 860
605 72.0 24,500 1,310 2.2 19.0 1,060
Significance' ns L* Q* L** L* ns
1 Regression model contained significant linear (L) and quadratic (Q) terms. Not significant (ns) or significance at P=0.05
(*) or 0.01 (**).
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION14
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL 
VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 
15
pounds of P
2
0
5
, and 220 pounds of K20 per acre. Drip
tape, rated at 0.5 gallon per minute per 100 feet at 10
pounds per square inch, was applied one to two inches
deep just off center in the top of the bed. Plastic mulch
was not used.
Both cultivars were direct seeded by hand on July 7,
2000. Each hill was planted with two or three seeds. Ger-
mination was good to excellent, and hills were thinned by
hand to one plant per hill one to two weeks after emer-
gence. Few hills experienced poor germination but those
that did were replanted with plants grown in the green-
house for this purpose. After establishing the plantings,
plant stand for both cultivars was excellent.
Command (clomazone) herbicide was applied imme-
diately after seeding. Within one week of application, a
one-inch rain effectively incorporated the herbicide. Ef-
fects of the herbicide were evident on many of the pump-
kin seedlings after emergence. Many seedlings exhibited
white, bleached seed leaves (cotyledons). Some seed-
lings also exhibited bleaching of the first true leaves. All
seedlings, however, eventually grew out of the Command
injury and produced green, healthy plants.
Asana XL (esfenvalerate), Pounce 3.2EC (permethin),
Thiodan EC (endosulfan), or Sevin 80S (WP) (carbaryl)
were mixed with Bravo WS or Quadris and sprayed on a
seven- to 10-day schedule for insect and disease control.
Water or fertilizer solution was applied through the drip
tape to supply at least one acre-inch of irrigation per
week. Soluble fertilizer was applied by injecting a con-
centrated solution ofNH
4
NO
3 
or CaNO
3 
when vines be-
gan to run. Soluble fertilizer supplied an additional 55
pounds of N per acre.
Harvest began August 26 and ended September 15.
A total area of 200 square feet (10 feet wide and 20 feet
long) was harvested from the center of each plot. Each
pumpkin was weighed and measured for height and width.
For both cultivars, only pumpkins greater than five
pounds were used in the analyses.
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
15
16 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
r
! ,,
,
.,'.
,;
ti ' "
-. ;
,,,
_ - ;
__ 
_ 
- _
yl
Pumpkin Trials
Hampered
by Drought
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, Ronald McDaniel, Malcomb Pegues, Arnold Caylor, and Tony Dawkins
Pumpkin variety trials were conducted at the Horti-
culture units of the Gulf Coast Research and Extension
Center (GCREC) in Fairhope, the North Alabama Horti-
culture Research Center (NAHRC) in Cullman, and the
Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center (SMREC)
in Crossville (Tables 1 and 2).
Soils were fertilized according to the recommenda-
tions of the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory.
Planting dates were July 10 at GCREC, July.2 atNAHRC,
and July 6 at SMREC. Pumpkins were direct seed in hills
on rows that were 60 feet long. There was a five-foot
spacing between hills.
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, RELATIVE EARLINESS,
AND FRUIT SIZE OF SELECTED PUMPKIN VARIETIES
Variety Type' Seed source Maturity Fruit weight
days lbs/ac
Ambercup F1 Rupp Seeds 100 2-3
Appalachian F1 Petoseed 90 20-25
Autumn King F1 Novartis 95 2-3
Baby Bear OP Rupp Seeds 105 1-2
Big Moon - Novartis 120 40+
First Prize F1 Rupp Seeds 100 50+
Gold Rush OP Rupp Seeds 120 30-40
Gold Strike F1 Rupp Seeds 110 25-40
Howden OP Harris Moran 100 15-20
Howdy Doody - Rupp Seeds - -
Jack-Be-Quick 
- Rupp Seeds 
95 0.25
Little October - Rupp Seeds - -
Old Zebs - Rupp Seeds - -
Orange Dawn - Rupp Seeds - -
Pik-A-Pie F1 Rupp Seeds 85 4-5
Spooktacular F1 Petoseed 85 3-5
Sweet Dumpling OP Rupp Seeds 100 1
Sweetie Pie OP Stokes 110 0.25
Touch of Autumn - Novartis 95 2-3
Trickster F1 Seneca 90 3-4
Wee-Be-Little F1 Novartis 110 0.25
'Type: Fl=hybrid; OP=open pollinated.
- = not available from seed catalogues.
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF 2000
PUMPKIN VARIETY TRIALS
1
Location GCREC NAHRC SMREC
Weather 3 4 4
Fertility 5 5 5
Irrigation 5 5 5
Pests 5 5 5
Overall 4 5 5
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
At GCREC, pumpkin beds were made and 10-10-10
(at a rate of 500 pounds per acre) was applied preplant on
July 7. Plots received no other fertilization. Insect control
was provided by applications of the following: Asanna
(at a rate of eight ounces per acre) on August 21 and 30;
Pounce (at a rate of two ounces per 10 gallons) on Au-
gust 8; and Thiodan (at a rate of 1.33 quarts per acre).
Fungi were controlled with applications of Bravo (at a
rate of 1.5 pints per acre) on August 14 and weekly appli-
cations of Benlate (at a rate of 0.5 pounds per acre) from
August 14 through September 30. Weed control consisted
one application of Curbit (at a rate of two quarts per acre)
on July 10.
At NAHRC, fertilization consisted of weekly appli-
cations through the drip irrigation system of ammonium
nitrate (at a rate of 15 pounds per acre) from July 7 through
August 21. The herbicides Command and Gramoxone
were applied on July 12 at rates of two pints per acre and
three pints per acre, respectively. Insect control consisted
of applications of Ambush (at a rate of 12 ounces per
acre) on July 17 and 24; and Asana XL (at a rate of 9.6
ounces per acre) on August 4, August 18, August 31,
September 4, and September 18. Fungicides used were
Bravo (at a rate of 32 ounces per acre) on July 17 and 24;
Bravo/Ridomil (at rate of one pound per acre) on August
8 and August 15; Bravo-Ultrex (at a rate of 2.5 pounds per
acre) on August 24, September 4, and September 11;
16 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL 
VEGETABLE VARIETY 
TRIALS 
17
Bayleton (at a rate of four
ounces per acre) on July 17,
August 4, September 4, and
Sepetember 11; and Belate (at
a rate of eight ounces per
acre) on July 21 and Septem-
ber 11.
Preplant fertilization at
SMREC consisted of one
application of 5-10-15 (at a
rate of 1000 pounds per
acre) on July 19. Post plant-
ing fertilization consisted of
200 pounds per acre of cal-
cium nitrate applied on Au-
gust 18. Insect control con-
sisted of applications of
Asana (at a rate of eight
ounces per acre) on August
19 and September 8; Seven
(at a rate of one quart per
acre) on August 13; and
Dipel (at a rate of one quart
per acre) on August 14.
Fungi were controlled with
applications of Benlate (at a
rate of 0.5 pound per acre)
on August 14, September 4
September 11, and Septem-
ber 18; and Bravo (at a rate
of two pints per acre) on
September 4 and 11.
Harvest dates were
September 15 at GCREC,
September 28 at NAHRC,
and October 9 at SMREC.
Because color development
stops after harvest, pump-
kins were harvested at the
full-color stage and graded
as marketable or non market-
able (Table 3).
Pumpkin trials were also
conducted at the Wiregrass
Research and Extension
Center in Headland and the
E.V. Smith Research Center
TABLE 3.TOTAL PRODUCTION AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION OF SELECTED
PUMPKIN VARIETIES
Total US #1 Total US #1 Cull Individual
Variety weight number weight fruit weight
lbs/ac no/ac no/ac lbs/ac
Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center
Appalachian 5,231 761 2,447 8
Howdy Doody 2,550 471 779 7
Autumn King 2,496 399 643 8
Gold Strike 846 109 503 8
Orange Dawn 4,403 2,646 866 2
Old Zebs 2,862 544 1,682 5
Touch of Autumn 2,220 2,066 799 1
R
2  
0.54 0.78 0.50 0.55
CV 9 55 66 53
Isd 2,102 809 1,080 5.5
North Alabama Horticulture Research and Extension Center
First Prize 39,938 1,332 * 30
Big Moon 32,508 1,221 * 26
Autumn King 31,940 1,795 * 17
Jumpin' Jack 23,247 1,832 * 13
Appalachian 23,033 1,832 * 13
Howdy Doody 21,164 1,906 * 11
Gold Strike 19,958 1,443 * 14
Old Zebs 17,817 1,499 * 12
Gold Rush 17,512 1,018 * 17
Howden 13,808 1,147 * 13
Orange Dawn 13,394 5,772 * 2
Touch of Autumn 12,349 5,791 * 2
R
2  
0.64 0.92 0.90
CV 32 25 21
Isd 10,197 780 4
Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center
Trickster 10,270 5,256 0 1.97
Spookatacular 10,175 4,821 0 2.14
Amber Cup 10,172 5,220 0 1.94
Little October 7,004 10,875 0 0.64
Pick-A-Pie 6,565 2,103 0 3.21
Jack-Bee-Quick 5,184 13,413 0 0.39
Baby Bear 5,024 3,770 0 1.33
Sweet Dumpling 4,172 5,438 105 0.77
Sweetie Pie 3,988 10,549 0 0.38
Wee-Bee-Little 2,240 2,320 0 0.88
R
2  
0.84 0.92 0.94
CV 21 20 20
Isd 1,989 1,824 0.38
* = data not collected.
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 17
18 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
in Shorter. Despite diligent irrigation practices, the trials
were overcome by drought conditions that plagued much
of the South.
Overall, pumpkins from comparable weight classes
produced higher yields at NAHRC than at GCREC. This
was probably due to more severe drought conditions at
GCREC. Higher night temperatures also caused lower
pumpkin yields as was the case in the fall 1999 pumpkin
trial. 'Appalachian', for example, had an average weight
of eight pounds at GCREC, well below the expected 20-25
pound range (Tables 2 and 3). AtNAHRC, 'Appalachian'
had a higher fruit weight of 13 pounds still seven pounds
below the expected range. At GCREC, 'Appalachian' pro-
duced yields significantly higher than 'Gold Strike' and
'Howdy Doody' while atNAHRC 'Gold Strike', 'Howdy
Doody', and 'Howden' (an old favorite) performed just
as well as 'Appalachian'.
At SMREC, the small, ornamental and pie type pump-
kins, on an individual weight basis, appeared not to be
affected by the drought. The weights were either slightly
below or were within the expected range.
NOTE: Mention of fertilizers or chemical names represents
neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these prod-
ucts. A list of chemicals recommended for use in disease,
insect, and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama
may be found in the most recent copy of the Alabama Pest
Management Handbook available through the Alabama Coop-
erative Extension System. Contact your county Extension of-
fice for a copy.
18 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE 
VARIETY TRIALS 
19
'Dixie' Tops the List
of Squash Varieties
Jat E.V. Smith
Joe Kemble, Edgar Vinson, and Jason Burkett
A summer squash variety trial was conducted at the
E.V. Smith Research Center (EVSRC) in Shorter (Tables 1
and 2).
Squash were direct seeded on bare ground into 30
foot long plots at a within row spacing of one foot on
April 27. Soils were fertilized according to the recommen-
dations of the Auburn University Soil Testing Labora-
tory.
Fertilization consisted of an application of calcium
nitrate (15.5-0-0) and muriate potash (0-0-60) at rates of
400 pounds per acre and 200 pounds per acre respec-
tively on March 20. Alternate injections of calcium nitrate
and 20-20-20 were made twice weekly from May 10 through
June 20. Insect control consisted of applications of En-
dosulfan (2.5 pints per acre) on May 20; Thiodan (2.5
pints per acre) on May 29; and Asana (9.6 ounces per
acre) on June 12 and June 26. Fungicides applied were
TABLE 1. RATINGS OF THE 2000
SQUASH VARIETY TRIALS1
Location EVSRC
Weather 3
Fertility 5
Irrigation 5
Pests 5
Overall 5
'See introduction for a description of rating scales.
Manex (1.6 quarts per acre) on May 21 and Benlate 50
WP (one pound per acre) on May 31.
Squash were harvested 12 times between June 9 and
June 30. Squash were graded as marketable and nonmar-
ketable according to the United Stated Standards for
Grades of Summer Squash (U.S. Dept. Agr. G.P.O 1987-
TABLE 2. SEED SOURCE, FRUIT TYPE, RELATIVE EARLINESS, AND DISEASE
CLAIMS OF SELECTED SQUASH VARIETIES
Seed Days to Disease Years
Variety Type source harvest claims' evaluated
Destiny I1112 F1 Asgrow - CMV,WMV,ZYMV 97-00
Dixie F1 Asgrow 41 - 94-96,98,00
General Patton F1 Asgrow 41 PY 00
Gold Slice F1 Petoseed 45 - 00
HMX 8714 F1 Harris Moran 45 WMV,ZYM,PRSV 00
Hurricane (Z) F1 Sunseeds 42 - 00
Independence 11(Z) F1 Asgrow 43 WMV,ZYMV 00
Meigs (Z) F1 Asgrow 41 PYG 00
Midas F1 Willhite 53 PM 00
Prelude II F1 Asgrow 40 PM,WMV,ZYMV 97,98,00
Sundance F1 Petoseed 42 - 00
Suwannee F1 Sunseed 45 - 00
' Disease claims: PM = Powdery Mildew; CMV= Cucumber Mosaic Virus; ZYMV = Zucchini
Yellow Mosaic Virus; WMV = Watermelon Mosaic Virus; PRSV = Papaya Ringspot Virus.
2 Precocious variety; PYG=Precocious Yellow Gene, masks symptoms of some viruses.
3 Z= zucchini. - = none available from seed catalogues
180-916:40730 AMS)
(Tables 3 and 4). Earliness
(Table 3) was evaluated
by combining the yields
of the first four harvests.
Early yields were low
overall. 'Dixie', 'Gold
Slice', and 'HMX 8714'
were the top three yield-
ing varieties during early
production (Table 3).
'Dixie' had significantly
higher total marketable
yields (Table 4) than all
other varieites with the
exception of 'Sundance'.
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 19
20 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATiON
TABLE 3. EARLY PRODUCTION AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION OF YELLOW SQUASH
Early market- Early nonmarket- Early market- Early nonmarket-
Variety able weight able weight able number able number
lbs/ac lbs/ac no/ac no/ac
Gold Slice 2,456 802 8,833 4,719
Dixie 2,362 647 14,278 6,776
HMX 8714 2,251 276 5,445 847
Suwannee 1,877 524 12,100 6,292
General Patton 1,734 478 7,502 2,662
Destiny III 1,644 518 8,833 4,598
Prelude II 1,545 627 8,712 11,616
Sundance 1,435 525 8,591 8,470
Midas 877 248 5,082 2,662
Hurricane (Z)' 3,439 455 9,559 2,420
Independence II (Z) 2,756 515 6,776 1,210
Meigs (Z) 1,215 249 9,438 2,783
R
2  
0.75 0.82
CV 28 29
Isd 1,446 1,116
'Z= Zucchini.
TABLE 4.TOTAL PRODUCTION AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION OFYELLOW SQUASH
Market- Nonmarket- Market- Nonmarket- Individual
Variety able yield able yield able number able yield fruit weight
lbs/ac lbs/ac no/ac no/ac lb
Dixie 21,706 16,471 24,250 10,973 0.91
Sundance 17,797 16,745 16,104 13,035 1.12
Suwannee 16,297 13,030 17,246 9,910 0.95
Gold Slice 13,965 8,838 12,818 9,121 1.24
Prelude II 13,097 12,273 16,681 18,868 0.79
Destiny III 10,532 9,125 15,469 11,186 0.67
Midas 9,848 6,857 10,320 5,700 0.95
General Patton 8,818 12,214 14,435 4,583 0.65
HMX 8714 6,051 7,506 9,289 4,792 0.65
Meigs (Z) 1 13,248 13,439 14,902 6,624 
0.89
Hurricane (Z) 10,440 9,332 12,991 5,665 0.81
Independence II (Z) 7,311 6,657 10,093 4,302 
0.72
R2 0.96 0.90
CV 8 17
Isd 5,040 5,627
'Z= Zucchini.
NOTE: Mention of fertilizers or chemical names represents
neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of these prod-
ucts. A list of chemicals recommended for use in disease,
insect, and weed control in vegetable production in Alabama
may be found in the most recent copy of the Alabama Pest
Management Handbook available through the Alabama Coop-
erative Extension System. Contact your county Extension of-
fice for a copy.
20 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE 
VARIETY TRIALS 
21
Variety Evaluation of
SGreenhouse Tomatoes,
Spring 1999
Richard G. Snyder, Jim Curtis, and Lary Hawkins
A greenhouse tomato variety trial was conducted at
the Truck Crops Branch in Crystal Springs, Mississippi,
in the spring of 1999.
Nine indeterminate hybrid greenhouse tomato vari-
eties were included in a trial in greenhouses #5 and #6.
Seeds were planted December 8, 1997, and seedlings were
transplanted January 13, 1998 into two-cubic-foot pine-
bark-filled polyethylene bags. There were four plants per
bag, and 16 plants per plot, with six replications of 'Mis-
sissippi', 'Estancia', and 'Trust' and five replications of
'Grace', 'Blitz', 'Zoltano', 'Style', 'Switch', and '74-52 RZ'.
The experimental design was a randomized complete
block.
Data collected included marketable numbers and
weights of fruit, and cull numbers and weights of fruit. In
addition, culls were separated into a large number of physi-
ological disorder categories to determine possible qual-
ity problems with some of the new varieties and breeding
lines. Since there were unequal replications, data were
analyzed by general linear means (proc GLM) using SAS,
with mean separation by least significant difference.
TABLE 1. YIELD AND QUALITY OF FRUIT FROM
GREENHOUSE TOMATO VARIETY T
Variety Marketable Marketable Total
number weight (Ibs) number
Blitz 233 b 108 bcd 732 b
Style (DRW5007) 237 b 112 bc 652 d
Estancia 230 b 95 e 807 a
Grace(4409) 215 b 98 de 754 b
Mississippi 214 b 108 bcd 621 d
74-52RZ 215 b 105 cde 651 d
Switch 234 b 103 cde 725 bc
Trust 278 a 128 a 693 bc
Zoltano 268 a 117 ab 633 d
Significance
2  
** ** 
**
Isd 26 12 35.1
' Yields are based on 16-plant plots. 2 Mean separation is
Range Test; ** indicates significant at p< or =0.01; ns indicat
Of the varieties and lines included, both 'Grace' and
'Style' have strong tolerance to powdery mildew, which
has become a serious disease problem in some Missis-
sippi greenhouses in recent years. Either of these new
varieties would be of great value, providing that the yield
and quality are comparable to current varieties being
grown.
There were significant differences in marketable num-
bers and weight, as well as total numbers and weights
(Table 1). 'Trust' and 'Zoltano' had a higher marketable
number than all other varieties. 'Trust' also has a higher
marketable weight than all eight other varieties, followed
by 'Zoltano', 'Mississippi', 'Style', and 'Blitz'. For total
numbers of fruit, 'Estancia' had more than any other va-
riety, followed by 'Blitz'. 'Zoltano' had the lowest total
weights of all varieties, followed by 'Style'. All other va-
rieties were not statistically different in total weights, al-
though 'Grace' had the highest numerical value. The low
marketable weights and high total weights of 'Estancia'
suggest that this variety had a very high percentage of
cull fruit. These data show that 'Trust' was the leading
variety in marketable yield,
with 'Estancia' and 'Grace'
I A SPRING 1999 the lowest.
RIAL
1  
Overall, fruit size was
Total 
Fruit smaller 
with this crop 
than
weight (Ibs) 
size (oz) normal 
for greenhouse 
to-
mato crops in this area.
292 a 7.4 cd 'Mississippi' 
had larger
261 b 7.6 bc 
fruit than all other variet-
290 a 
7.3 de ies, 
averaging 8.1 
ounces.
285 a 8.1 
a 'Estancia' 
was the small-
278 a 7.8 b est with 6.6 
ounce fruit on
278 a 7.0 f average.
282 a 7.3 cd Physiological disor-
245 c 7.0 ef ders, by number 
of fruit,
14. were separated into 17 cat-
egories (Tables 2A and
s by Duncan's New Multiple 2B). There were no signifi-
es not significant at p=0.05. cant differences 
in zipper
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
21
22 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
STATION
scar, catfacing, puffiness, or irregular ripening among the
nine varieties in this evaluation. A summary of physi-
ological disorders for those that were significantly differ-
ent follows.
'Mississippi' led in number of fruit with jumbo culls.
'Estancia' had the most small (undersized) fruit, which
goes along with this variety having the lowest average
fruit size (6.6 ounces). 'Blitz' had the most rough-shaped
fruit. 'Grace' had the most fruit with poor skin surface,
closely followed by 'Mississippi', 'Estancia', and '74-52
RZ'. 'Mississippi' also led in radial cracking, while
'Estancia' led in concentric cracking, closely followed by
'Grace'. 'Grace' had the most russetted fruit, followed
closely by 'Estancia'. 'Switch' had the most skin splits.
'Grace' had the most green shoulder fruit, closely fol-
lowed by '74-52 RZ'. 'Mississippi' had the most striped
fruit, sometimes a symptom of whitefly damage. 'Zoltano'
had much more blossom-end rot than any other variety.
'Style' also has some problem with this disorder. 'Switch'
had a lot more soft fruit than any other variety. There was
some problem with 'Estancia' having this disorder as well.
At the end of the growing season, remaining green
fruit were removed and counted. There were no signifi-
cant differences in green fruit, though 'Blitz' and
'Estancia' had the most green fruit still remaining on
plants. These numbers were added into totals for the crop
for each variety.
'Trust', the leading variety in North America at this
writing, performed well for marketable yield, and also had
the least problem with all 17 physiological disorders.
'Blitz' and 'Style' also did fairly well in resisting physi-
ological disorders.
TABLE 2A. SIZE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS OF FRUIT FROM A SPRING 1999
GREENHOUSE TOMATO VARIETY TRIAL
1
Jumbo Rough Poor Radial Concentric Russetted Zipper Split
Variety culls Small shape skin cracks cracks skin scar skin
no no no no no no no no no
Blitz (3558) 11.4 bc 240 b 225 a 37 de 59 cd 31 bc 160 cde 5.2 17.2
Style (DRW5007) 5.0 d 209 bcd 105 e 49 bcd 80 bc 25 c 178 cd 3.4 7.0C
Estancia 5.8 cd 374 a 129 cde 55 abc 39 de 42 a 237 ab 4.7 15.8B
Grace (4409) 4.8 d 250 b 130 cde 65 a 92 b 39 ab 251 a 4.4 16.2B
Mississippi 20.8 a 127 f 143 bcd 57 ab 119 a 22 c 119 ef 
3.5 5.7C
74-52 RZ 14.0 b 157 ef 162 b 55 ab 35 e 29 bc 195 bc 4.2 4.6C
Switch 7.0 cd 232 bc 154 bcd 38 de 44 de 32 bc 182 cd 
5.4 32.4A
Trust 6.3 cd 191 cde 123 de 43 cde 59 cd 26 c 148 
def 2.7 17.7B
Zoltano 3.0 d 178 de 154 bc 33 e 22 e 5 d 105 f 1.0 
2.2C
Significance
2  
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ns **
Isd 6.3 48 30 12 22 10 45 -
8.2
1 Yields are based on 16-plant plots. 
2 
Mean separation is by least significant difference; ** indicates significant at p< or
=0.01; * indicates p< or =0.05; ns indicates not significant at p=0.05.
TABLE 2B. SIZE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDERS OF FRUIT FROM A SPRING 1999
GREENHOUSE TOMATO VARIETY TRIAL
1
Green Striped Cat Irregular Blossom
Variety shoulder fruit face ripening Puffy end rot Jumbo 
Soft Green
no no no no no no no no no
Blitz (3558) 105 cd 0.4 b 1.6 17.6 0.8 3.6 c 2.2 bc 14.4 cd 
38.8
Style (DRW5007) 89 d 0.2 b 1.8 3.6 1.0 10.2 b 5.2 ab 22.0 c 
20.6
Estancia 30bc 0.2 b 3.2 6.8 1.7 5.2 
bc 0.3 c 41.2 b 32.7
Grace (4409) 169 a 0.4 b 2.0 15.8 1.2 7.4 
bc 1.8 c 19.6 c 24.0
Mississippi 99 d 2.5 a 1.5 26.8 1.0 7.5 
bc 7.5 a 14.3 cd 22.7
74-52 RZ 156 ab 0.2 b 1.6 17.6 0.8 4.4 bc 
2.4 bc 23.4 c 16.8
Switch 88 d 1.2 b 1.2 8.0 1.0 2.0 c 
3.4 bc 98.8 a 24.4
Trust 94 d 0.2 b 1.5 4.3 0.5 3.5 c 1.5 c 24.0 
c 32.3
Zoltano 97 d 0.6 b 0.6 16.4 0.6 29.2 a 
0.6 c 3.6 d 12.8
Significances ** ** ns ns ns ** ** 
** ns
Isd 29.5 1.2 - - - 6.5 3.2 14.1 
-
1 Yields are based on 16-plant plots.
2 
Mean separation is by least significant difference; ** indicates significant at p< 
or
=0.01; * indicates p< or =0.05; ns indicates not significant at p=0.05.
22 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE 
VARIETY TRIALS 
23
) Variety Evaluation of
Greenhouse Tomatoes,
SSpring 2000
Richard G. Snyder, Jim Curtis, and Larry Harkins
r
/ /4
I
-4
A trial of 12 hybrid indeterminate greenhouse to-
mato varieties was performed in greenhouse #5 and green-
house #6 at the Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station
in Crystal Springs in the spring of 2000.
For this trial, several newer varieties were selected to
compare to 'Trust', the standard beefsteak variety used
in North America. Seeds were planted on November 30,
1999, and seedlings were transplanted on January 5, 2000
into two-cubic-foot pine-bark-filled white-on-black lami-
nated polyethylene bags. There were four plants per bag,
and 16 plants per plot, with four replications. The experi-
mental design was a randomized complete block, with
two blocks in each greenhouse (divided north vs. south).
Data collected included marketable numbers and
weights of fruit, and cull numbers and weights of fruit.
Normally, culls were graded severely and separated into
a large number of physiological disorder categories to
determine possible quality problems with some of the
new varieties and breeding lines. In this experiment, how-
ever, there was a serious infestation with tomato spotted
wilt virus. Detailed grading was discontinued due to the
high number of culls caused by disease. Therefore, only
total and marketable yield are presented. Fruit size was
calculated by dividing marketable weights by marketable
numbers. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance,
with mean separation by Duncan's New Multiple Range
Test.
There were significant differences among varieties
in marketable number, marketable weight, total number,
and fruit size. Variety '72-93 RZ' had higher marketable
number than any other variety, but this would be expected
since this is a grape type tomato. Next in marketable num-
ber were 'FA-1407', 'Belladonna', 'Electra', and 'Gabriella'.
As for marketable weights, 'FA-1407' and 'Belladonna'
had the most yield. 'Colette' was lowest in both market-
able numbers and weights. The variety with the highest
total number was also '71-93 RZ', due to its diminutive
size. Other varieties with high total number include
YIELD AND QUALITY OF FRUIT FROM A SPRING 1999
GREENHOUSE TOMATO VARIETY TRIAL
1
Variety Marketable Marketable Total Total Fruit
number weight (Ibs) number weight (Ibs) size (oz)
Electra
Francesca
Colette
Belladonna
Baronie
Trust
Blitz
Mississippi
FA-1414
FA-1407
Quest (DRW5018)
72-93 RZ
Significance
2
115 b
114 b
29 c
121 b
68 bc
104 b
76 bc
62 bc
110 b
131 b
82 bc
534 a
56.4 ab
54.3 abc
13.7 d
65.0 a
34.4 c
46.8 abc
39.0 bc
32.9 c
54.5 abc
63.0 a
43.9 abc
45.4 abc
**
454 b
398 b
342 b
324 b
278 b
397 b
286 b
307 b
372 b
429 b
286 b
1826 a
**
152.0
144.9
114.3
134.9
111.9
141.2
110.6
127.2
144.5
156.0
117.1
108.6
ns
7.8 ab
7.6 b
7.5 b
8.6a
8.1 ab
7.4 b
8.1 ab
8.5 a
8.0 ab
7.6 b
8.6 a
1.4c
'Electra' and 'FA-1407'.
While total weights were
not significantly different,
'FA-1407' tended to be
highest, followed closely
by 'Electra'. The largest
varieties were 'Bella-
donna', 'Quest', and 'Mis-
sissippi'. The grape type
variety, '72-93-RZ' was
smallest, as would be ex-
pected.
Due to the high rate
of tomato spotted wilt vi-
rus in this trial, the data
should not be regarded as
conclusive.
1 Yields are based on 16-plant plots. 2 Mean separation is by Duncan's New Multiple
Range Test; ** indicates significant at p< or =0.01; ns indicates not significant at p=0.05.
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY 
TRIALS 23
24 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
4B<' >2
lHybrid Triploid and
Diploid Watermelon
Cultivar Trials, 2000
Jonathan Schultheis, Dennis Adams, George Clark, and Kirby Jones
New hybrid watermelon cultivars are being intro-
duced by commercial seed companies on an annual ba-
sis, and it is important that watermelon growers know the
specific characteristics of a particular cultivar when con-
sideration is given to growing and marketing a new culti-
var. This publication provides up-to-date information on
fruit quality and yield potential of diploid and triploid
red-flesh watermelon cultivars/lines under North Caro-
lina growing conditions.
Sixty-five lines/cultivars (cultigens; 33 triploids and
32 diploids) were examined for yield potential, fruit size,
and interior and exterior quality evaluations (rind thick-
ness, length-diameter ratio, hollow heart, flesh color, and
sweetness). The watermelons were grown on the Central
Crops Research Station at Clayton, North Carolina, with
the cooperation of the station staff. The soil type there is
a Norfolk loamy sand.The cultigens included in the test
are listed along with the seed company and rind descrip-
tions (Tables 1A and IB).
Nitrogen, phosphate (P
2
0
5
), and potash (K
2
0) were
broadcast and disk incorporated (30-0-80, pounds per
acre) prior to fumigation. On April 11 the plots were fumi-
gated with Telone C-17 (9.9 gallons per acre) and immedi-
ately covered with 1.25 mil black plastic (NC Plastic Prod-
ucts, Morganton, North Carolina); trickle tube was placed
just beneath the soil surface. Plots were 20 feet long, and
the beds were on 10-foot centers. In-row plants were
spaced two feet apart. A total of 10 plants were planted
per plot while each cultigen/treatment was replicated four
times. The cultigen/treatments were planted in an alter-
nate pattern of triploid, diploid, within and across rows,
to allow for sufficient pollination.
Seed were sown in LE 1803 transplant trays (Land-
mark Plastics Corp.; Akron, Ohio) on April 3, using a
commercial soil-less growing media (Fafard 4P; Conrad
Fafard, Inc.; Agawam, Maine). The trays were moistened
to capacity 24 hours prior to seeding, then allowed to
drain over night. The seeded trays were placed in a ger-
mination chamber at 850 F, until a small percentage (less
than 10 percent) of seedlings started to emerge. Seedling
emergence data were collected on the triploids at seven
and 14 days. The watermelons were transplanted in the
field on May 3. A starter solution was applied using 20-
20-20 (one pound per 50 gallons water) and Diazinon (three
ounces per 50 gallons water) for soil insect control. Plots
with missing plants were replanted seven days after plant-
ing. Only a few plots had three or more missing plants. Trickle
irrigation was applied (8 mil., 12-inch spacing, 24 gallons per
hour) using Ro-Drip (Roberts Irrigation Products, Inc.; San
Marcos, California), over the growing season.
Fertigation was initiated one week after transplant-
ing and applied weekly thereafter. Total fertilizer applied
for the entire season was 122-0-235. Pesticides were ap-
plied according to the NC Agricultural Chemicals
Manual recommendations. Alanap L (six quarts per acre),
Curbit 3 EC (four pints per acre), and Gramoxone (three
pints per acre) were applied preplant between the plastic
for weed control. A shielded application of Roundup (two
quarts per acre) was applied between the plastic prior to
ground cover by vines. The purpose of this application
was to control or suppress yellow nutsedge. Alternate
application of fungicides (Quadris, Bravo, and Maneb
75DF) were made on a weekly basis according to the NC
Agricultural Chemicals Manual to reduce the chance of
disease resistance.
There were two harvests; the first was July 10 [68
days after field planting (DAP)] and the second was July
25 (83 DAP). Each ripe fruit was harvested and catego-
rized according to the weight classes reported in Table 2.
The percentage fruit by number and weight were de-
termined for each category for both harvests. In addition,
earliness was determined by making two harvests and
determining the percentage fruit picked for each harvest.
Total marketable weight and number were based on fruit
that were eight pounds or greater for both diploid and
triploid watermelons.
Finally, several quality evaluations were made. The
tendency to produce hollow heart for each watermelon
24 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
.'.
TABLE 1A. TRIPLOID CULTIVARS INCLUDED IN STUDY
Name Seed company Rind pattern
ACX 257 Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
Elation D. Palmer Seed Co., Inc
Enchantment D. Palmer Seed Co., Inc.
EX 4510759 Asgrow
EX 4590249 Asgrow
(Wrigley)
EX 4590339 Asgrow
(Cooperstown)
Freedom
Gem-Dandy
HMX 8913
HMX 8914
Millenium
Millionaire
Premiere
Revolution
RWM 8073-VP
RWM 8089-VP
SeedWay 4502
Slice n' Serve
830
Summer Sweet
Var. 5524
Summer Sweet
Var. 5544
SWT 6703
SWT 8705
SWT 9708
XWT 8706
XWT 8707
Til
Triple Prize
Tri-X-313
Tri-X-Palomar
Tri-X-Shadow
W 5051
W 5052
WX 55
Sunseeds
Willhite Seed inc.
Harris-Moran Seed Co.
Harris-Moran Seed Co.
Harris-Moran Seed Co.
Harris-Moran Seed Co.
Southwestern Seed Co.
Sunseeds
Novartis(Rogers)
Novartis(Rogers)
SeedWay
Southwestern Seed Co.
Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
Sakata Seed America, Inc.
Sakata Seed America, Inc.
Sakata Seed America, Inc.
Sakata Seed America, Inc.
Sakata Seed America, Inc.
D. Palmer Seed Co., Inc.
SeedWay
Novartis(Rogers)
Novartis(Rogers)
Novartis(Rogers)
Sunseeds
Sunseeds
Willhite Seed Inc.
Indistinct, dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, medium dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, wide dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, med wide, dark green stripes on It-med green background
Triploid Indistinct, dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, med wide, dark green stripes on light green background
Distinct, dk green stripes light green background
Indistinct, wide to med, dk green stripes on dk green background
Distinct, med wide, dark green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, dk green stripes on light green background
Narrow very dk green stripes on dark-green backgrd, appears solid dk-
green
Distinct, dark green stripes on light green background
Distinct, wide, dark green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, dark green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, solid, dark green
Distinct, med wide, dark green stripes on light green background
Distinct, narrow, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, dk green stripes on med green background
Indistinct, dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, narrow, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, wide med green stripes on light green background
Distinct, narrow, dark green stripes on light green background
Distinct, med wide, dark green stripes on light green background
Distinct, very narrow, dark green stripes with light green background
Distinct, med wide, dark green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, wide med/green, stripes on light green background
Indistinct, narrow, dk green stripes on med green background, solid
med-green
Distinct, dk gm stripes on med gm background, solid med gm appearance
Indistinct, med to wide, dark green stripes on light green background
Distinct, wide, dark green stripes on light green background
Distinct, med to wide, dark green stripes on light green background
TABLE 2. WEIGHT CLASSES FOR WATERMELON
VARIETIES
Class Triploids Class Diploids
1 < 8.0 lb. 1 <8.0 Ib.
2 8.0 to 14.0 Ib 2 8.0 to 16.0 lb.
3 14.0 to 18.0 lb. 3 16.0 to 24.0 lb.
4 18.0 to 22.0 lb. 4 24.0+ lb.
5 22.0+ lb.
OUIIIIII~I ~W~cLL ~UUUIL (r ~UUU. IIICI. III~I~1III~1. un ulccll 3ulve
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 25
TABLE 1 B. DIPLOID CULTIVARS INCLUDED IN STUDY
Name Seed company Rind pattern
ACX 5411
ACX 5451
Athens (W 5025)
Celebration
Corporal
Crimson Sweet
Delta (PS36594)
Dumara
Falcon
Festival
Fiesta
Lady
Mardi Gras
Pinata
(Large Seed)
Pinata
(Small Seed)
Regency
RWM 8036
Sentinel
(PS36694)
Starbrite
Stargazer
Stars 'N Stripes
Summer Flavor
Var. 800
Summer Flavor
Var. 900
Summer Flavor
Var. 910
SWD 8307
W 5023
W 5036
WX 8
WX 22
WX 24
WX 30
XP 4525247
Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
Sunseeds
Novartis(Rogers)
Petoseed
Willhite Seed Inc.
Petoseed
Sunseeds
Petoseed
Willhite Seed Inc.
Novartis(Rogers)
Sunseeds
Novartis(Rogers)
Willhite Seed Inc.
Willhite Seed Inc.
Petoseed
Novartis(Rogers)
Petoseed
Asgrow
Asgrow
Asgrow
Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
Sakata Seed America, Inc.
Sunseeds
Sunseeds
Willhite Seed Inc.
Southwestern Seed Co.
Southwestern Seed Co.
Southwestern -Seed Co.
Asgrow
Indistinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Distinct, very wide, med-dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, wide, med- dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Distinct, wide, dk-med green stripes on light green background
Distinct, med/wide, dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, wide, med-dk green stripes on medium green background
Indistinct, wide, med green stripes on light green background
Distinct, very wide, dk-med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, wide, med-dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, narrow, dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, wide, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, wide, med green stripes on light green background
Distinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, wide, med-dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, med, dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, narrow, dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, very wide, dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, medium, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, very wide, med-dk grn stripes on Igt-med grn backgrd
Indistinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, very wide, med green stripes on med green background
Indistinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Distinct, very wide, med-dk green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, dk green stripes on light green background
Distinct, very wide, med green stripes on light green background
Distinct, med-wide, med green stripes on light green background
Indistinct, very wide, very-dk grn stripes on light grn background
(T\CrL'r; CAI\ACA I7A+; A I A~C I )) C~v
26 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL 
VEGETABLE VARIETY 
TRIALS 
27
entry was determined by cutting open five melons from
each plot and counting and measuring those melons that
had the defect. Hollow heart information was collected
over both harvests, with most information coming from
the first harvest if enough fruit for sampling were avail-
able. In addition, the severity of hollow heart was deter-
mined by measuring the length and width of the cavity at
its greatest distances. Fruit shape was determined by
measuring the length and width of five melons from each
plot. Similarly, the same five melons were used to.mea-
sure the rind thickness. Sweetness was determined by
taking soluble solid measurements with a refractometer
by sampling the center of the fruit on the first five melons
that were ripe, which were representative of the water-
melon entry. Flesh was rated from 1 = white to 5 = blood
red on five melons per replication (20 total).
Triploid
Foliage damage by ozone was significant in this
study. This may have reduced yield. Based on total mar-
ketable yields, the cutivars which yielded more than 55,000
pounds included 'Elation', 'EX 4510759', 'EX 4590249'
(Wrigley), 'HMX 8913', 'HMX 8914', 'Revolution', 'Triple
Prize', and 'W 5052'. Large fruit were produced with the
cultivars 'Elation', 'Freedom', 'Revolution', 'SeedWay
4502', 'W 5051', and 'W 5052'. The number of fruit pro-
duced per acre, regardless of cultivar, was considerably
greater than the 700 per acre average for North Carolina.
Almost all cultivars produced more than 3,000 fruit per
acre. ' HMX 8913' produced the highest number per acre,
4,737, followed by 'EX 4590249' (Wrigley) with 4,628 fruit
produced per acre.
Hollow heart is a fruit defect that was present in
most cultivars evaluated. The cultivars 'Elation', 'Free-
dom', 'Revolution', 'RWM 8073-VP', 'Slice n' Serve 830',
'Triple Prize', and 'Summer Sweet Var. 5244' developed
the most hollow heart with 50 percent or greater of their
fruits exhibiting the symptoms; whereas, 'ACX 257',
'SeedWay 4502', and 'Tri-X-Palomar' had only 15 per-
cent hollow heart. Soluble solids (sugars) in all cultivars
were 11 or more, with cultivars above 12.5 being 'EX
4510759', 'Revolution', and 'SWT 8705'. Cultivars 'ACX
257', 'Millionaire', and 'XWT 8706' had the thickest rind,
while the cultivars with the thinnest rind were 'Millenium'
and 'Til'. The cultivars with the best flesh color (reddest)
were 'EX 4590249' (Wrigley), 'EX 4590339'
(Cooperstown), 'Revolution', and 'Til'. However, all in-
terior flesh color had an acceptable red hue.
Some cultivars had a greater percentage of fruit
picked in the initial harvest. Those cultivars with at least
60 percent of their fruit harvested the first or initial har-
vest were 'Freedom', 'Millenium', 'SWT 9708', 'Tri-X-
Shadow', and 'WX-55'. A few cultivars produced more
than 60 percent of their fruit at the second harvest; these
were 'ACX 257', 'EX 4590249' (Wrigley), 'HMX 8913', 'W
5051', and 'W 5052'.
All cultivars produced the most fruit (by weight and
number) in the eight to 14.0 or 14.0 to 18.0 pound catego-
ries. Only a small percentage of harvested watermelons
were in the less than eight-pound category. By weight,
the largest percentage (more than 60 percent) of eight to
14 pound fruit was produced by the cultivars 'Millenium',
'RWM 8089-VP, 'SWT 6703', 'Til', 'Tri-X-Shadow', and
'XWT 8707'; and very few large fruit were produced that
weighed more than 22 pounds.
There are several new lines or cultivars that one might
consider producing, depending on the market. When con-
sidering high yields and quality in this study, 'EX 4590249'
(Wrigley), 'Elation', and 'SeedWay 4502' show promise.
A grower may want to try these cultivars to determine
how they perform in a commercial operation. Currently
the following red flesh triploid cultivars are recommended
for commercial production in North Carolina: 'Gem Dandy',
'Freedom', 'Millenium', 'Millionaire', 'Revolution', 'Sum-
mer Sweet Var. 5244', 'Tri-X-Palomar', 'Tri-X-Shadow',
and 'Tri-X-313'.
Diploid
Foliage damage by ozone was significant in this
study. This may have reduced yield. Based on total mar-
ketable yields, the cutivars which yielded more than 55,000
pounds included 'Fiesta', 'Starbrite', 'Stars-N-Stripes',
and 'Summer Flavor Var. 800'. The largest fruit were pro-
duced with cultivars 'Corporal', 'Pinata' (Small Seed),
'RWM 8036', 'Starbrite', 'WX-8', and 'WX-24'. Almost
all cultivars produced more than 2,000 fruit per acre. The
cultivar 'Fiesta' produced the highest number of fruit per
acre, 3,267, followed by 'Stars-N-Stripes' with 3,104.
Hollow heart is a fruit quality defect that was found
in all but four of the cultivars evaluated. The cultivars
'Festival' and 'WX-24' developed the most hollow heart
with 50 percent or greater of their fruits exhibiting the
symptoms; whereas, 'ACX 5451', 'Athens, 'Delta', and
'Sentinel' had no hollow heart. The LD ratio is the length-
to-diameter ratio. Some of the cultivars with very elon-
gated fruit included 'Corporal', 'Falcon', 'Festival', 'Stars-
N-Stripes', 'Summer Flavor Var. 900', 'Summer Flavor Var.
910', 'WX-24', and 'XP 4525247'. Round or oblong in-
cluded the cultivars 'Crimson Sweet' and 'Pinata' (Small
NOTE: Information in this research series report is believed to
be reliable and its accuracy, completeness and interpretation
are not guaranteed and should not be relied on as a sole source
of information. The data contained in this publication are made
available to interested persons so that they will be informed as
to some of the efforts being undertaken in watermelon re-
search and extension.
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
27
28 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
Seeded). Soluble solids (sugars) in all cultivars were
above 10.5. The cultivars with the high sugars were 'Delta'
and 'Sentinel'. 'WX-24' had the thickest rind while the
thinnest rind cultivar was 'XP 4525247'. The cultivars
with the best flesh color (reddest) were 'Falcon', 'SWD
8307', and 'XP 4525247'. However, all interior flesh color
had an acceptable red hue. A substantial number of the
fruit from the cultivar 'Corporal' had a bottle-neck shape.
Those cultivars which were ready for harvest early
(at least 70 percent of their fruit were removed during the
first harvest) were 'Delta', 'Falcon', 'Festival', 'Fiesta',
'Lady', 'Mardi Gras'. 'Pinata' (Large Seed), 'Pinata' (Small
Seed), 'Regency', 'Starbrite', 'WX-22', 'WX-24', and 'XP
4525247' (Table 3). A few cultivars produced more than
40 percent of their fruit at the second harvest; these were
'ACX 5411', 'ACX 5451', 'Athens', 'Crimson Sweet', 'Star-
gazer', 'Stars-N-Stripes', 'Summer Flavor Var. 900', 'SXW
5023', and 'SXW 5036'.
All cultivars produced most fruit (by weight and num-
ber) in the 16.0 to 24.0 pound category. Only a small
percentage of harvested watermelons were in the less-
than-eight-pound category. By weight, the largest per-
centage (more than 50 percent) of 16- to 24-pound fruit
was produced by most all cultivars; and those that pro-
duced the largest percentage (more than 35 percent) of
large fruit (24+) pounds were 'Corporal', 'Starbrite', and
'WX-24'.
Some ofthe best-yielding cultivars with excellent qual-
ity based on these test results are currently recommended
for commercial production. They include the cultivars
'Fiesta', 'Mardi Gras', 'Starbrite', and 'Stars-N-Stripes'.
Two of the promising cultivars in this test included 'Ath-
ens' and 'Summer Flavor Var. 800'. They had high yields,
minimal or no hollow heart, and high sugar content. Other
commercially recommended red-flesh seeded cultivars
include 'Carnival', 'Early Jubilee', 'Regency', 'Royal Ju-
bilee', 'Royal Majesty', 'Royal Star', 'Royal Sweet',
'Sangria', and 'Stargazer'.
TABLE 3. PERCENTAGE DIPLOID RED-FLESH
WATERMELON HARVEST BY DATE OF HARVEST
Variety
ACX 5411
ACX 5451
Athens
Celebration
Corporal
Crimson Sweet
Delta (PS36594)
Dumara
Falcon
Festival
Fiesta
Lady
Mardi Gras
Pinata (Large Seed)
Pinata (Small Seed)
Regency
RWM 8036
Sentinel (PS36694)
Starbrite
Stargazer
Stars 'N Stripes
Summer Flavor Var. 800
Summer Flavor Var. 900
Summer Flavor Var. 910
SWD 8307
SXW 5023
SXW 5036
WX8
WX22
WX24
WX 30
XP 4525247
Average
Harvest date--
July 10 July 25
59 41
53 47
58 42
64 36
69 31
55 45
77 23
69 31
81 19
82 18
79 21
83 17
74 26
80 20
77 23
75 25
66 34
69 31
71 29
54 46
60 40
68 32
53 47
65 35
61 39
57 43
55 45
65 35
73 27
77 23
65 35
73 27
68 32
,,
U113 W~IL 111 LIIL 1~33-
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION28
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE 
VARIETY TRIALS 
29
Triploid Watermelon
Cultivar Evaluation,
1v le
"' r //i
Summer 2000
Richard G. Snyder, Peter Hudson, Kent Cushman, and Thomas Horgan
Fifteen varieties of triploid (seedless) watermelon
were included in a variety trial at the Truck Crops Branch
Station in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, in the summer of
2000. A similar evaluation was conducted at the North
Mississippi Branch Station at Verona.
Seed of 15 varieties of triploid watermelon were
seeded in the greenhouse on April 17, 2000. All test vari-
eties were red fleshed with a 'Crimson Sweet' rind pat-
tern, and stated by the seed companies to be in the 12- to
20-pound size class.
To insure good pollination, 'Charleston Grey' was
selected as a pollinizer variety. This variety has a differ-
ent appearance than the triploids being tested, which
avoided confusion during harvest. 'CharlestonGrey' was
seeded April 10 to be sure it was established and flower-
ing before pollen would be needed by the other varieties.
Pollinizer plants were transplanted to the field on
May 10 and triploids were transplanted on May 17. Plants
were arranged in a randomized complete block design
with four replications. Plants were spaced 2.5 feet apart
within the row, and six feet apart between rows (15 square
feet per plant), with 10 plants per plot. This is equivalent
to a plant population of 2,904 plants per acre. 'Charleston
Grey' was planted five feet apart within the row (30 square
feet per plant), with five plants per plot, due to its higher
vigor than the triploids.
YIELD, FRUIT SIZE, AND QUALITY OF TRIPLOID WATERMELON VARIEITES
Early Soluble
Variety -Total yield - Marketable yield harvest 
2  
Size ' solids content 3
lbs/ac no/ac Ib s/ac no/a % lb %
Constitution 58,988 5,808 58,632 5,663 43 10.3 12.4
Millionaire 56,497 5,372 55,822 5,155 32 10.8 11.8
Tri-X Brand 313 55,060 5,372 53,426 4,864 48 11.0 12.5
Seedway 4502 54,406 4,719 54,160 4,574 43 11.8 11.8
Asgrow 9024 52,185 5,372 51,568 5,155 35 10.0 12.4
Triple Crown 51,590 4,937 50,639 4,646 46 10.9 11.3
RVM 8073-VP 49,883 4,501 49,644 4,356 51 11.4 12.3
Asgrow 9033 49,840 4,792 49,840 4,719 40 10.5 12.1
SWT8705 49,796 4,646 49,796 4,429 58 11.2 10.9
Gem-Dandy 48,591 5,372 47,923 5,009 35 9.6 12.0
Diamond 46,878 4,211 46,304 3,848 69 12.0 12.3
Summer Sweet 5544 46,493 4,574 45,963 4,283 54 10.7 11.9
Tri-X Brand Carousel 45,578 4,356 45,099 4,066 51 11.1 12.0
Sapphire 41,491 4,066 39,988 3,485 64 11.4 12.0
Genesis 41,171 4,792 39,640 4,283 61 9.3 11.5
Isd (P=O.05)
4  
ns ns ns 1115.6 19.8 1.16 ns
Yield and size of melons based on melons greater than five pounds. Yield based on plant population of 2904 plants per
acre (15 square feet per plant). Rows spaced six feet apart with plants 2.5 feet apart in the row. Least squares means are
reported for fruit size.
2 Percentage early by weight. Approximately 40% of the total marketable yield was considered "early" by selecting
harvest dates.
3 Average of three samples from each of four replications. Least squares means reported.
4 Least Significant Difference (Isd) at P=0.05. Treatments not significantly different (ns).
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
29
I I~IL LVVV VVII
30 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
The pollinizer variety was planted in every other plot
in each block using a checkerboard pattern to be certain
that pollen was well distributed among test varieties. Also,
two honey bee hives were placed adjacent to the field to
be sure that bee population was adequate.
The soil at the Truck Crops Station is a fine-silty,
mixed, thermic Typic Fragiudalf. The rows were estab-
lished on raised beds and were covered with black plastic
mulch with trickle irrigation tubing beneath (rated at 0.5
gallons per 100 feet at 10 pounds per square inch). Plants
were hand planted through holes cut in the mulch. Pre-
plant and sidedressing fertilizer were applied according
to the results of a soil test performed at the Mississippi
State University Soil Testing Lab, with sidedressings via
drip tape.
Harvest began on July 12 and concluded on July 28.
Each melon was weighed individually. Data collected in-
cluded total and marketable numbers and weights of fruit.
Fruit smaller than five pounds were considered unmar-
ketable. In addition, fruit Brix (soluble solids) was recorded
on two dates. On each date, one mature fruit per plot was
cut and three samples were drawn from near the center.
The three readings from each fruit were averaged. Brix
was read with a hand held refractometer.
Data were analyzed by analysis of variance, with mean
separation by least significant difference.
Frequency plot of individual melon weights from triplo
summer 2000.
CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI - CRYSTAL SPRII
Frequency Plot of Individual Melon Weig
25
20
C')
15
CD
10
o O~
.N 0 >L
o 3
U)
' C CM) LC)
o G- o
U) 
U)
<q H <3
M
ti
Oo
>r
n,
'Constitution' had the highest total weights and num-
bers, as well as marketable weights and numbers, with
58,988 pounds per acre total and 58,632 pounds per acre
marketable (see table). However, only marketable num-
bers were significantly different at p=0.05. Other high
yielding cultivars, by marketable number, included
'Asgrow 9024', 'Millionaire' (these two are tfled), and 'Gem
Dandy'. Table 1 shows variables arranged in descending
order by total weights per acre.
There were also significant differences in percent-
age early harvest, with 'Diamond', 'Sapphire', and 'Gen-
esis' in the lead, with 69, 64, and 61 percent early, respec-
tively. 'SWT8705' was also a good performer, with 58
percent early.
All varieties averaged 10 to 12 pounds in size, nota-
bly smaller than the size claimed by seed companies for
most varieties. Melons less than five pounds were con-
sidered unmarketable. 'Diamond' was the largest, at 12
pounds, followed by 'Seedway 4502' at 11.8 pounds, 'Sap-
phire' at 11.4 pounds, and 'RVM 8073VP' at 11.4 pounds.
The individual fruit size distribution is shown in the fig-
ure (each circle represents one melon). It is evident that
some varieties were more uniform in size, while others
had a wide variance around the mean.
There were no significant differences in soluble sol-
ids, with all varieties consistently in the 10.9 to 12.5 per-
cent range. The trend was
id watermelon 
evaluation, for 
'Tri-X Brand 
313',
' Constitution', and
NGS 
'Asgrow 9024' 
to lead in
hts sweetness, all averaging
12.4 to 12.5 percent.
There was a very low
........................................... 25 incidence 
of hollow heart
and rind necrosis in some
m fruit, 
though these traits
....... . ......0................20 
did not appear 
to be con-
o 
a
9 0 sistent in any variety.
o 0 .
Inasimilar evaluation
o at Verona, Mississippi,
'Millionaire' was also one
10 of the best varieties 
for
yield.
0 E LO 0 C
E 0 
02 C .
0
0
C
. . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
O
o f IL I I I I I I I I I I I JI0
30 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEG ETABLE VARIETY TRIALS- 3
Seedless Watermelons
Tested in Northern
Mississippi
Kent E. Cushman, Rick G. Snyder, Thomas E. Horgan, David H. Nagel, and Muhammad Maqbool
This replicated trial was planted at the North Missis-
sippi Research & Extension Center in Verona, Missis-
sippi, during the summer of 2000. Seed of the 20 triploid
entries were planted into 72-cell flats in greenhouses on
April 21, 2000. All entries had red flesh and a 'Crimson
Sweet' rind pattern and weighed from 12 to 20 pounds
according to seed company descriptions.
Seedlings were planted to the field by hand on May
15 with the aid of a waterwheel transplanter. Seedlings
were spaced two feet apart in plots 30 feet long, making a
total of 15 plants per plot. This was equivalent to 2,904
plants per acre and 15 square feet per plant.
Triploid watermelons do not produce enough pollen
on their own and therefore require a pollinator, a diploid,
to supply pollen. 'Charleston Grey' was used as the pol-
linator in this study because of its distinctly different
rind pattern that could be easily distinguished from the
triploid entries. 'Charleston Grey' was seeded into 72-cell
flats in the greenhouse on April 7 and again on April 17
and transplanted to the field April 28 and again May 8.
Planting of 'Charleston Grey' one to two weeks prior to
the triploids assured that pollen was available at the time
triploids began to flower.
'Charleston Grey' produces a larger and more vigor-
ous vine than the triploid entries and therefore was planted
at half the density of the triploids. Transplants were
spaced four feet apart in plots 30 feet long, making a total
of seven plants per plot and providing about 30 square
feet per plant. Triploid and pollinator plants were planted
in a 1:1 ratio in this study, though the recommended ratio
for commercial production is typically one pollinator for
every two to four triploids. 'Charleston Grey' and triploid
plots were arranged in a checkerboard pattern so that
each triploid plot was surrounded on all sides by pollina-
tor plots. Four beehives were placed in the center of the
field for the duration of the study.
The experimental design was a randomized complete
block design with four replications. Blocking was arranged
according to location of rows so that outside rows were
blocked with outside rows; that is, the first and fourth
row of each set of four rows were blocked together, and
inside rows were blocked with inside rows; that is, the
second and third rows of each set of four rows were
blocked together. Blocking in this manner controlled varia-
tion due to edge effect.
This study was located on upland soils of the Verona
experiment station. Plant beds were formed six inches high
and 30 inches across the top with a press-pan-type bed
shaper. Beds were spaced 7.5 ft apart, center to center,
with a drive row 17 feet wide located every four rows. The
entire experiment, excluding drive rows, was one acre.
Preplant fertilizer was placed in the plant bed during
formation at the rate of 80 pounds of N, 115 pounds of
P
2
0
5
, and 225 pounds of K
2
0 per acre. Black plastic mulch
and drip tape, rated at 0.5 gallons per minute per 100 feet
at 10 pounds per square inch, was applied immediately
after bed formation. Curbit EC (ethalfluaralin) herbicide was
used to control weeds between the plastic-covered rows.
Water or fertilizer solution was applied through the
drip tape to supply at least one acre-inch of irrigation per
week. Soluble fertilizer was applied by injecting a con-
centrated solution of NH
4
NO
3 
or CaNO
3 
when vines be-
gan to run and supplied an additional 25 pounds of N per
acre. Asana XL or Thiodan EC was mixed with Bravo WS
or Quadris and sprayed on a seven- to 10-day schedule
for insect and disease control.
Harvest began July 10 and ended August 4. Melons
from each plot were weighed individually. At least three
melons from each plot were cut open and observed for
severity of hollow heart and bacterial rind necrosis. These
melons were also sampled for soluble solids content with
a hand-held refractometer. Hollow heart and rind necro-
sis were rated using a rating scale of 1 = none, 2 = slight
to moderate, and 3 = severe.
Number of marketable melons and total weight of
marketable melons per acre were analyzed by using the
general linear model procedure in SAS. Average market-
able melon weight, soluble sugar content, rind necrosis
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS
31
32 
ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
incidence, and hollow heart incidence were analyzed by
using the mixed procedure in SAS. Only melons weighing
10 pounds or more were included in the analyses of mar-
ketable yield. There were very few culls in this experi-
ment. None of the melons were rejected (culled) on the
basis of rind necrosis or hollow heart ratings because
most melons harvested during this study were not cut
open for internal observations.
Several cultivars that were not included in the repli-
cated trial were planted in plots along the edge of the
field for observation. Observational entries were repli-
cated three or four times but were not arranged in an
experimental design. One of the observational entries,
'Crimson Sweet', is not a triploid.
'SXW 5052', an unnamed, experimental entry from
Sunseeds, produced significantly greater marketable mel-
ons (93,000 pounds per acre) and significantly larger mel-
ons (15.1 pounds per melon) than 19 other entries. Yield
of 'Millionaire,' an entry with the second highest yield
(75,700 pounds per acre), was not significantly different
than 15 other entries. Only 'Diamond', 'Gem-Dandy', and
'Wrigley' (formerly Asgrow 9024) produced yields sig-
nificantly lower than 'Millionaire'. Average weight of
'Millionaire', the second largest melon (14.4 pounds per
melon), was significantly greater than all other entries
except 'Cooperstown' (formerly Asgrow 9033), averag-
ing 13.8 pounds per melon.
Melons in this study were lighter in weight than ex-
pected. Seed companies list most of these entries in the
expected weight range of 'Tri-X Brand 313', that is, 15 to
18 pounds. Average weight of marketable melons in our
study averaged 12.4 to 15.1 pounds. Melons less than 10
pounds were considered too small for the triploid market
and were not included in the analyses of marketable yield.
This affected marketable yield because total yield (total
yield is the sum of marketable yield plus culls) of several
entries included a higher percentage of small melons (see
figure). In contrast to marketable yield, there were no
significant differences in total yield for any of the 20 en-
tries or for any of the yield measurements (Table 1).
There were no significant differences between any
of the entries for number of marketable melons per acre,
which ranged from a high of 6,150 melons per acre for
'SXW 5052' to a low of 3,870 melons per acre for 'Dia-
mond'. The lowest yielding entries, in general, were also
the earliest to mature and produced the smallest melons.
The highest yielding entry, 'SXW 5052', was the latest to
mature and produced the largest melon.
Frequency plot of individual melon weights from seedless watermelon evaluation, northern Mississippi.
INDIVIDUAL MELON WEIGHTS
(Each circle represents the weight of one melon)
0
2 5 .... .............. ......... .. .. ...... .... ... 2
0
0 
?  
o0 o
0O 
000
2 0 .... .. .. .... . ... 
.. .. ... .. .. .... ..
._ 15. 0
-1ilcnar' t sci lrec el (4 ninc e aie d
N"-- C N M 0 ) D L) 0 0N C 'M d ' > -O
MO MN'.
c'_ oo 0 c? 53 "-~J 0
0O C 0 LO) 0) N N M C ) t C CO N 0 O- C 0
2OC" Co (9
a) CD ) 
Q C
m E N- E
XE E
-oo
Replicated Entries -Observational Entries-
" Cnrimson Sweet is a
diploid watermelon
32 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE 
VARIETY TRIALS 
33
Low melon weights may have resulted from the high
plant population, 2,904 plants per acre, used in this study.
In addition, the total N applied to the crop was 105 pounds
per acre and this may have been too low for this high
plant population. Weather during the study was unusu-
ally hot and dry, but this probably did not affect melon
size as irrigation was provided at the rate of one to two
acre-inches per week and vines remained green and
healthy throughout most of the harvest period.
In general, early-maturing entries produced small
melons and, thus, low yields. Some of the lowest yields
of marketable melons were produced by entries with the
earliest maturities (Table 2). In a similar manner, late-ma-
turing entries produced large melons and, thus, greater
marketable yields. 'SXW
5052', for example, pro-
duced the highest yield
and the largest melon,
and it was the latest-ma-
turing entry with only 16
percent of the marketable
yield harvested early.
Three other entries with
large melons, 'Million-
aire', 'Cooperstown', and
'Triple Crown', were also
some of the latest to ma-
ture with only 27, 22, and
32 percent, respectively,
of the marketable yield
harvested early. In addi-
tion, three out of five en-
tries with the smallest mel-
ons were some of the ear-
liest to mature. 'Dia-
mond', 'Genesis', and
'Gem-Dandy' produced
small melons with 65, 49,
and 50 percent, respec-
tively, of the marketable
yield harvested early. Not
all entries followed this
pattern of late maturity
and large size or early
maturity and small size.
Two entries with small
melons, 'Wrigley' and
'Constitution', matured
rather late with both hav-
ing only 29 percent of the
marketable yield har-
vested early.
Average soluble solids content ranged from a low of
11.5 to a high of 12.7. While this is not a wide range, there
were significant differences between entries. High soluble
solids contents were measured in 'Sapphire', 'Million-
aire', 'Tri-X Brand 313', 'Diamond', 'Constitution',
'Wrigley', 'RVM 8073-VP', and 'Tri-X Brand Carousel'
(Table 2). Compared to most other entries, 'SXW 5052'
was rather low at 11.7.
Rind necrosis and hollow heart were serious prob-
lems in this study. Average bacterial rind necrosis ratings
ranged from a low of 1.1 to a high of 1.9. 'SXW 5052' and
'Tri-X Brand 313' exhibited very low incidence of rind
necrosis. 'RVM 8073-VP', 'Willhite 4830', and 'XWT 7703'
exhibited rather high incidence of rind necrosis. The cause
TABLE 1. TOTAL YIELD AND AVERAGE MELON WEIGHT
Entry - Yield 1o Early harvest 2 Size
lbs/ac melons/ac % of total lbs/melon
Replicated trial
SXW 5052 95,300 6,390 16 14.9
Triple Crown 79,200 6,000 31 13.2
Millionaire 79,100 5,610 26 14.0
Crimson Trio 78,900 6,390 35 12.3
Summer Sweet 5244 78,200 6,150 34 12.7
Tri-X Brand Carousel 77,500 6,000 40 12.9
Cooperstown 76,500 5,760 21 13.3
Formerly Asgrow 9033
Tri-X Brand 313 76,100 6,200 42 12.3
Seedway 4502 75,800 5,810 37 
13.1
Constitution 75,100 6,200 31 12.2
RVM 8073-VP 72,600 5,710 30 12.7
Sapphire 71,200 5,760 50 12.4
Summer Sweet 5544 70,600 5,660 39 
12.4
Willhite 4830 70,200 5,610 42 12.5
Genesis 70,200 5,950 43 11.8
XWT 7703 70,100 5,710 46 12.3
SWT 8705 68,600 5,370 30 12.7
Wrigley 67,400 5,760 28 
11.7
Formerly Asgrow 9024
Gem-Dandy 66,800 5,710 47 11.6
Diamond 65,300 6,000 54 10.9
Isd (P=0.05)
3  
ns ns 13 0.7
Observational trial
Scarlet Trio 89,000 6,200 31 14.4
Triple Prize 87,200 6,780 30 12.9
Crimson Sweet 72,300 4,790 48 15.1
HMX 6910 68,200 5,940 23 11.5
W3010 60,800 5,030 27 12.1
Yield and size of melons based on melons greater than 10.0 pounds. Yield is based on a
plant population of 2,904 plants per acre (15 square feet per plant). Rows were spaced 7.5
feet apart with plants two feet apart in the row. Simple means reported except for size in
replicated trial, which is least squares means.
2 Approximately 35 percent of the total yield was harvested "early." Simple means reported.
3 Least Significant Difference (Isd) at P=0.05. Treatments not significantly different (ns).
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 33
of rind necrosis is unknown, and though the incidence stitution' had the highest (Table 
2). Hollow heart is unde-
of rind necrosis in our study was extensive, its occur- sirable, though it has been commonly associated 
with
rence overall is rare. triploid melons. In some of the more 
severe cases, cracks
Average hollow heart ratings ranged from a low of more than an inch wide that spread in 
several directions
1.1 to a high of 2.1. Many entries had low incidence of throughout the melon's interior 
were observed. A hollow
hollow heart, whereas 'Diamond', 'Sapphire', and 'Con- heart rating of 1.9 or more is unacceptable.
TABLE 2. MARKETABLE YIELD, AVERAGE MELON WEIGHT, AND QUALITY
Entry Early Soluble solids Rind Hollow
- Yield 1 harvest 2 Size content necrosis 
3  
heart 
3
lb/ac (melons/ac) (% of total) (lb/melon) (%)
Replicated trial 4
SXW 5052 93,000 6,150 16 15.1 11.8 1.2 1.1
Millionaire 75,700 5,230 27 14.4 12.6 1.5 1.2
Triple Crown 74,600 5,470 32 13.7 12.1 1.5 1.1
Tri-X Brand Carousel 72,900 5,420 41 13.5 12.3 1.3 1.2
Seedway 4502 72,100 5,370 38 13.5 11.7 1.6 1.1
Cooperstown 71,800 5,180 22 13.8 12.0 1.3 1.1
Formerly Asgrow 9033
Summer Sweet 5244 70,300 5,230 38 13.4 12.1 1.5 1.2
Crimson Trio 69,500 5,320 35 13.0 11.8 1.7 1.4
Constitution 67,900 5,370 29 12.7 12.4 1.6 1.9
Tri-X Brand 313 65,700 5,030 46 13.1 12.5 1.1 1.4
RVM 8073-VP 65,300 4,840 33 13.5 12.3 1.9 1.2
Summer Sweet 5544 63,500 4,840 41 13.1 12.1 1.3 1.1
SWT 8705 63,000 4,740 31 13.3 12.1 1.3 1.1
Willhite 4830 62,900 4,740 45 13.2 12.1 1.9 1.1
Sapphire 60,700 4,550 51 13.3 12.7 1.3 1.9
Genesis 60,400 4,740 49 12.7 11.5 1.5 1.2
XWT 7703 59,800 4,500 49 13.3 12.0 1.9 1.5
Wrigley 58,000 4,650 29 12.5 12.4 1.6 1.2
Formerly Asgrow 9024
Gem-Dandy 53,700 4,160 50 12.8 12.0 1.6 1.4
Diamond 48,100 3,870 65 12.4 12.5 1.7 2.1
Isd (P=0.05)
5  
16,600 ns 14 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.3
Observational trial
4
Scarlet Trio 86,400 5,870 32 14.7 11.4 1.2 1.8
Triple Prize 80,800 6,000 30 13.5 11.7 1.4 1.5
Crimson Sweet 68,100 4,310 50 15.8 12.0 1.1 1.1
HMX 6910 52,900 4,130 25 12.8 11.4 1.8 1.2
W3010 50,600 3,870 29 13.1 12.4 1.3 1.2
1 Yield and size of melons based on melons greater than 10.0 pounds. Yield based on plant population of 2904 plants
per acre (15 square feet per plant). Rows spaced 7.5 feet apart with plants two feet apart in the row. Simple means
reported except for size in replicated trial, which is least squares means.
2 Approximately 35 percent of the total marketable yield was considered "early." Simple means reported.
3 Rind necrosis and hollow heart incidence on a scale of I to 3 (1=none, 2=slight to moderate, 3=severe).
4 Average of at least three samples from each of four replications for the replicated trial or from each of three or four
replications for the observational trial. Least squares means reported for replicated trial and simple means for observa-
tional trial.
6 Least Significant Difference (Isd) at P=0.05. Treatments not significantly different (ns).
34 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT STATION
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE 
VARIETY TRIALS 
35
Seed Sources for Alabama Trials
Asgrow Seed Co.
To order: (800) 234-1056
Tech. Rep: Duaine E. Kief
412 Holly Hill Ct.
Tallahassee, FL 32312
Ph: (805) 570-1791
E-mail: duaine.kief@svseed.com
Tech Rep: Rusty Autry
2221 North Park Ave.
Tifton, GA 31796
Ph: (912) 392-0255
Tifton Seed Distribution Center
Tech. Rep: Van Lindsey
Ph: (912) 382-1815
Burpee
To order: 1-800-888-1447
300 Park Avenue
Warminster, PA 18991-0001
Ph: (800) 333-5805
Fax: (800) 487-5530
www.burpee.com
Harris Moran
To order: (209) 579-7333
Tech. Rep: Laura Isaac
P.O. Box4938
Modesto, CA 95352
Ph: (209) 579-7333
Harris Seeds
To order: (800) 544-7938
Tech Rep: Mark Willis
P.O. Box 22960
60 Saginow Dr.
Rochester, NY 14692-2960
Ph: (716) 442-0410
Fax: (716) 442-9386
Tech Rep: John Kemery
615 Weston Ridge Dr.
Walland, TN 37886-2010
Ph: (423) 681-3509
Fax: (423) 983-7034
E-mail:jkemery998@aol.com
Petoseed
To order: (850) 894-8026
Tech. Rep: Cameron Sutherland
6604 Tomy Lee
Tallahassee, FL 32308-1643
Ph:(850) 894-8026
Fax: (850) 894-8036
Rupp Seeds
To order: (800)700-1199
Tech. Rep: Roger Rupp
17919 County Road B
Wauseon, OH 43567
Ph: (419) 337-1841
Fax: (419) 337-5491
Sakata Seed America, Inc.
To order: (914) 369-0032
Tech. Rep: Atlee Burpee
P.O. Box 1103
Lehigh, FL 33970-1103
Ph: (941) 369-0032
Sandoz RogerslNovartis
To order: (912) 560-1863
Tech. Rep: Curt Pollard
Ph: (912) 560-1863, (912) 244-2922
E-mail: curt.pollar@seeds.novartis.com
Seneca Hybrids
P.O. Box 128
Hall, NY 14463
Ph: (716) 526-6398
Fax: (716) 526-5988
Sunseeds
Bob Miller
3261 S. Horizon Place
Chandler, AZ 85248
Fax: (480) 814-0982
Stokes Seeds Inc.
To order: (800) 263-7133
Tech. Rep: Joe Butwin
P.O. Box 548
Buffalo, NY 14240-0548
Fax: (905) 684-8499
Takii
Atsushi Yamanouchi
301 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906
Ph: (408) 443-4901
Willhite
To order: (800) 828-1840
Tech Rep: Don Dobbs
P.O. Box 23
Poolville, TX 76487
Fax: (817) 599-5843
FALL 2000 COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE VARIETY TRIALS 35

Guidelines for Contributions to
the Vegetable Variety Regional Bulletin
Vegetable variety evaluation and selection is an essential part of production
horticulture. The vegetable variety regional bulletin is intended to report results of
variety trials conducted by research institutions in the Southeast in a timely manner.
Its intended audience includes growers, research/extension personnel, and mem-
bers of the seed industry.
Timeliness and rapid turnaround are essential to better serve our audience.
Hence, two bulletins are printed each year: one in November with results from
spring crops, and another one in April with results from summer and fall crops. It is
essential that trial results are available before variety decisions for the next growing
season are made.
Here are a few useful guidelines to speed up the publication process for the
next regional bulletin (spring 2000).
When: September 25, 2001
Deadline for spring 2001 variety trial report submissions.
What: Results pertaining to variety evaluation in a broad sense. This includes field
performance, quality evaluation, anddisease resistance. Here are a few tips:
" Follow the format used in the first three regional bulletins.
" Include author's complete mailing address, e-mail address, and phone num-
ber.
" Follow your own unit's internal review process. Contributions will be ed-
ited, but not formally reviewed.
How: Send a disk and hard copy to:
Edgar Vinson or Joe Kemble
Department of Horticulture
101 Funchess Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5408
Or send e-mail to:
evinson@acesag.auburn.edu, or
jkemble@acesag.auburn.edu
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
1 North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, Verona, MS
2 Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station, Crystal springs, MS
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
3 Central Crops Research Station, Clayton, NC
4 Granville County Center, Oxford, NC
AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
5 Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center, Fairhope, AL
6 Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, Headland, AL
7 E.V. Smith Research Center, Shorter, AL
8 Chilton Area Horticulture Station, Clanton, AL
9 North Alabama Horticulture Research Center, Cullman, AL
10 Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center, Crossville, AL
I